What Is a Septic Inspection? Here’s Why You Need One
Around 26% of Pennsylvania homes have septic tank sewage systems, with the majority of septic tanks found in rural areas and older homes.
There is no shortage of older or rural homes in Northeast Pennsylvania, whether you are purchasing a home as far away as Berwick, Danville, Scranton, or anywhere in between.
On average, septic tanks last 20-40 years, depending on maintenance and other environmental factors. If you’re purchasing a home in Northeast Pennsylvania, it’s essential to conduct a septic tank inspection to protect you from future repairs and potential health issues.
This guide will discuss the importance of septic tank inspections and what to look for in a septic tank inspector.
How Do Septic Tanks Work?
Septic systems are responsible for separating effluent (liquid waste) from wastewater and discharging solid matter into a drain field, where it is reabsorbed into the soil.
Each septic tank is made of a large concrete or polyethylene basin that holds the wastewater and pumps that divert and discharge effluent to its intended location.
Unfortunately, these basins can crack or fracture over time due to environmental conditions and soil compaction. Pumps can also become clogged or dirty as they wear out due to natural use.
Homeowners who don’t clean their pumps and filters or get routine inspections of their septic systems could leave them liable to damage that could become costly or result in backflows that cause sewage to seep out of the system.
What Is a Septic Inspection?
A septic inspection evaluates the condition of your septic tank sewage system. An inspector will examine key elements of the tank, including the basin, drain field, and piping, to ensure they are free from blockages, leaks, or other potential problems.
There are typically two levels of septic inspections you should be aware of:
- Visual Inspections: These are often part of routine maintenance checks or a general home inspection. They involve a simple examination of the tank’s surface conditions to look for signs of leakage and ask questions about the system’s performance.
- Full Inspections: A comprehensive septic inspection is a separate inspection that involves opening the tank, checking sludge levels, examining the drain field, and possibly using cameras to inspect pipes and other internal mechanisms.
A full septic inspection is always recommended when purchasing a home with a septic tank system, as a visual inspection does not provide the proper details to evaluate the system’s condition.
Why Do You Need a Septic Inspection?
A septic inspection should never be avoided, as repairs can be costly, and the potential hazards could be life-threatening.
- Prevention of Costly Repairs
According to Forbes, the average cost of a septic tank repair is around $1,775. However, more extensive repairs could end up costing thousands of dollars more.
A septic inspection allows you to avoid repairs by negotiating for the seller to pay for the repairs or subtracting them from the total cost of the home.
- Visual Inspections Don’t Go Far Enough
Visual inspections and general home inspections cannot possibly give you an accurate assessment of the condition of a septic tank, as most of its components are internal and burning underground. From inspecting internal pumps to drain fields, a septic inspection provides a full 360-degree view of your septic system.
- Health and Safety Concerns
A malfunctioning septic system can pose serious health risks, including backflows that mix sewage water with groundwater. If your home relies on well water, this can severely impact the quality of your family’s drinking water and put your health at risk. A septic inspection can prevent such issues, ensuring that your system is treating wastewater safely and effectively.
- Extending the Life of Your Septic System
Regular septic inspections help extend the life of your system by catching problems early. Well-maintained septic systems can last for decades, but neglecting inspections can shorten their lifespan significantly and leave you on the hook for costly repairs. By having your system inspected and pumped on a recommended schedule (usually every 5-10 years), you can ensure it continues to operate efficiently for years to come.
How to Choose a Septic Tank Inspector
Choosing the right septic inspector is crucial for maintaining your septic system and avoiding costly repairs. Here are some tips for searching for a septic inspector in Northeast PA.
- PSMA Certification: The Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA) is a professional qualification for septic system inspectors, ensuring that they are trained in the best practices for evaluating septic systems. PSMA-certified inspectors must complete rigorous training and pass exams that test their knowledge of how septic systems operate and how to identify potential problems. Certified inspectors follow the highest standards in the industry, which can give you confidence in the quality and accuracy of their inspection.
- Experience: Proper experience can inform inspectors of issues that most people would not be able to identify or see.
- Knowledge: Search for an inspector who not only provides you with a helpful overview, but also actionable information.
Mountain to Valley Home Inspections is a PSMA-certified inspector with decades of experience servicing septic systems and all home inspection needs. Contact us today for your free quote on a septic tank inspection in NEPA.
FAQs
How often should I have a septic inspection?
Septic systems should be inspected every three to five years, depending on usage and the size of the system. Inspections may be needed more frequently for larger households or older systems.
What does a full septic inspection involve?
A full inspection involves accessing the septic tank, measuring sludge and scum levels, inspecting the system components, and checking the drain field for signs of issues.
