In past columns, I have discussed the need for and the use of standard inspection methods for various levels of inspection. Levels or types of inspections include a cursory visual inspection, operating inspection, code compliance inspection and a warranty or guarantee inspection. These types of inspections can overlap or be part of additional activities, such as troubleshooting problems, or can stand on their own to meet some type of requirement, such as inspections for real estate transfer.

It continues to be important that all parties to the inspection understand the purpose and standards followed for the inspection performed so that results are not misinterpreted by the homeowner, buyer or permitting authority. I have long been a proponent of operating-level inspections for real estate transfer and inspections to determine maintenance needs and schedules.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Simply stated, an operation-level inspection is based on the current condition of the system and reflects whether system components are in good condition and working the way they should. I ask the question: Is each component well maintained and working as it should to move water from one part of the system to the next?

For a gravity system, the operation-level inspection needs to determine if wastewater is moving from the house to the septic tank. Are all house water sources connected to the system or are there some delivered elsewhere? Is the septic tank structurally sound and watertight? Is it operating at the proper level and delivering effluent to the distribution boxes or dropboxes? And then is water from the distribution boxes or dropboxes moving to the treatment trenches or bed?

These conditions can be determined by opening all the components and running or introducing water to the system. Investigating water sources in the house and turning them on while observing whether the water reaches the tank can be done with or without the use of dye. Similarly, opening the tank and distribution boxes as water is moving through the system will demonstrate if they are operating as they should or if there are any backups, slowdowns or backyard surfacing.

A list of items to be evaluated for each of the components is followed to make sure that not only is the water moving through the system, but each of the components is also in operating condition. For example, septic tank baffles are present and not deteriorated, piping enters and leaves the tank at the proper level and the distribution boxes are not deteriorated.

A MORE COMPLEX SYSTEM

Many systems today have additional components that involve pump tanks or chambers, pumps and the associated controls to ensure the proper amount of effluent is delivered when the pump is turned on. With pumps in the system, the operation inspection becomes more complicated.

First, determine if the pump is operating on demand or with a timer. On demand means the pump turns on and delivers a predetermined dose to the system. With a timer, the pump only operates for a set amount of time at set time periods.

For on demand, the pump will turn on every time the amount of water for a single dose is delivered. Typically, the amount of the dose is set at about one-fourth the estimated daily flow. The disadvantage of this approach is that water is not used equally throughout the day. So in the morning and evening, more than one dose could be delivered to the soil treatment part of the system in a short time, putting unnecessary stress on the soil treatment unit.

Using a timer spreads delivery of the water to soil treatment unit system more evenly during the day. This may require a larger pump tank because water needs to be stored in the tank until the timer allows the pump to run. In recent years, there has been increased use of advanced pretreatment components using timers to deliver effluent to the next component or soil treatment unit. This makes the inspection process more complicated.

In an on-demand system, determining whether the pump is operating can rely on an evaluation of electrical connections and the presence of floats, including an alarm float. By lifting the floats, pump operation can be observed. Does water move out of the tank to the soil treatment unit? Similarly, you can evaluate whether the alarm triggers by lifting the alarm float. The pump chamber or tank should be evaluated, as with the septic tank, to make sure it is structurally sound, all openings are watertight and all electrical connections are waterproof with connections made outside the tank.

CHECK WITH SERVICE PROVIDER

Unless the inspector of a timer system is also the service provider, the inspector may not have access to the timer settings for the system. And as with any system, running water through the system must be done with care to avoid causing damage. The inspector should contact the service provider for information on when the system was serviced, repairs completed, etc., to determine if the system is operating as it should. The tank and electrical connections should be evaluated for any potential problems.

As systems become more complicated, the protocols and methods of inspection need to change. Standards will need to be changed and upgraded to reflect how each new component can be evaluated.