Keystone Inspection Service

Navigation:
Home
About Us
Services
Fees
Mail Call
Contact Us
Request an Inspection
Real Estate Professionals
Additional Resources:
Choosing An Inspector
Moving Supplies
Mold Definitions
More About Mold
* NEW! * PADEP Radon levels by Zip Code
Septic System Handbook

To View Your Report:

Proper septic evaluation is difficult. No evaluation will be 100% accurate. The more information and visibility the inspector has for the inspection, however, the better he can perform his job and the more accurate the evaluation will be.

The following is requested of the seller/Listing realtor prior to the evaluation:

Do NOT have the system pumped or cleaned PRIOR to the inspection

Have the tank exposed and available to be opened

Have location of drain fields marked if not obvious

EVALUATION METHOD

Prior to the hydraulic loading of the system (adding water and dye), the tank levels are checked and recorded. A tank level below the outlet indicates a breach in the tank. A level above or into the outlet indicates a saturated field.

The drain field is probed to determine the effluent level in the field. A level more than 2" into the stone suggests field saturation.

The conditions of the baffles are observed. Damaged baffles adversely affect the solids distribution in the treatment tank and possible entry of solids to the drain field (exit baffle).

If the above conditions are acceptable, hydraulic loading of the system now begins.

Hydraulic loading is the introduction of a pre-determined amount of water - with a tracer dye - into the system. The fluid amount is based on the number of bedrooms and is calculated at 50 gallons per bedroom, plus an additional 50 gallons if the house is unoccupied.

The levels in the tank and field are monitored during and after the hydraulic loading. A rapid rise in the tank level usually indicates a line blockage to the field (the closer the blockage, the more rapid the rise). If the treatment tank level rise is gradual, it normally indicates a blockage further into the field or a saturated (which would be confirmed during the probing of the field). Occasionally partial saturation of the field is noted, indicating a blocked lateral or out of level distribution box.

On systems found to be marginal, it is suggested that a full 400 gallon/day for two (2) days hydraulic loading test be done as further evaluation.