Indoor Steps to Take During a Septic Loading & Dye Test InspectAPedia® -
How to perform a septic loading & dye test, step by step
What to do before, during, and after the test
How much septic dye to use
How to avoid making a mess indoors with septic dye powder
How to report septic test results
Septic Test warnings and pitfalls
Questions & answers about handling septic dye: overflows, leaks, and cleanup
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Septic dye handling: This septic testing article series provides details of the Septic Loading and Dye Test procedure for testing the function of
septic systems, focused on condition of the effluent disposal section, also known as a leach field, seepage pits,
drainfield or drainage field.
Septic System Loading and Dye Tests often requested by certain lenders, involve flushing a special dye down a toilet or
other drain combined with a known quantity of water sufficient to put a working load on the absorption system.
If waste water leaks to the ground surface (an unsanitary condition indicating serious septic failure) one may find dye
in that water provided the septic system is flowing at common rates.
Also
see SEPTIC DYE TEST WARNINGS. Use of this information at other websites is prohibited; reproduction in electronic or printed form is prohibited.
HOW TO PERFORM a SEPTIC DYE TEST - Tips for Avoiding Making an Indoor Mess with Septic Dye Powder
Tips for Avoiding an Indoor Septic Dye Test Catastrophe
Watch out: Overflowing green or red septic dye into a building can create a horrible mess that is difficult to clean up. Above we already warned to be sure that the toilet flushes without overflowing before placing any septic dye into the fixture.
The mess you see on the outside of the Pylam Fluorescent Green septic dye container (left) is evidence of how difficult it is to handle septic dye powder without making a mess. But because of inadequacies of using the neater dye tablets, many inspectors still prefer to use septic dye powder.
Be careful placing septic dye powder into the toilet - do it gently and with nearby windows closed and fans off. Septic dye powder is so very fine that it is easy to accidentally get septic dye powder dust on other building surfaces.
If you do find that septic dye powder has spilled onto the toilet rim it is usually easy to wipe it off with a wad of damp toilet tissue. If you find that dye powder has spilled onto a non-glazed tile floor you might need a dilute bleach solution to complete the cleanup. If you spilled septic dye onto a towel or drywall, good luck!
Wrapping Septic Dye into Packets to Avoid a Mess
Home inspector Arlene Puentes, agreeing that septic dye tablets can be ineffective (or you need too many) for a septic loading and dye test, uses septic dye powder. But to avoid spilling powder in the building, Puentes pre-wraps each dose of septic dye powder in a water soluble packet.
To wrap septic dye powder Puentes recommends Super Solvy™, a water soluble stabilizer used in sewing. SuperSolvy™ is a water-soluble synthetic plastic-like material used in quilting and embroidery or for other sewing applications to stiffen the fabric. It will dissolve in water. The manufacturer assures that the product is non toxic, and will dissolve in cool water in five to ten minutes.
As our photographs show, we tested Super Solvy™ in the InspectAPedia.com forensic laboratory, confirming that in less than 60 seconds the plastic-like material had dissolved, leaving an opaque goop in our 8 ounces of tap water. - Thanks to Arlene Puentes for providing our test sample.
Inspect Indoors After Starting the Septic Dye Test
Watch out: remember to inspect indoors at the plumbing fixture where septic dye was flushed, at the plumbing fixture where septic dye test water is being run (to assure no backup, overflow, or indoor flood), and also in rooms below that plumbing fixture, all the way to the building basement or crawl space.
If you fail to make an indoor inspection while running the septic loading and dye test you risk overflowing from a plumbing fixture or from a leaky drain pipe that damages the building. The presence of septic dye in the test water may even make it easier to spot an indoor plumbing drain pipe leak, as our photo (left) demonstrated.
If you don't understand what a colorful mess an indoor septic dye test can make, take a look at this red septic dye puddle found outdoors during one of our septic tests and this green septic dye puddle found outdoors, courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.
At INSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS we continue with details of exactly how to conduct a septic dye test.
Also see The Septic Information Website -
and see Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance online book on inspecting and maintaining septic systems,
of which the document is a chapter.
Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers are listed at "References."
Comments and suggestions for content are welcome.
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about handling septic dye: overflows, leaks, and cleanup
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
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Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
Ultra Solvy™, SuperSolvy™ (instructions for using SuperSolvy), or Sulky®Solvy™, Sulky of America, 3113 Broadpoint Drive, Harbor Heights, FL 33983 - Web Search 06/15-2010 original source: http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/solvy.php -Sulky of America only sells direct to Distributors. This product can be purchased at these retail outlets
Speed Stitch, Inc.
(866) 829-7235
www.speedstitch.com
Uncommon Thread, Inc.
(877) 294-5427
www.uncommonthread.com
Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
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.)
...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF.
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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