{"id":18206,"date":"2020-10-18T10:20:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-18T17:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/clark\/?page_id=18206"},"modified":"2020-10-22T06:24:13","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T13:24:13","slug":"inspecting-your-septic-system","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/clark\/naturalresources\/smallacreageprogram\/inspecting-your-septic-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspecting Your Septic System"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Protecting Your Investment – Inspecting Your Septic System<\/h6>\n

Maintaining your septic system is just like taking care of your car: regular inspection and care significantly impacts how well it works and how long it lasts.\u00a0 Like a car, a septic system is an investment.\u00a0 Many homeowners give little thought to what goes on underground in their septic system, but repair or replacement can cost more than some of today’s cars!<\/p>\n

\"\"Failing septic systems are generally caused by poor maintenance.\u00a0 Regular preventative maintenance cost very little in comparison to repair or replacement.\u00a0 \u00a0Maintenance also protects the health of your family, the community and the environment.\u00a0 Failing septic systems release untreated wastewater into the environment and contaminate nearby wells, groundwater, stream and other surface waters.\u00a0 Contact with untreated human waste can pose a serious health treat for humans and animals.<\/p>\n

It is the landowner\u2019s responsibility to see that their system is properly maintained through regular inspection and pumping. Regular inspection of the septic tank is the most important maintenance a homeowner can perform. Inspection of the sludge and scum layers is the only way to determine when a tank requires pumping. The inspection can be conducted by a licensed septic inspector or by you the homeowner, if you have a gravity fed system, but it must be done every three years. Septic tank inspectors and pumpers can be found in the yellow pages or on the Internet. A list of licensed inspectors and pumpers in Clark County can also be obtained from Clark County Public Health. If you choose to conduct the inspection yourself, a licensed inspector must conduct the next inspection. Inspecting the septic tank is not a pleasant job but can be done relatively easily following the steps outlined below.<\/p>\n

\"\"Measuring the Scum Level<\/h6>\n

Calculating the distance between the bottom of the scum layer and the bottom of the outlet baffle or tee will determine whether your septic tank requires pumping.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Establish a convenient reference point, such as a stick laid on the ground across the hole at the top of the holding tank.<\/li>\n
  2. Attach a 3″ x 1″ x 2″ board at the bottom of a six-foot stick and lower it down through the outlet tee of the compartment.\u00a0 Hook the 1″ x 2″ board against he bottom lip of the baffle and mark the stick where it crosses the reference point.\u00a0 This is the baffle stick (Figure 1).<\/li>\n
  3. Attach a 6″ square board to the bottom of a second stick at least six feet long.\u00a0 This is the scum stick (Figure 1).<\/li>\n
  4. From the manhole of the first compartment of the tank, work the stick through the scum layer.\u00a0 This is best accomplished by starting at a 45-degree angle and straightening the stick once the board is through eh scum layer (Figure 2).<\/li>\n
  5. Raise the stick slowly until you feel or see the stick contact the bottom of the scum layer.<\/li>\n
  6. Mark your stick at the reference point to indicate the bottom of the scum layer.<\/li>\n
  7. Lay the baffle stick and scum stick side by side with the reference marks lined up.\u00a0 The distance between the bottom of each stick represents the distance left between the bottom of the scum layer an the outlet baffle (“A” in Figure 2).<\/li>\n
  8. If the two marks are three inches or less apart, the tank needs to be pumped out.\u00a0 If the top of the scum is within one inch of the top of the outlet baffle, the tank needs to be pumped.<\/li>\n
  9. Lay the baffle stick aside for later comparison with the sludge level stick.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Measuring the Sludge Level<\/h6>\n

    This will help you determine the distance from the bottom of the outlet baffle or tee to the top of the sludge layer.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Tightly wrap a white rag or old towel around the bottom three feet of a stick at least six feet long, and fasten it with tape or string.\u00a0 This is the sludge stick.<\/li>\n
    2. Carefully lower the stick tot he bottom of the first compartment.\u00a0 To avoid pushing it through the scum layer, lower the stick behind the outlet baffle or through the outlet tee.<\/li>\n
    3. Hold the stick in the tank for a few minutes to allow sludge particles to adhere to the towel.\u00a0 Mark the stick at the reference point to indicate the bottom of the tank.<\/li>\n
    4. Remove the stick carefully and note a distinct dark stain on the towel representing the sludge layer.<\/li>\n
    5. Lay the sludge stick beside the baffle stick lining up the top marks.<\/li>\n
    6. Measure the distance from the bottom of the scum stick to the top of the dark stain on the sludge stick.\u00a0 This represents the distance between the top of the sludge layer and the button of the outlet baffle (“B” om Figure 2).<\/li>\n
    7. If the distance is 12 inches or less, your tank needs to be pumped.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \"\"<\/h6>\n
      Inspecting the Baffles<\/h6>\n
        \n
      1. Remove the inspection covers over the inlet, outlet and crossover baffles.\u00a0 Inspect the baffles to ensure they’re present and not severely corroded.\u00a0 If the baffles are concrete and molded into the rest of the tank, venting holes should be present and unobstructed.<\/li>\n
      2. The inlet baffle should be unobstructed and the pipe well sealed to the tank.<\/li>\n
      3. The outlet baffle should be unobstructed and the liquid level should be a the bottom of the pipe, not below the pipe or well above the bottom of the pipe.\u00a0 The pipe must be well sealed to the tank.<\/li>\n
      4. The crossover baffle should also be free of obstruction.<\/li>\n
      5. Have the baffles replaced if they are in poor condition or missing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Properly sited, designed, constructed and maintained septic systems can provide efficient, economical and long-lasting on-site wastewater treatment.\u00a0 Keep accurate records of the location of your septic system, as well as dates when the system was inspected and pumped.\u00a0 Maintaining your septic system will protect your investment, save money and protect your family, the community and the environment.<\/p>\n

        Adapted by Erin Harwood, WSU Clark County Extension (2005) \u2013 Updated 2020<\/p>\n

        If you would like additional information on well maintenance or drinking water contact:<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

        Small Acreage Program<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n