SEPTIC INSPECTION

Buying a home is an exciting, stressful and an emotional process. Before you buy a home it's important to know the state of every system that you are purchasing.   A septic system plays a vital role in the overall performance of your plumbing system and your property's health and safety conditions. Because your septic system is buried underground, a professional inspection is needed to thoroughly assess its condition, maintenance history and likely future performance. Inspection includes:

All septic systems contain 3 components:

I. Treatment tank or septic tank

The buried tank is designed to handle all flow from the building. The tanks are of two types – aerobic (mechanical agitation) or anaerobic (tranquil). Most systems will be of the anaerobic type. Both types are designed to allow for the containment and breakdown of the solid wastes from the dwelling.  


Tanks are generally concrete, metal or fiberglass with a line that enters from the house (inlet) and a line that exits the tank (outlet). Both lines have baffles installed. The inlet baffle forces the solids to the base of the tank. The outlet baffle prohibits floating solids (scum layer) from exiting the tank and entering the distribution system or piping.

  • Inspection of the tank will include:


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II. Distribution System

Series of pipes that transport the fluids (effluent) from the treatment tank to the absorption area


The system may be gravity fed with lines from the tank to a d-box or may be a lifting or dosing type of distribution system with a tank that holds a pump.

  • Inspection of the Distribution System will include:


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III. Absorption Areas

Absorption is the means by which the liquid is dispensed to the underlying soil. This is the most important component of the system because it is the most expensive to replace. Absorption systems or areas can include cesspools, seepage pits, seepage beds, trenches, and sand mounds.

  • Cesspools
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  • Seepage Pits
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  • Seepage Beds
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  • Seepage Trenches
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  • Elevated Sand Mounds
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  • Inspection of the absorption area will include:


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REPORT

Report to follow PSMA and NJSMA format as discussed previously with inclusion of site maps and any additional information pertaining to maintenance we deem applicable. Also inclusion of pictures (digital camera) when needed to document problems or concerns.


Our Technicians are PSMA certified.