Septic Inspection: What to Expect and Why You Need It

November 28, 2023
1:06 pm

An Introduction

A septic system in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, and Anacortes, WA, is an integral part of many homes. Surprisingly, it’s also the most forgotten part of most homes. A septic tank is extremely easy to forget about when it’s working perfectly, but when concerns arise, it can be especially problematic.

A damaged septic system is not only hazardous to your property and household members but also a major expense to repair or replace. To avoid such problems, you should have a septic service in Washington perform a routine inspection.

If you’re a homeowner, continue reading as this blog explores how routine inspections can help to ensure that no unseen problems are waiting to become larger and help avoid costly repairs or even a complete septic system replacement.

The Vital Role of Septic Inspections

A septic tank inspection in Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and Oak Harbor, WA, analyze the system’s condition, identify any potential problems, and maintain its functioning. Here are a few reasons homeowners should have their septic tanks inspected by a professional:

It keeps your septic system in good working order, which ensures the safety of your household;
There is less chance of breakdowns.
Any issues can be located before they turn into large problems.
Your septic tank can last longer if regularly maintained, pumped, and inspected.

When and How Often to Schedule Inspections

Your septic tank in Anacortes, WA, needs timely inspection and pumping every 3-5 years to ensure it continues to operate effectively. However, the timeframe should only be used as a general guideline because it completely depends on the following factors:

Number of people in the household
Location of the tank
Total wastewater generated
The volume of solids in wastewater
The size, type, and age of the septic tank.

Speak to both the manufacturer of your system and your local regulatory body to find out more.

Some common signs that indicate your septic tank is full and in dire need of inspection are

1- Slow drains or slow-flushing toilets:

The first telltale sign of a filled septic tank in Anacortes, WA, is your drains emptying slowly, giving the impression that they may be jammed or something. Likewise, toilets that flush slowly also indicate a need for septic tank inspection in Whidbey Island, WA. If your septic issues are to the point of causing clogging and backups, you’re at risk of an expensive and unhygienic overflow issue. If you don’t address the problem quickly, it can lead to leaks in the drain fields, causing wastewater to gather in your yard.

2- Occurrence of sewage backups:

If you notice or smell black water(sewage and/or dirty water) in your bathtub, sinks, toilets, and showers, chances are that it’s a sewage backup, and your tank needs a septic inspection in Anacortes, Oak Harbor, and Whidbey Island, WA.

If your property has several different floors, you may notice this happening first in the basement or the drains of the first-floor drains.

3- Unpleasant sewage odors

This pointer is slightly obvious, but your nose is the most reliable judge for a filled septic tank. The odor is extremely strong, and unless you have a really bad cold or have lost your sense of smell, you can detect it as soon as you step outside your yard.

The concerned odor isn’t just sewage waste, though, as the septic system in Whidbey Island, WA, also collects wastewater from the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine.

4- Signs of standing water

If you discover puddles of water in your yard and it hasn’t rained lately, you need to schedule an immediate septic tank inspection in Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, and Anacortes, WA. After a long enough period of effluent buildup from poor drainage, the liquid overflows and reaches the soil. You definitely don’t want your children or pets to play in these puddles.

5- Patches of dark green grass surround the septic tank.

At first, it may seem like it’s completely normal for the grass surrounding your septic area to be greener and healthier than the rest of the lawn. So, if you notice that particular area of your garden looking lush, call a reliable septic service for inspection in Oak Harbor, WA. It could be a telling sign that your tank is filled to its maximum capacity.

If you notice any of the above signs, contact a credible septic tank service like Dirty Deeds Septic for pumping, cleaning, and inspection.

The Inspection Process

Usually, there are two types of septic inspections in Anacortes, Oak Harbor, and Whidbey Island, WA,

1- Visual Inspection:

These septic inspections are either a part of routine maintenance or a real estate purchase or sale. It starts with the expert inquiring basic details about the system and then moving inside to check the water flow in toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers for any possible drainage problems.

Lastly, the inspector checks the drain field and surrounding areas for problems like foul smell, standing water, or unusual growth of greenery and vegetation.

2- Full Inspection:

A full septic inspection includes everything in the visual inspection, plus a few additional assessments. It should be done every three to five years.

In this process, the professional inspector removes the septic tank cover and checks whether the water level is where it should be for effective operation. It may also include a dye test to evaluate drained water that enters the tank.

Lastly, your septic tank will be pumped to check for any backflow from the absorption area(which can indicate a problem with the drain field).

Here’s a list of things the inspector looks for,

The date of last septic tank inspection, cleaning, and pumping
Sludge level
Distance between the tank and drain field to any water sources.
Cracks, chips, or damages.
System size and drain line integrity.

3- Camera Inspections:

Some esteemed and qualified companies like Dirty Deeds Septic also provide an additional service called Camera Inspections, where they offer their customers the ability to inspect the issue through camera equipment. They’re also notified about how the repair methods will go down and an in-depth analysis of their septic system.

The fact that it’s time and money-effective is just the cherry on top!

Conclusion

If you are looking for a qualified and trustworthy septic service in Anacortes, WA, you’re at the right place. Dirty Deeds Septic is a veteran-owned business where any problems found in your septic system inspection in Oak Harbor, WA, are diagnosed correctly and fixed effectively in no time.

Our team of experienced septic professionals is competent, dedicated, and thoroughly trained. We ensure that any problems found in your septic system inspection in Whidbey Island, WA, are diagnosed correctly and fixed effectively the first time. We provide fast, reliable, and friendly service at affordable prices and are available 24/7, including emergencies!