InspectAPedia ^®

FAILURE SPOTS - Where Septic System Trouble is Likely to Show Up Regardless of Dye Testing InspectAPedia®  -     Where to look for evidence of septic field failure Where to look for mound septic system failures Where to look for evidence of other septic system failures or problems How to Perform a Septic Loading & Dye Test: Septic Testing Procedure Details - a chapter of "Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems"

This document page describes where trouble tends to show up at properties with septic systems - if the system is failing, here's where you're likely to see evidence. A visual inspection of these locations before and after a septic dye test, or a mere inspection of these locations even if no dye test is going to be performed are steps that give key information about the condition of the septic system. An earlier page (see links at the left) OUTSIDE INSPECTION described other indicators of a site where septic difficulties may be expected, even if there is not any current evidence of a failure. Anyone buying a property or owning a property and needing to assess the condition of the septic system should consider this easy procedure.

Simply paying attention to a building site's shape and other visual clues can give critically important information. These pages are part of our SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE for testing septic system function. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers are listed at "References." Comments and suggestions for content are welcome. Use of this information at other websites is prohibited; reproduction in electronic or printed form is prohibited.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

FAILURE SPOTS - Where Septic System Trouble is Likely to Show Up

Understanding the Site Can Point to Areas of Risk of Septic System Failure

Arlene Puentes has pointed out that a septic inspection for failure spots starts with an examination of the whole building site, considering its size, terrain, neighbors, rocks, streams, etc.

Based on property size alone, a very tiny building site should raise an alarm about what septic components could possibly fit and work in the available space. Add considerations of property age and soil conditions and the septic system story may become yet more clear.

Puentes reports inspecting a property with a tiny lot, a deck built over the entire back yard, and not much space for a septic tank and drainfield. Starting a normal septic loading and dye test (septic dye placed into the system through a toilet) she soon found water, but not dyed effluent, running out from under the deck.

Placing some dye tablets into a bathub drain she discovered that all building graywater was directed not into the septic tank but onto the ground surface under the deck. Puentes continued to test the septic tank and drainfield by simply forcing the building toilet to run continuously to place water into that system. In minutes a sewer odor dominanted the deck area.

Mound septic system failures: Look over the edges of mound systems, banks, and nearby hills, slopes, or culverts. In this photo our client is pointing to a mound system which was installed across a natural drainage area. Surface runoff water from nearby properties, and originally this property, used to run along a natural drainage pathway between the road and the lots. When the builder placed this mound system in the front yard he set it atop that drainage pathway - which means that underground water was running a foot or less below the level of the leach field trenches. The system delivered its effluent right into the surface runoff and together they appeared as dyed effluent at the down slope end of the mound.

Common but illegal effluent discharge pipes: Some "repairs" to a failed septic system are made by simply running a hidden pipe to a nearby pond, stream, or public storm drain. If there is a nearby common improper pipe target or an unexplained pipe sticking out of a bank, have someone watch this area from the moment dye is placed in the system since if there is a direct drain carrying effluent to such an improper (and illegal) destination, the dyed effluent may pass by quickly.

Streams, ponds, storm drains: These are common illegal septic effluent discharge targets, especially at sites with limited space, remote country properties, wet areas, and old properties. Look at near by streams, ponds, wet areas that were present before the test. Warning: If you're looking in a nearby stream or storm drain, watch or have someone watch this area from the moment dye is placed in the system.

Some "repairs" to a failed septic system are made by simply running a hidden pipe to a nearby pond, stream, or public storm drain. If there is a free-running pipe carrying effluent to an illegal destination it may flow so easily and quickly that your dye may pass by in just a few minutes, so watch suspect areas closely early in the test as well as throughout.

Examine low areas near the septic drainfield, soggy areas, areas of dense or lush vegetation, edges of mound systems, and any nearby pond, stream, storm drain, or other surface drainage systems for signs of leakage or dye. Leaf and brush piles or grass clippings are often piled atop "trouble spots" where there has been a history of septic problems and breakout.

• If the ground surface around the septic system is frozen solid at the time of a septic test (which is not usually the case over an in use drain field, the system is stressed in a different manner, as the leach field does not have the option to relieve its failed absorption area by sending effluent to the surface.
  
  In this condition we have produced backups in the building or at the septic tank during the loading and dye test, so be sure to watch lower floor drains for backups if your test water is being run at upper floors of a building. (Warn clients about the help but also the hindrance provided by snow cover in this regard.)
  
  
• Look more than once: Do this visual check before starting the test, during the test, after the test, and up to five days after the site inspection (an added service or an admonition to the client) since it is possible in odd cases for effluent to appear on a property days after the initial test. Fortunately, in cases of a failed or marginal system this procedure often shows breakout in 20-30 minutes.

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

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.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE
WHAT TO DO FIRST
OUTSIDE SEPTIC INSPECTION
  IMMEDIATE SEPTIC FAILURE EVIDENCE
  LOOK FOR SEPTIC COMPONENTS
  DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES
  RECENT SEPTIC WORK
  SEPTIC SAFETY
STEP BY STEP SEPTIC TEST
  INSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
  WATCH FOR INSIDE
  OUTSIDE SEPTIC TEST STEPS
  SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
  SPOTTING SEPTIC DYE BREAKOUTS
SEPTIC TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS
  SEPTIC TEST WATER & DYE TABLE
  SEPTIC TEST FIXTURE FLOW RATE
  HOW TO SET THE SEPTIC TEST VOLUME
REPORTING SEPTIC TEST RESULTS
PUMP THE SEPTIC TANK
SEPTIC DYE TEST WARNINGS

• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Thanks to Arlene Puentes for technical contribution to this article. Arlene Puentes is a licensed home inspector, past chapter president of the Hudson Valley chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors, an educator, and building failures researcher in Kingston, NY who can be reached at ap@octoberhome.htm or at 845-339-7984. 04/27/2009

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.
• Return to the septic system textbook: Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems
• The Septic Information Website
  
• Safety Warnings to Septic System Inspectors
• Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - Water Test Cheating Warnings for Home Buyers and Home Inspectors.
• Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
• Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow calculating septic tank volume and septic tank size required
• How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS for Red Septic Dye from Tramfloc.
• MSDS for Septic Dye Tablets from Tramfloc.
• MSDS for Septic Dye Liquid from Tramfloc.
• Septic Dye Technical Data Bulletin from Tramfloc.
• Tramfloc, Inc. source of septic system testing tracer dyes
• Bright Dyes Inc. source of septic system testing tracer dyes
• Pollard Water source of septic system testing tracer dyes
• ...

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• ...

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

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

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.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting