A septic inspection checks the condition of your tank and system. If you’re buying or selling a home with a septic system, a full inspection by a qualified inspector is a smart step. For routine upkeep, D&L Environmental gives your tank a visual check every time we pump it, once it’s empty and the walls, inlet and outlet can be seen.

When you need a septic inspection

Concrete septic tank riser in an excavation

If you’re selling a home with a septic system, the buyer will usually want it inspected, and if you’re buying one, you’ll want an inspection before you commit. The usual practice is for the buyer to hire a qualified inspector. A septic system is one of the most expensive parts of a property to replace, so it’s worth knowing its condition up front.

Checking the system matters between sales too. Most homeowners forget about their septic tank until something goes wrong, and by then a small problem may have reached the leach field. The tank holds back solids so that only clearer liquid flows out to the leach field, where the soil treats it. Keeping an eye on the tank protects the whole system.

Regular pumping goes hand in hand with this. Most household tanks need pumping every three to five years, and every pump-out is a chance to look at the tank while it’s empty. That costs far less than dealing with a system that failed without warning.

Two kinds of septic inspection

D&L septic truck pumping a tank at a home

Septic inspections usually fall into one of two types:

  • Visual inspection. A home inspector asks about the property and the system’s history, runs water and flushes the toilets, and looks for standing water or soggy ground over the drain field. It’s quick and useful, but it can’t tell you much about the inside of the tank.
  • Full inspection. A septic professional looks at the system in more detail with the right equipment, including the liquid level in the tank and whether the system is draining properly. The tank is often pumped as part of the process so its walls, baffles and outlet can be seen.

Our visual check at every pump-out

Each time D&L Environmental pumps a tank, our crew looks it over once it’s empty for visible signs of deterioration or other concerns, and tells you what we saw. If you’re buying a home and would like the tank pumped and checked, we’re happy to do that. For a full assessment of the whole system, including the leach field, hire a qualified inspector as well.

To book a pump-out, request service online or call 250-765-0999, and learn more about our septic tank pumping service. If you’re wondering what a pump-out can and can’t fix, see septic problems: what pumping fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a septic inspection to buy a house?

It’s strongly recommended. Hire a qualified inspector to look at the whole system. If you’d also like the tank pumped and checked, we’re happy to do that.

Does D&L do septic inspections?

We do a visual inspection of the tank at the time of pump-out. For a full assessment of the whole system, including the leach field, hire a qualified inspector.

Should the tank be pumped before an inspection?

Usually, yes. An empty tank lets the inspector see the walls, baffles and outlet.