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Septic Tank Inspections – All you need to know!

PSA: Septic Tank Inspections… all you need to know!!!
 
 
SEPTIC INSPECTIONS
 
Who do I call for a thorough septic inspection?  A septic company that is licensed to install and repair septic systems. I do not recommend calling a company that does not repair, install and pump tanks on a daily basis. As those who do this on a daily basis have experienced or seen issues with systems that are uncommon to the eye of those that do not do this on a regular basis. (Like going to a Chinese restaurant to eat Mexican food. I’m betting those results will not be what you are looking for. Who does that anyway? Why would you spend your money on paying a company to do an inspection when they deal very little with septic systems in general?)
 
Steps to a septic inspection:
1st – call to schedule
2nd – sign and email over all documents required
3rd – the paying party or someone representing you must be onsite the entire time of the inspection. Payment is made at the time of service.
4th- A report of the inspection will be emailed over to you only in 24 business hours from the day of service.
 
The scheduling process takes about 30 minutes by phone to discuss everything that will take place during the inspection, gather all information and explain what is required by the paying party.  All inspections are scheduled only by the party responsible for paying. Why you ask? Great question!! Because there are a number of things that could change the price of the inspection. To discuss issues that could happen and cause the inspection to not be completed. You will then be emailed a docusign agreement that reiterates everything discussed over the phone. You will also need to get with your realtor or the county environmentalist to get a copy of the plat that the county has on file of your septic system. Both agreement and plat need to be emailed back to us 24 hours prior to your appointment or the appointment will be cancelled. As these documents are vital to us to be able to complete our job.
 
What steps are done during a septic inspection?
 
1. Our employee will call you prior to going  to the job location. Please make sure you answer the phone as with any of our jobs we will not go onto the premises without your consent.
2. Make sure you or someone representing you is onsite during the entire time of the inspection.
3. Our driver will park the pump truck at the closest point of access to the tank on a driveway or road. As we will not drive our trucks on the grass due to the weight of the truck.
4. Our driver will locate the tank, and hand dig up to 2ft to get access to the lid of the tank. And begin the inspection. (This is all completed contingent as to no problems with location, system etc.)
5. Our staff will then load his material back on the truck, receive payment and leave.
6. Once he returns to the office at the end of his day he will complete inspection and discuss anything concerning with the owner.
7. Office staff keys everything into system within 24 hours of day of service and emails paperwork to you.
 
Things to take into consideration before scheduling septic inspection:
 
If home being inspected has been vacant and the system has not been in use, we can not give an accurate reading on field lines.
Septic Inspections are only valid for the day of inspection. We can not warranty an inspection of a system as anything can happen from the time of inspection to the next day. (ex. a dump truck drove over field lines crushing them.)…. (Another example- A realtor pays for inspection, the sale falls through, another buyer comes along 3 months later. This inspection is not valid. As septic system/field lines do not last forever)….. (Homeowner decides to take the house off market and make additional improvements to list the home again later. One additional improvement was to build a large patio off the back of the house. Problem is they poured the concrete over the septic tank itself and during the process of the concrete getting poured the driver drove over the field lines crushing them.)
We could do examples all day and still not discuss every case we have experienced.
 
Give us a call if you need a septic tank inspection! 🙂
 
615-504-7178

How to prepare your septic tank for fall!

We found this great advice from Miller Septic, a company out of Ohio: 
 
“Preparing your Septic System for Fall!!
While you’re doing your Fall cleanup chores outside, don’t forget about your septic system. Here are some Fall maintenance tips to keep your septic tank working smoothly.
Insulate Your Septic System:
Your septic system needs extra insulation over the cold months. Let the grass covering your septic tank grow out a little more than usual over Fall to provide that extra layer of protection.
You can also lay mulch over your septic system area to provide additional insulation for the cold months.
Pump Your Septic Tank:
Before winter arrives with snow and freezing temperatures, pump your tank. When it snows or the ground freezes, it becomes difficult to locate your tank and hard to dig into soil. If you’re ready to have your tank pumped, give us a call.
Check for Leaks:
Take a look at the pipes inside and outside of the house, as well as your septic tank lid, and fix any leaks now before they could cause frozen pipes over Winter.
Change the Leach Lines:
Do you have a distribution box? If so, Fall is a great time to change the elbow on your leach lines to give that section of the leach field a break. After it has time to recover, you can go back to it in the Spring.
Day-to-Day Septic Tank Maintenance
Don’t forget to treat your septic system well by using everyday methods to keep it healthy like staggering appliance use and being selective about what goes down your drain.”
 
As always, if you need us, give us a call at 615-504-7178

Your septic tank can tell us a lot about you! :)

Our favorite part of this article: 

2. The toilet paper inside your tank gives away secrets about you

In addition to sludge, scum, and effluent, your septic tank contains a floating island of toilet paper.

“The heavier the toilet paper, the less likely it is to dissolve in the tank,” Seipp says. “When you open up the tank of a family of four daughters, you’re going to see a lot of TP.”

You can even identify the brand by what it looks like inside the tank. For instance, Cottonelle looks “just like cotton,” Seipp says, while Quilted Northern and Charmin are dense and clumpy.

Also, fun fact: If you eat a lot of fatty food, your septic pro will know it. Leftover oils and grease also float, which can make that TP “frothy.”

 

Read the whole article at this link: 

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/gross-things-about-your-septic-system/

 

~The Doo Doo Guru

615-504-7178

Some shots of our crew!!

If you’re needing the best service out there, call these Doo Doo Gurus today!!! 

We serve the entire Middle TN area! 

615-504-7178

 

Read and Learn about the potential for septic tank disasters!!!

We did a job today at a home that was built in 1987. Since then, two additions had been made to the home and a detached garage had been built with a guest apartment above it. 

The main septic tank had never been pumped, and the lid was actually under an aggregate concrete sidewalk. Along with a sidewalk being over top of the septic tank, the water lines, the electrical lines, and drain lines, were also on top of the septic tank. 

There isn’t anything simple we could do to fix every problem here… but we were able to cut the concrete sidewalk to get to the lid without ruining any of the lines, we installed a riser so that the tank has easier access, and were able to put the concrete back and it didn’t look too disturbed. The main tank was dangerously close to backing up. 

In the guest house, an old water tank from Tractor Supply seemed to be what prior owners had installed for a septic tank…. now the guest apartment has a real septic tank that will meet the needs of the homeowner. 

 

Moral of the story, when you do additions on a home, make sure you get a permit and do not do anything that would impact your septic tank and the location and its’ accessibility.

 

And of course, if you’re in need of our services, give us a call at 615-504-7178

 

~the Doo Doo Guru

 

 

It’s beautiful outside and here’s another Spring Tip!

“Spring” Septic Tip: Any change in season or temperature is a good time to have your septic tank serviced or at least inspected. Even after mild winters, it is likely that there will be more overflow just from the level of moisture the soil holds from the increased precipitation over those months and the lack of absorption. Additionally, Spring brings a lot of showers!
 
Getting an inspection and your tank pumped out is the best way to avoid major issues that will lead to major repairs and major bills. This is standard maintenance and can be compared to the changing of tires, oil, and brake pads in a vehicle! You invest to keep your automobile healthy, prevent major issues, and increase the length of time you will have it. It’s the same for septic tank maintenance. Give us a call if you are needing your septic tank pumped or if you are in need of an inspection!
 
615-504-7178!
~The Doo Doo Guru

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