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Here we describe the parameters of different types and levels of septic system inspections, including pre purchase home inspections of a septic system that rely on visual inspection alone, septic loading and dye tests, and more thorough septic system level 0, 1, and 2 inspections. This website answers just about any question you might have about buying or owning a house with a septic system.

We give in-depth information about conventional septic tanks, drain fields, septic pipes, and septic waste handling. This page organizes and links to our detailed septic system inspection, test, repair, and design articles, including our online septic systems book. Septic testing class presentations, photos, sketches, tables, links to products and consultants are provided. If you do not quickly find here information you need, ask by email. [Above photograph shows the start of a septic dye test.]

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Levels of Septic System Inspection and Testing

Anyone inspecting septic systems MUST be familiar with the hazards and safety concerns discussed at SEPTIC SYSTEM SAFETY WARNINGS

LEVEL-0 Septic Inspections - Basic Visual, Loading & Dye Test - Home Inspection Procedures

• This level of inspection is typically provided during a "home inspection" for real estate transactions.
  
  
• A VISUAL ONLY Septic System Inspection Includes: Basic visual inspection and reporting of information (Performed by home inspector or other expert) (Some municipalities require this test be performed only by specifically licensed septic contractors or engineers.) Notice that the photo demonstrates that an astute septic system inspector can detect evidence of failure from site conditions alone in some instances.
  
  
• A VISUAL PLUS LOADING DYE TEST Septic System Inspection Includes: - Visual + Dye test and system loading. Warning: using an inadequate amount of tracer dye or an insufficient volume of water for this test will make it meaningless.
  
  Therefore ordering a "stand-alone" septic loading and dye test of a system should be expected to cost considerably more than such a test which can be performed overlapped in time with other Building inspection services. Beware of quick, minimal tests which place only a small volume of liquid into the system (perhaps 50 gallons over 10 or 15 minutes).

The minimum quantities of water and septic dye needed are discussed in a separate chapter at Septic Loading and Dye Test Procedure Details - a chapter of "Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems".

ADDITIONAL LEVELS OF INSPECTION for real estate transactions and for problem diagnosis and bidding prior to actual repair work.

Level 1 Septic System Inspections - Visual, Open Covers, Inspect Equipment, Loading & Dye Test

• A Level 1 Septic System Inspection is comprised of the following:

  1. The steps in a Level 0 inspection which we described above
     
     
  2. Additional visual inspection steps to open accessible covers & inspect equipment.
     
     
  3. Septic Dye Test: This inspection usually include a septic loading and dye test. If a dye test is to be performed it must be done before the system is pumped or further inspected - otherwise the loading test cannot test the absorption system.
     
     
  4. Septic Tank Pumping: In some states such as Pennsylvania, a Level-1 Septic Inspection may include requiring tank pump out and inspection.

A level 1 Septic Inspection can be performed by a home inspector or other expert. Some municipalities require this test be performed only by specifically licensed septic contractors or engineers. This is the Pennsylvania PSMA definition for level-1.

If septic tank pumping is required, such as in PA, the inspector should be present before, during, and after tank pumping in order to observe important indications of septic system condition such as damaged or missing baffles, baffle overrun, abnormal septic tank levels, or backflow into the septic tank during pumpout.

Also see our Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining & Designing Residential Septic Systems - Septic Systems Online Book

Level 2 Septic System Inspection Includes - Visual, Open, D-Box, Pump & Inspect Septic Tank

• A Level-2 Septic System Inspection is comprised of:

  1. The steps in a Level 0 septic system inspection and
     
     
  2. The steps in a Level 1 septic system inspection and also
     
     
  3. Septic Tank and D-boxes: The following additional steps to:
  • Inspect the septic tank: locate, excavate if needed, open, inspect the septic tank
  • Determine the septic system capacity & tank conditions, scum thickness, baffle condition, etc.
  • Pump and inspect the emptied septic tank and septic tank baffles
  • Distribution Boxes: locate, excavated if needed, and inspect the distribution boxes
  
  
  
• A level-2 septic inspection is performed by septic pumping contractor since tank pumping is needed, or another septic expert may order the tank pumping and should be on-site to inspect the conditions described above
  
  
• Some municipalities require this test be performed only by specifically licensed septic contractors or engineers.

Because a Level-2 septic inspection requires septic tank pumping, the inspector should be present before, during, and after tank pumping in order to observe important indications of septic system condition such as damaged or missing baffles, baffle overrun, abnormal septic tank levels, or backflow into the septic tank during pumpout.

Also see our Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining & Designing Residential Septic Systems - Septic Systems Online Book

Level 3 Septic System Inspection Includes - visual, open, pump, soil percolation, site engineering

• A Level-3 Septic System Inspection is comprised of:

  1. The steps in a Level 0 septic system inspection and
     
     
  2. The steps in a Level 1 septic system inspection and
     
     
  3. The steps in a Level 2 septic system inspection and also
     
     
  4. Drainfield or Leachfield Evaluation & Soil Conditions: Additional site excavation to make test openings in leaching area, other test holes to observe soil conditions, test the soil percolation rate, and if needed, perform other engineering work necessary to certify an existing system or to permit specification of system replacement.
  
  
  
• Performed by septic pumping contractor, engineer, or other expert.
  
  
• Some municipalities require this test be performed only by specifically licensed septic contractors or engineers.

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Also see our Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining & Designing Residential Septic Systems - Septic Systems Online Book

Procedures for Inspecting Septic Systems

• We discuss the requirements for different levels of inspections (level 0, 1, 2 septic inspections) at: Septic System Inspection Types & Inspection Levels
• Field worksheets for various types of septic system inspections can be found at Checklists for Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems
• See Septic Tank Inspection Procedure for details of inspecting septic tanks themselves and a septic tank inspection checklist.
• See Septic Field Inspection Procedure for details of inspecting septic drainfields.
• See Septic Loading and Dye Test Procedure for the details of that process
• See Septic Inspection Testing for our full list of septic inspection methods and procedures.
• See Signs of Septic System Failure: A First Step in Septic Diagnosis, for septic system failure criteria
• See our online septic system inspection course at Inspecting Onsite Waste Disposal Systems - Septic System Testing Methods & Procedures - a Classroom Presentation
• See Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining & Designing Residential Septic Systems - for our Septic Systems Online Book on this topic

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.
• ...

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• Septic System Inspection Methods and Procedures, - online illustrated class for Building and septic inspectors
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank

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