When your home relies on a septic system to dispose of household waste, proper upkeep is essential for ensuring it works as safely and efficiently as possible. Part of your routine maintenance schedule should include professional septic tank inspections. This can help you avoid several major problems and save you a great deal of money in the long run. The following guide explains a few important aspects you ought to know about the process. 

How Often Do You Need an Inspection?

It’s recommended that the average home get a septic tank inspection every three years. However, this timeframe can vary depending on a variety of factors unique to your situation. One key consideration is how many people live in your household. 

The more people there are using the system, the more wear and tear it’ll experience. As such, inspections should be conducted more frequently. This is also the case if you have water-based appliances often running, like the washing machine and dishwasher, since your tank will be working overtime. 

Additionally, there are some telltale signs to watch for that will let you know if a septic inspection needs to be scheduled sooner. This includes slow drains, a strong sewage smell lingering around your property, and pooling water or grass that’s unusually green and lush over the drainfield. Since sewage is a fertilizer, it can make your grass more vibrant.

Why Are Regular Inspections Necessary? 

A septic tank inspection's primary purpose is to identify issues before they worsen and turn into more costly repairs, a health hazard, or a complete system breakdown. If certain problems aren’t addressed promptly, the system can suffer irreparable damage and there’s potential for a sewer backup to take place inside your home. Should a septic tank blowout occur, this will also contaminate the surrounding environment. Regular inspections will help extend the life of your system and prevent you from having to invest in a premature replacement. 

How Are Inspections Performed?

When you have an inspection performed, the technician will check over every component of the system, looking for leaks, clogs, and any damages that require repair or replacement parts. Then, they’ll examine the sludge inside the septic tank. This will allow them to determine if the tank needs to be pumped. 

They’ll also do a drainfield test to see if there’s standing water surrounding the system. This will indicate whether the system needs further maintenance. 

If it’s time to have your septic tank inspected, trust B & B Riley Septic Service to do the job with precise attention to detail. For more than a decade, they’ve been providing homeowners throughout Howell County, MO, with a wide range of quality septic solutions for a reasonable price. These skilled and experienced technicians are committed to helping clients keep their systems in optimal condition. Call (417) 256-5062 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about the services they offer.