Septic Systems

By Frank G. Ross

In areas not served by a local municipality, waste water and effluent are treated in a septic tank and the water seeps back into the soil.  During a visual home inspection the overall condition of the septic system and leaching bed cannot be fully evaluated.  However, a few indications of possible problems can be detected by someone with an understanding of the basics of how a septic system works.

The septic tank is a large watertight container normally made of concrete that serves as a holding tank which allows sewage to be decomposed by bacterial action into a liquid and sludge. The sludge settles to the bottom, scum rises to the top and the liquid is dispersed into the leaching bed. As a general rule a septic tank should be no closer than five feet from the house and at least 55 feet from a well.

The leaching bed, also known as the leaching field, is a network of connected, perforated pipes surrounded by filtering material such as soil, gravel or sand.  The leaching field will be the place that signs of possible problems with the septic system will be evident.

• Extra plant growth over the leaching field can be a sign that the field is saturated or still contains organic material
• Brown or burn patches of grass may indicate the system is too full
• Sewage odors may mean solids are not breaking down or the water is not properly draining
• Leaching bed is wet and spongy may be an indication there is too much water in the system
• Black oily liquid on the surface or waste water backing up into the house are serious problems indicating possible clogged pipes, too much water or solids not breaking down.

A few tips for ensuring a long life for your septic system are:

• Don’t flush cooking grease, cigarette butts, paper towels, or diaper wipes
• Don’t wash dishes and do multiple loads of laundry in one day
• Divert water such as rainwater runoff away from the leaching field
• Waste water from a water softener does not break down and may clog the system
• Dispose of chemicals and fuels at approved waste sites and use environmentally friendly products
• Establish a schedule for regular maintenance

As with any other system in the home, with proper maintenance and operation long life can usually be expected. If you see any questionable signs in your septic system seek further evaluation by a licensed septic tank cleaning company.

Frank Ross is a Certified Utah Home Inspector for Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection and a full member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  Readers may contact Mr. Ross at (435) 867-6400 or frank.ross@pillartopost.com.  You can learn more about Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection at www.pillarposthomeinspection.com