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Septic system inspection field data worksheets & checklists, part 1:
Here are three detailed septic system field inspection and test worksheets to assist in inspecting and documenting the condition of septic systems. These septic inspection field worksheets are useful for recording information during the conduct of septic system inspections for investigations of the condition of a septic system using level 0, 1, and 2 septic inspections.
We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
Septic System Inspection and Testing Worksheets
This article is part of our series: Septic Systems Online Book procedures, defects in onsite waste disposal systems, septic tank problems, septic drainfield problems, checklists of system components and things to ask. Septic system maintenance and pumping schedules.
Worksheet for Septic Inspection Level 0 - Basic Information
[Click to enlarge any image]
Watch out: Anyone inspecting septic systems MUST be familiar with the hazards and safety concerns discussed
at SEPTIC SYSTEM SAFETY WARNINGS.
The two photos here illustrate how easily one can fall into a septic tank, cesspool, drywell, soakpit, or similar construct - an event that is usually fatal. If you think I'm exaggerating,
see SEPTIC TANK ACCIDENT REPORTS
A surprising amount of useful diagnostic information about the condition of a septic tank and drainfield can be developedby a thoughtful visual inspection of the property even before any steps to test the septic system have begun.The two photos above show a case in which an old home-made septic tank was located just a few feet from a public lake.
You can see our septic test water pouring into the septic tank in the upper right part of the page top photo. The jumble ofstones visible just inside the septic 'tank' indicate that this is a home-made system, perhaps simply a cesspool.
With the nearby stream and lake just a few feet away, this system is unlikely to be acceptable by modern standards of sanitation and building code. Below we've printed our field data collection worksheets used for septic system inspection.
INSPECTION DATE:_____________________________________________________________
INSPECTION ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________
INSPECTOR's NAME:____________________________________________________________
CLIENT's NAME:_______________________________________________________________
The system was NOT INSPECTED because: _______________________________________
UNSAFE CONDITIONS OBSERVED, PEOPLE NOTIFIED: ________________________________
BASIC SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION
System Age: _______________________ Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
Recent Nr. Occupants: _____________ Year Round: Y/N Nr. Bedrooms:________
Currently Occupied: Y/N Vacant since:______________
Tank Last Pumped:__________________ Garbage Disposal: Y/N
Separate Drywell/Drain for Washer/Other:________________
Calculated or other Specific Flow or Load:___________________________________
TREATMENT TANK INFORMATION and CONDITION:
LOCATION: Not Identified. Reported/observed at:________________
Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
TYPE: Not Identified. Reported/observed at:________________
Concrete/Steel/Other:_____________ Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
Septic Tank / Aerobic Tank / Grease Trap
Cesspool / Overflow Cesspool / Privy
Is System Shared: Y/N Previous Inspection Records Attached: Y/N
Damage/Defects Observed:________________________________________________
CAPACITY: Not Visible. Reported/observed at:________________
Gallons: _________________________ Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
COVER: Not Visible. Reported/observed at:________________
Concrete/Steel/Other:_____________ Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
Damage/Defects Observed: child-hazard, missing, not secure, damaged, __
AGE OF COMPONENTS: Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
___________________________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:____________________________________________________________
NOTICE: Low volume minimum-flush toilets/waste disposal system installed.
Additional Septic Inspection Notes for Mound Systems
If a septic mound system or raised bed septic system is installed, a pump may be required to move effluent from a pumping chamberup to the mound treatment area.
[Click to enlarge any image]
The presence of a septic mound will be quite obvious but thepresence or absence of a pump serving the mound may be less apparent. Look for control boxes,pumping chamber access cover, and of course request whatever information a prior owner may be ableto provide - but don't' rely on that data to be complete.
PUMPING EQUIPMENT:
PUMP-Mound Not Visible. Reported/observed at:________________
Operating Satisfactorily Y/N Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
PUMP-Ejector Not Visible. Reported/observed at:________________
Operating Satisfactorily Y/N Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
ABSORPTION SYSTEM:
LOCATION: Not Identified. Reported/observed at:________________
Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
Damage/Defects Observed:________________________________________________
TYPE: Not Identified. Reported/observed at:________________
Cesspool Capacity:___________ Information Source: Seller/Realtor/Other
Seepage Bed Trench System Elevated Mound/Sand
Other:_______________________________________
Indications of previous failure: Odors, Seepage, Lush Vegetation,
- Gray Water discharge. to surface/stream/storm drain;
- Parking, driveway, runoff, shrubs, trees over drainfield;
- Construction/additions over drainfield;
COMMENTS:____________________________________________________________
SEPTIC SYSTEM OPERATION
VISUAL OBSERVATIONS:
COMMENTS:____________________________________________________________
CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS:
--SATISFACTORY-- good to fair conditionNo visual evidence of system failure, functional drain flow was observed.
EXPLANATION: At the time of our inspection the sewage disposal system appearedto be working normally and adequately. There was no evidence of stopped maindrains, no unusual septic odors.
