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This document describes how to inspect the condition of a septic tank, providing special considerations for inspecting Plastic or Fiberglass septic tanks.This is a chapter of Septic Systems Inspection, Testing our online book about septic system inspection procedures, defects in onsite waste disposal systems, septic tank problems, septic drainfield problems, checklists of system components and things to ask. Also see The Septic Information Website our main page of articles and information about septic systems and onsite wastewater disposal systems inspection, testing, diagnosis, maintenance, and repair.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links 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.

Inspecting Plastic or Fiberglass septic tanks is a key component in onsite wastewater disposal systems. The plastic septic tank shown in this photograph is courtesy of thenaturalhome - link provided below.

Fiberglass or Plastic Septic Tanks: are very resistant to some of the problems occurring with concrete (cracks) or steel (rust) septic or home made (collapse) septic tanks. But plastic septic tanks can have their own special considerations, particularly during installation and possibly when the plastic or fiberglass septic tank is being pumped. Here are some things to watch for when inspecting a plastic septic tank or a fiberglass septic tank:

• Low effluent level in a fiberglass or plastic septic tank may be discovered when the tank is opened for pumping. After the tank is emptied, check to see if a plastic plug from the tank bottom has been lost. One reader wrote to tell us that when her septic tank was pumped the pumping process itself dislodged and removed a plug from the tank bottom.
  
  The loss was discovered several years later when the tank was opened for pumping again. After cleaning the plug was replaced. (DO NOT ENTER A SEPTIC TANK for any reason, including replacing a plug, unless you are trained and have the required breathing equipment and a buddy watching - methane gas hazards in septic tanks can be fatal in minutes.
  
  
• Damage during installation: a fiberglass septic tank may be damaged during installation, such as having been dropped or hit by equipment during installation. The resulting crack and leak may not be evident until later when the plastic or fiberglass septic tank is pumped. Look for abnormally low effluent levels and no missing drain plug.
  
  
• Damage to piping connections: if a fiberglass or other light-material septic tank is left empty after installation or after pumping, and if the septic tank in an area of wet soils or rising ground water the tank can float up out of the ground, breaking plumbing connections and damaging the tank.

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SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING
  TANK PUMPING FREQUENCY TABLE
  WHY DOES A TANK NEED PUMPING?
  EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME
  WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
  SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
SEPTIC TANK SAFETY
SEPTIC VIDEOS
INSPECTING SEPTIC TANKS
  SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION CHECLIST
  STEEL SEPTIC TANKS
  CONCRETE SEPTIC TANKS
  FIBERGLASS or PLASTIC SEPTIC TANKS
  HOME MADE SITE BUILT TANKS
  SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES
  SEPTIC TANK SOLIDS & SCUM
  SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
MEASURE SCUM & SLUDGE
CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS
SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR
SEPTIC TREATMENTS

• thenaturalhome.com kindly provided the image of the plastic or fiberglass septic tank used at the top of this page. Naturalhome provides septic system products and consulting as well as consulting and products for composting toilets, passive solar construction, sunscreens and geotextiles, and other products.

• Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank
• INSPECTING SEPTIC TANKS - how to inspect septic tanks, a checklist, and the proper sequence of inspection during septic tank pumping
• MEASURE SCUM & SLUDGE - How and Why to Measure Septic Tank Scum and Sludge in the Septic Tank
• EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME - Septic Effluent Retention time and Effective Septic Tank Volume - Why pump a septic tank before it is "full" of solids and grease?

The Septic Systems Online Book - Where Are We?

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• How to Inspect Septic Systems: 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.
• How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• How often to Pump the Septic Tank: Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Table
• The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
• Alternative & Advanced Designs for Septic Systems for discussion and links to (on-site waste disposal) System Designs for Problem Sites & Soils. Books, Consultants, Engineers, Designers. Alternative septic system designs can substantially reduce the normal required distances between septic system components and wells, lakes, streams, and property boundaries.

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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

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