Question:

What does everyone use for truck tank levels? My truck has a sight glass, which, once dirty, is useless. Any other ideas?

 

Answers:

Sight glasses and keep cleaning them. Small PSI gauge and do the math?

 

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Garnet Instruments makes an electronic liquid level indicator.

I have always used sight glasses and kept them clean, which has worked great. But in my area everyone charges by the gallon, which has led to more than a few people lying about gallons to their customers and at the disposal site. So four or five years ago on my last four trucks, I have had the Moro Accu-Level tank level indicator installed. You’re able to show customers exactly what’s on your truck before you get started and after you finish. It leaves no questions in anyone’s mind. I like it so much that on my last truck I didn’t even have sight glasses installed.

 

Question:

What are some things you provide with septic inspections? I know everyone does it a little differently.

 

Answers:

A bill! All joking aside, the bill is certainly the most important. Most all of the real estate customers I’ve dealt with have their own specific forms and things they want filled out, so I cater to their exact needs. It’s usually the lenders that call for inspections and they are glad to tell you exactly what they want. Just like everything else in this business, make them happy by giving them exactly what they want and price it accordingly so that you’re just as happy when you make the deposit!

 

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NOWRA (National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association) provides a guideline for septic inspections that I feel covers what most pumpers should be looking for. It may vary slightly depending on your part of the country.

 

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The NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Transporters) has a certification program that has forms with it. It is a pretty basic program.

 

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The most important statement to include in your septic system report is to state that the inspection report is based on current usage, and not a guarantee that the system will continue to perform in the same manner for the next owner. I always state that the system should be checked in one year so a pumping schedule can be determined based on the new owner’s usage.

If there is not a water meter to determine usage, adding one is the only way to protect yourself if the new owner has problems with a system you have passed. I had another pumper tell a customer the system I had passed was garbage. It turns out the homeowner ran the water well dry. The previous owner had never had a problem with either the well or septic.