[If a loading/dye test was NOT performed:] By your instruction, we did notperform a system loading and dye test. Important additional information aboutsystem condition is available from this and other levels of septic inspection.
- [There was/was not evidence of recent excavation or repair - which suggests that additional questions to owner or investigation are in order.]
[If a loading/dye test was performed:] Report details of dye test procedures(see below), and results.
SEPTIC SYSTEM LOADING AND DYE TEST ON-SITE DETAILS:
WATER run at:______________________ for __________ minutes prior to introducingtracer dye.
TRACER DYE placed at: ____________________________
WATER RUN at these fixtures:___________________________________________________
FOR ________________________ minutes at an ESTIMATED AVERAGE FLOW OF ______GPM
TOTAL TEST VOLUME OF WATER WAS ________________________ GALLONS
These photographs show three reasons to believe there is no working septic system at thisproperty and that installing one will be costly: there is no area on the site which isnot very rocky - there is a lack of soil for effluent treatment; the site is very steep, andeven before beginning the septic loading and dye test there is visible runout that maybe septic effluent coming from a tiny home-made septic tank.
The first photo (above left) shows waterrunning across rock near the reported septic tank location before we began our septicloading test.
This photo from the same location shows the increase in water running across this rock shortly after we began testing this septic system.
SEPTIC SYSTEM LOADING & DYE TEST RESULTS
EVIDENCE OF BACKUP, DYE BREAKOUT, OR OTHER DEFECT
WAS or WAS NOT ______OBSERVED
- Description: _______________________________________________________________________________
---UNSATISFACTORY-- poor condition or nonfunctional
Evidence of failure/improper operation was observed
- System backup (system backs up into house)
- System breakout (discharge or ponding of effluent on ground surface)
- System blockage (system backs up and leaks at tank or distribution. box)
- (static liquid level in distribution box above outlet)
- (liquid level in cesspool less than 6' below invert or available volume less than 1/2 day flow)
- Hydraulic overload (excess. water in absorption area, effluent @ surface)
- (fields may be undersized, improperly located, damaged)
- (fields may be improperly installed, unbalanced)
- Maintenance failure (fields damaged by solids flowing from tank/tree roots)
- Mechanical damage (driving over leach fields, damage piping/trenches)
- Groundwater flowing onto/into/flooding absorption area
- Mound systems: improper slope, insufficient soil layer, on flood plain,
- less than 5' from property line,
- less than 50' from stream; pump defects;
Other Septic System Defects Observed
- (pumping multiple times during past year (e.g. less than 4))
- (damaged tank, baffles, distribution box, other)
- (Absorption system located in low/wet areas)
- (Components within 50' of a surface stream, pond, river, or private well)
- (Between 50 and 100' from a private well with no acceptable water analysis)
- (Components within 100' of a tributary to a surface water supply)
- (Too close to a public well (depends on state regulations.))
- (Cesspool or privy within 50' of a protected wetland)
COMMENTS:____________________________________________________________
...
Free Printable Home Worksheets
Continue reading at L-0 SEPTIC INSPECTION ADDITIONAL WORK SHEET or select a topic from closely-related articles below, or see our complete INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES below.
Or see theseSeptic System Inspection Worksheets
- SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION WORK SHEETS - 3 Septic inspection checklists & data recording sheets help define 3 levels of thoroughness of septic tank and field inspection & testing
- LEVEL 0 SEPTIC INSPECTION WORK SHEET Septic inspection checklist for Level-0 basic septic system inspections
- L-0 SEPTIC INSPECTION ADDITIONAL WORK SHEET Supplemental septic inspection checklist for Level-0 testing
- LEVEL 1 SEPTIC INSPECTION WORK SHEET Septic inspection checklist for Level-1 septic system inspection
Septic System Inspection Articles
Free Printable Home Inspection Forms
- SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE - home
- SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT - clues indicating septic system failure
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
- SEPTIC LOADING & DYE TEST PROCEDURE - home
- SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE - home
- Septic Tank Inspection Procedure for details of inspecting septic tanks themselves and a septic tank inspection checklist.
- Septic Field Inspection Procedure for details of inspecting septic drainfields.
- Septic Loading and Dye Test Procedure for the details of that process
- Inspecting Onsite Waste Disposal Systems - Online septic system inspection Classroom Presentation
- Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining & Designing Residential Septic Systems - Septic Systems Online Book on this topic
Suggested citation for this web page
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION WORK SHEETS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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Technical Reviewers & References
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Free Printable Home Inspection Checklist Pdf
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Free Home Inspection Forms Downloads
- 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.
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- ...
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: 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 extensive home inspection education and report writing material.
- 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. - TECHNICAL REFERENCE GUIDE to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment, useful for determining the age of heating boilers, furnaces, water heaters is provided by Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto - Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
- The 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.
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Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd - 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 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