What is a PSMA certification?
PSMA certification indicates that a septic inspector has undergone specialized training and adheres to industry standards, ensuring a thorough and accurate inspection.
Advantages of Using Drones for Home Inspections
Home inspection drones are one of the most significant improvements in the home inspection field in recent years. Using high-resolution imagery and the ability to fly anywhere without disturbing the property, our technicians can use home inspection drones to analyze roofs, chimneys, and attics like never before.
Learn more about the benefits of a home inspection drone for your Northeast Pennsylvania property and why it pays to partner with a home inspector that uses the latest drone technology.
What Are Home Inspection Drones?
Home inspection drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras and additional sensors, such as thermal imaging, to assist in property inspections. These drones can provide detailed aerial views of properties, including difficult-to-reach areas such as roofs, tall chimneys, and the upper portions of large homes, without disturbing these areas.
With recent improvements in drone technology, these cameras can provide high-resolution images that surpass ordinary cameras. Furthermore, thermal imaging and multispectral sensors allow drones to determine home heat patterns to see where heat loss may occur.
These advancements allow home inspectors to dive deeper beyond traditional means to give you a genuinely 360-degree look at any property you get inspected.
Benefits of Using Drones in Home Inspections
Home inspection drones offer numerous advantages compared to traditional inspection methods. Below are some of the key benefits:
1. High-Resolution Imagery
Modern drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that can capture crisp images and videos, allowing inspectors to identify and illustrate potential issues to their clients. As previously stated, many of these cameras are even more sophisticated than you will find on modern iPhones and professional cameras, allowing technicians to provide crystal-clear documentation of any issues they find.
2. Improved Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas
Roofs, chimneys, and other high-up places may be difficult for inspectors to access, preventing them from getting an accurate image or risking their safety. Even if an inspector can make their way to a roof, it can be difficult to examine every part, such as the top of a chimney or gable that may be on a steep pitch. Drones bypass these obstacles, allowing inspectors to gain full access to these areas without any limitations.
3. Increased Safety for Inspectors
Home inspection drones are also safer for inspectors, reducing liability for each party. Inspectors often have to climb ladders, walk on sloped roofs, and navigate precarious heights to complete an inspection. Drones eliminate these demands, placing everybody in greater safety.
4. Time and Cost Efficiency
Drone inspections save both time and money, which can save the client time and money. A typical roof inspection might take an inspector several hours, especially if it involves climbing and documenting various sections. With a drone, the same inspection can be completed in a fraction of the time and at a lower cost.
5. Thermal Imaging
Many home inspection drones are equipped with thermal sensors that allow inspectors to diagnose the heat profile of a property. This enables them to determine if there is anywhere where heat is escaping, or cool drafts are entering, which could impact your energy bills and comfort.
Common Examples of How Drones Are Used in Home Inspections
Drones are versatile tools that can perform a variety of inspection tasks. Here are some examples of how they are commonly used in home inspections:
1. Roof Inspections
Our team at Mountain to Valley Home Inspections uses home inspection drones for roof inspections daily. Using home inspection drones, we can assess the condition of shingles, check for cracks, look for leaks, analyze flashing, and identify any potential leaks. The aerial view provides a comprehensive picture of the entire roof, which is often hard to achieve with traditional methods.
2. Gutter Assessments
Drones can also be used to inspect gutters, which many homeowners don’t think much about. However, blocked or misaligned gutters can cause drainage issues that impact your foundation.
An aerial view of your gutters can identify blockages caused by leaves or other debris. It can also be used to videotape drainage patterns as water escapes to see where any potential issues may lie.
3. Heat Loss and Energy Efficiency Checks
Drones equipped with thermal cameras allow us to analyze a home’s thermal profile and provide a more accurate assessment of its energy efficiency.
4. Structural Assessments
Finally, drones can also help us assess the general structural integrity of a property. We use them to look for cracks in the foundation, assess siding conditions, or evaluate the overall exterior of the home.
A home inspection drone benefits inspectors in many ways, which then gets passed on to the consumer. For more information about our home inspection drones, contact us today to see how they can assist you on your next home inspection.
FAQs
Are drone inspections safe?
Yes, drone inspections are generally safer than traditional methods since they eliminate the need for inspectors to climb ladders or walk on roofs, reducing the risk of accidents.
Do drone inspections provide accurate results?
Absolutely. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors provide detailed images and data, making it easier to identify issues that might be missed during a traditional inspection.
Are drones allowed to inspect any property?
The use of drones is subject to regulations, which can vary by location. Inspectors need to follow guidelines set by aviation authorities and may need permission to fly in certain areas.