How to Inspect the Septic Tank After Cleaning InspectAPedia® -
How to pump out / clean a septic tank, step by step photo-illustrated guide
Before starting, some safety warnings for septic pumpers and homeowners
When to pump, how to find the septic tank, inspect before opening the tank; removing the tank cover
How the pumper truck or vacuum truck is operated
Tank inspection before pumping; Actually pumping out the septic tank; inspections while pumping
Washing the septic tank after pumping
How & Why to Inspect the septic Tank after Pumping
Closing the septic tank, recording the septic tank location, advising homeowners
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Here we discuss the importance of inspecting the septic tank baffles and tank interior after septic tank pumping/cleaning. Cleaning the septic tank during tank pump-out can expose damage to
the septic tank sides and bottom that cannot otherwise be found.
This document provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks,
how a conventional septic tank is
located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected. This guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck
operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care.
Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved
to the author. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."
This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
Inspecting the Septic Tank Condition After Pumping
After pumping, the empty septic tank is inspected for damage such as damaged or missing baffles, cracks, or holes.
The right hand photo shows the septic tank intake baffle viewed from the cleanout port.
Warning: do not enter nor lean into the septic tank. We obtained this view using a remote
digital camera to see the condition of the tank baffles.
If the tank is cracked or the baffles missing or damaged, repairs may be needed.
Do not enter the septic tank as doing so is likely to cause death by asphyxiation by methane gas in the tank.
Special
breathing equipment and other safety measures are needed if a tank needs to be emptied.
Evidence of cracks, settlement, or damaged tank baffles may be seen after pumping. At this
time the operator can also confirm the tank size.
When a steel septic tank has been serviced by removing entire tank cover these conditions are
seen easily.
But normally a septic tank is pumped by through a center port intended for tank cleaning.
Some older concrete tanks which lack this port are pumped at the tank outlet opening but
possibly at the inlet.
Septic pumpers can easily fabricate a tool combining a pole, mirror,
and bright flashlight to inspect a tank interior.
We have had good success by inserting a digital camera into the tank and taking flash
photos. Most of the photos in this article were obtained by that method.
If septic tank damage is found such as cracking, it may be possible to repair the septic tank by cleaning the surfaces and
applying an appropriate masonry patching compound. But no one should enter the septic tank without proper equipment or
preparation as there is a real danger of death by asphyxiation by the methane gas remaining in the tank.
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website
Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
SPOTTING SEPTIC BREAKOUTS - Spotting Dyed Septic Effluent Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.