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SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR

AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS
ALTERNATING BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS

BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC
BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE
BACKWATER VALVES, SEWER LINE
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
BOD WASTEWATER TEST
BOOKS, RECOMMENDED SEPTIC
BOOKSTORE, SEPTIC SYSTEMS

CESSPOOLS
CESSPOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY
CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CISTERNS
CLEANOUTS, PLUMBING DRAIN
CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

D BOX TROUBLESHOOTING
DEFINITIONS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM TERMS
DIFFICULT SEPTIC SITES
DISTRIBUTION-BOX INSPECTION, SEPTIC
DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
DRIVING or PARKING OVER SEPTIC COMPONENTS?
DRYWELL DESIGN & USES

EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME

FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, REPAIR

GARBAGE DISPOSAL vs SEPTICS
GRAVELLESS SEPTIC SYSTEMS
GRAVITY/SIPHON DOSING SYSTEMS
GREYWATER SYSTEMS

HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT
HOW SEPTIC SYSTEMS WORK

LAGOON SEPTIC SYSTEMS
LEACHFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS

MEDIA FILTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS
MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEMS

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST, PROCEDURE
ODORLESS CHEMICALS / GASES: CHECK FOR?
ODORS, PLUMBING SYSTEM
ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER
ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES
OUTHOUSES & LATRINES

PLANTS & TREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS
PRESSURE DOSING SEPTIC SYSTEMS

RAISED BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS

SAND BED SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEEPAGE PITS

SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY
SEPTIC AUTHORITIES, DESIGN REGS
SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION
SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR

SEPTIC BOOK, FREE ONLINE
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SEPTIC D-BOX INSPECTION
SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
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SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?
SEPTIC DRAWINGS
SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE

SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
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SEPTIC HOLDING TANKS

SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
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SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS
SEPTIC METHANE GAS
SEPTIC ODORS
SEPTIC or SEWER CONNECTION?

SEPTIC PUMPS
SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR
SEPTIC REFERENCES

SEPTIC / CESSPOOL SAFETY
SEPTIC SUPPLIES & PARTS

SEPTIC SYSTEM DEFINITIONS
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC SYSTEM, HOME BUYERS GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION CLASS
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION LEVELS
SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS
SEPTIC SYSTEM SAFETY WARNINGS
SEPTIC SYSTEM TYPES, MASTER LIST

SEPTIC TANKS
SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES
SEPTIC TANK COVERS
SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TANK LEAKS
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SEPTIC TANKS, CONCRETE
SEPTIC TANKS, FIBERGLASS / PLASTIC
SEPTIC TANKS HOME MADE SITE BUILT
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SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS
SEPTIC TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS

SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS
SEPTIC VIDEOS

SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
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SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION
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SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES
SEWAGE GRINDER PUMPS
SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE
SEWAGE PUMPS
SEWAGE PUMP CLOG DAMAGE
SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
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SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER
SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT

SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS
SOAKAWAY BED FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
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TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR
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TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
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TOILET REPAIR GUIDE
TOILET TYPES
Toilet Types, Flush Methods
TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST
TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES

VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos

WASHING MACHINES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS
WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS
  The Basics of Septic Waste Treatment
  Five Wastewater Treatment Tasks
  Five Wastewater Treatment Processes
  Percentages of Wastewater Treatment Achieved
  Septic tank treatment of wastewater
  Drainfield treatment of wastewater
  Drainfield Effectiveness
  Septic bacteria contamination levels

WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE
WATER PURIFIERS
WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE

WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING

WETLAND SEPTIC SYSTEMS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Photograph of a failed septic system on bedrock on a hill (C)2006 Daniel Friedman The Basics of Onsite Septic Wastewater Treatment
     

  • An explanation of the basics of onsite residential wastewater treatment
  • What are the jobs of the septic tank and drainfield?
  • An explanation of the five basic processes in wastewater treatment: mechanical filtration, biological oxidation, disinfection, waster disposal, and byproduct or solid waste disposal
  • What portion of septic wastewater is treated in the septic tank or drain field?
  • Questions & Answers about residential onsite wastewater or septage or sewage treatment
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR - home
  • BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC
  • BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER
  • CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS
  • CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM
  • CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
  • D BOX TROUBLESHOOTING
  • DRAIN CLEANOUTS
  • DRYWELL DESIGN & USES
  • EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME
  • FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER
  • GARBAGE DISPOSAL vs SEPTICS
  • ODORS, PLUMBING SYSTEM
  • ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
    • DISPOSAL CLOGGING FAILURES
    • ODORS INDICATING DRAINFIELD FAILURE
    • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE CAUSES
    • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE
  • SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
  • SEPTIC LOADING & DYE TEST PROCEDURE - home
  • SEPTIC MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
  • SEPTIC PUMPS
  • SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM REPAIR
  • SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES
  • SEPTIC TANK CLEANING
  • SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
  • SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE - home
  • SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE
  • SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
  • SEPTIC TANK TEES
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN - home
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE - home
  • SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS
  • SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Wastewater treatment: this article explains the basics of onsite wastewater treatment processes - an explanation of the basics. Wastewater treatment is "The process of removing pollutants and pathogens from wastewater, discharging the water to the environment where it is recycled, and disposing of the byproducts of the treatment process."

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

The Basics of Onsite Wastewater Treatment

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems - Burks & Minnis

This article is a supplement to the introduction (SEPTIC SYSTEM BASICS) to our online book SEPTIC INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE whose chapters are shown at the left of this page. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at the end of each article.

Our photograph at page top shows a private septic system which demonstrated failure even before we began our septic loading and dye test. A too-small septic tank installed at the top of a steep hill emptied into a too-small gravel pit buried in less than 36" of soil which in turn sat upon solid rock at the top of this steep site.

