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How to Spot Septic Dye Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye Test
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Septic test dye breakout locations: this article describes where you will be most likely to find septic dye outside when conducting a septic loading and dye test - if the system is failing, here's where you're likely to see the dyed effluent appearing. A visual inspection of these locations before and after a septic dye test is performed can give key information about the condition of the septic system. You should look everywhere on and around a site being
tested but here are the most-likely locations of dyed effluent or un-dyed effluent appearance at a property with a failing septic system.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
How to Spot Septic Dye Test Breakouts: Where Will You Most Probably Find Dyed Septic Effluent Outside
 These pages are part of our SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE for testing septic system function.
A septic effluent "breakout" is the visible movement of septic effluent to the surface of a property. Effluent may appear as an area of wet soil or as an actual puddle of liquid on the ground surface.
It may also appear as dyed effluent flowing into a stream, lake, or other waterway.
Septic effluent appearing on the surface of a property or in nearby ponds or streams, is incontrovertible evidence of a failure in the septic system.
Breakouts of septic effluent may occur during normal system usage when the absorption bed has failed, when the system has been overloaded, or during a septic loading and dye test.
As our photo (left) illustrates with green septic dye, don't assume that because a septic tank is new, or has been "repaired" or "serviced" that the system is functional. This one was totally blocked, sending the test water and dye to the surface right at the septic tank.
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 Septic dye may appear in the septic tank right at the tank inlet, as shown in our photo (left). Here the dye was concentrated, largely because it was having trouble pushing its way into the septic tank.
Steve Vermilye, a New York home inspector, was watching a dye test such as shown at left and observed his dye disappearing as it entered the septic tank - someone had "primed" the tank with bleach, hoping to avoid discovery of a failed drainfield or perhaps over-shocking a well in hope of avoiding a failed well water bacteria test. (CHEATING ON WATER TESTS)
Dyed Septic effluent breaking to the surface may be pale red or green depending on the dye color used. Whether a septic loading and dye test is performed with or without tracer dye, effluent may appear
under various circumstances. For example, if the septic system has been pre-loaded with bleach, septic dye may not appear in the effluent.
This occurs if someone has shocked the well or perhaps attempted to
sabotage a septic test. It would also occur if the inspector attempted to use septic dye on a septic treatment system which injects chlorine into discharged effluent.
Before a system is tested using
a loading and dye procedure, the inspector should attempt to determine the type of septic system installed. In very dilute conditions septic dye can also be detected using a "black light" (UV) if you inspect in dark or low
light conditions and use a portable light source. (I have never seen anyone take this step. |
Look for Effluent or Dyed Effluent Breakout before, during, and after the septic loading and dye test. In the photo shown here, green septic dye is quite visible in this wet area among leaves.
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This photo shows red septic dye appearing in a worn area of a grassy yard. More dramatic red dye appearance was shown in the basement walkout septic dye photo at the top of this page. |
If there is snow cover, walk a test grid pattern around the inspection area, scuffing to the ground surface. If there is dyed effluent breakout your scuffing in the snow will kick up green or red snow from the underside of the snow layer.
If there is frozen snow cover and the ground surface is not accessible the loading and dye test effectiveness is reduced but not eliminated.
We have produced wet areas, sags in snow cover, and even stained snow and ice with this procedure.
Here is another photo of septic dye showing up in snow-cover at a property, demonstrating that dye breakout and septic failure can often be demonstrated even in winter weather.
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Non-dyed effluent may also appear during a septic loading and dye test so be alert for any increase in the size of previously-found wet areas or for the production of new wet areas or puddles or odors.
Non-dyed septic effluent may appear due to dilution, to the presence of bleach in the system, or by extended soil filtration combined with dilution of pre-existing water in the leaching area.
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Watch Out: Any probing of wet or suspect areas should be performed carefully to avoid any charge of damaging piping. Probing can be useful in a suspect area, but since the exact location, depth, design of buried components is unknown, this is not a reliable comprehensive inspection method.
Avoid using heavy steel wrecking bars or similar probing tools which can damage septic tank top or other components.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- 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). 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 I 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.
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