Effluent could be seen running down the face of nearby rocks whenever the septic system was in use. In the upper portion of the photo (above at page top) you can see a overflow pipe protruding from the septic tank itself, and also hay which the owner or contractor had piled atop of this system in anticipation that we would not notice its unfortunate condition.

Of course by simply taking a few steps down the hillside and looking up, these regrettable conditions were quite visible. Effluent simply ran down the hillside and into a nearby stream.

The Basics of Wastewater Treatment in a Private Septic System

"Treatment" of wastewater (sewage that flows out of building toilets, sinks, showers) means making sure that the wastewater released to the environment is acceptably clean. In a most-conventional private home septic system, this is about what happens:

  1. House Toilet to Septic Tank: Waste flows from building toilets (and sinks, showers, etc.) through building drains, usually by gravity, out to a septic tank, buried in the ground, often close (10 ft.) to the house. The job of the septic tank is to retain solid waste, oils, and grease in the tank, and to perform limited (perhaps 45%) treatment of the sewage by bacterial and other microbial action which digest organic waste and pathogens. Periodically the solid sludge from the tank bottom and floating scum from the tank top must be removed by a septic pumping contractor.
  2. Septic Tank to Drainfield: Liquid from the septic tank (clarified effluent) flows out of the septic tank and into the drainfield - a network of perforated pipes buried in the ground, often in gravel-filled trenches, perhaps 12" to 24" below ground level. In the drainfield, also called leach field, seepage bed, or soil absorption system, the effluent seeps out of perforations in the pipes, through gravel in the trench, and into the soils below the trench system.

    Suspended solids (tiny bits of floating sewage debris) which escaped the septic tank by flowing in the effluent, are filtered by the soils of the drainfield and captured there.
  3. Drainfield to Nature: a biomat of bacteria and other microorganisms grows naturally in the soil below and around the drainfield. These microorganisms further digest or break down both the captured suspended solids filtered by the soil, and other pathogens and organics and nitrites and nitrates which are present in the septic effluent. As effluent passes through and is processed by this biomat, it is eventually released to local soils where it joins ground water already present in the area (disposal).

For difficult home sites where there is limited space, rocky ground, or wet soils, a variety of "advanced" wastewater treatment systems are available to successfully handle the process I've just described.

What follows this very very basic description of onsite wastewater treatment is simply the same scenario just described, but with the introduction of the terms which septic designers and other experts use to describe various alternative methods of treatment of wastewater.

All of these systems have the same objective: when septic effluent is finally released to the environment it must be as clean or cleaner than the natural groundwater which is already there, and must be clean enough so as not to be a health hazard or harmful to the environment.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions & answers or comments about residential onsite wastewater or septage or sewage treatment

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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., TorontoCarson, 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.
  • Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross, Taylor & Francis 2006. Wastewater treatment levels are given for various system designs including conventional septic systems [this text p. 9] This text can be purchased directly online by clicking on the SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR category in our InspectAPedia Bookstore
  • Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994. This text can be purchased directly online by clicking on the SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR category in our InspectAPedia Bookstore

Also see these Septic System Inspection & Testing articles

  • Abandoned or New Septic System inspection & testing suggestions
  • Baffles, Septic Tank septic tank baffles defects and inspection suggestions
  • Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
  • Cesspools Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
  • Cesspool Age Estimates help evaluate cesspool condition and need for repair or replacement
  • Cesspool Safety Warnings include dangers of cave-in and fatality
  • Clearances & Distances from septic system components to other site features, property boundaries, waterways, etc.
  • Don't Pump Before Testing Septic Systems: warnings for home buyers about septic tank pumping
  • Drainfield Inspection Procedure Septic Leach Fields - how to inspect and diagnose septic drainfield failures
  • DRYWELL DESIGN & USES Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
  • Dye Amounts, Water Volume: how much septic dye and how much water to use to perform a septic dye test
  • Dye Tests: how to perform a Septic Loading and Dye Test - the complete procedure for septic loading & dye testing, a septic function test
  • Failure Causes - Septic Systems Basic Septic Inspection Procedures: for septic tanks, septic drainfields, cesspools, drywells, distribution piping
  • Failure Causes - Septic Tanks - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
  • Failure Causes - Septic Drainfields: how to inspect septic leach fields & what causes septic field failure
  • SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS - Where septic system trouble is likely to show up regardless of septic dye testing
  • Life Expectancy of Septic Systems and septic system components
  • Media Filter Septic Systems types of alternative septic systems using sand, peat, textile, foam cube or other filter media, single pass vs. recirculating media filters, how to identify them.
  • Pumps Septic pumps, sewage ejector pumps, grinder pumps, effluent pumps, sump pumps, & septic pumping stations compared; pump alarms. Advice.
  • Septic & Cesspool Safety - septic system, septic tank, & cesspool safety warnings for septic inspectors, septic pumpers, and homeowners.
  • Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
  • SEPTIC or SEWER CONNECTION? - how to determine if a building is connected to a septic tank or to a public sewer line
  • Septic Site Inspection Procedure - Simple Outside Visual Site Inspection Gives Key Information About Septic System Condition
  • Septic Sludge & Scum Levels in Septic Tanks - Measuring the Level of Accumulated Solids, Sludge and Floating Scum in Treatment Tanks
  • Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
  • Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
  • Soil Percolation Tests Perc Tests or Deep Hole Test for Soil Absorption Rate Testing
  • SPOTTING SEPTIC BREAKOUTS - Spotting Dyed Septic Effluent Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye

Septic System References & Books

  • "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
  • The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
  • Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
  • 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.
  • How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
  • Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
  • Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
  • Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
  • Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
  • What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
  • 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.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe 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.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • 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), 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. I>
  • 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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