Wells | Septic Systems
If you are
considering the purchase of a rural home, often it will be provided with a
private water supply (well) and a private sewage disposal
system (septic tank and leaching
field).
WELLS
Water testing. In
some cases you may wish to test the water supply in a house with water provided
by the municipality. A test for lead in the water is recommended, for example,
in an older home with lead water pipes. In a home with a
well, testing the water when a home changes owners is always a good idea.
Standard Potability Test. A standard potability test
evaluates water for bacteria, pH, color, odor, turbidity, hardness, and
commonly found elements such as nitrates and nitrites, iron, manganese, and
sodium. The test for bacteria is primarily concerned with fecal coliform bacteria, which indicate contamination by manure
or other sources. The various items tested have Recommended Maximum or Maximum Allowable
levels set by the State of
Other water tests are available. Your water can also be tested for lead, radon,
volatile organic compounds (VOC's), pesticides, etc.
These tests are usually not recommended unless there is reason to believe that
they might be present. If you have concerns about particular contaminants that
may be present in the well, please discuss them with
Water Flow Testing.
Septic Systems.
Septic tanks and leaching pipes are subjects many people would prefer not to think about! However, some basic knowledge of how these systems work will keep them working right, and help to prevent a costly repair job. There are two main parts of a standard septic system: the tank and the leaching field.
The Septic Tank. The septic tank is usually made of concrete, but with older houses may be stone, brick or steel. It is a large space (typically 750-1500 gallons) which allows the sewage to become still, so that solids (called sludge) will settle out to the bottom. Bacteria and other microbes in the tank then go to work to break down the solids. The liquid material at the top, called effluent, flows out into the leaching pipes. Baffles in the tank also help to ensure that only liquid, without solids, passes into the leaching pipes.
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Two Compartment Septic Tank |
The leaching field. The leaching field is composed of perforated plastic pipes (or clay tiles in older installations) set in loose stone in trenches or pits in the ground. The pipes provide plenty of surface area for the effluent to be absorbed by the soil, where soil bacteria can process it and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses, which are found in raw sewage. In a properly functioning septic system, safe, potable water is returned to the ground water beneath the property.
What can cause a septic system to fail? There are several causes of problems with septic
systems. The most common are:
(1) overloading the system with too much
flow
(2) putting things down the drain which
are harmful to the bacteria and
(3) failing to have the tank pumped
periodically to remove built-up solids.
To keep your system in good shape, avoid excessive flow of water to the system
all at once. For example, try to space out your loads of laundry, rather than
doing it all in one day. Also, avoid putting large amounts of bleach, paint
thinner or other chemicals down the drain which may kill the bacteria which are
needed to process the solids in the tank. The best maintenance for a septic
system is to have it pumped at least once every 3-4 years, depending on the
size of the tank and the number of people in the household. When your tank is pumped,
ask the septic contractor how often pumping is recommended for your system.
Pumping is quite inexpensive, compared to replacement of the leaching field. If
the sludge builds up high enough, solids begin to enter the leaching pipes and
plug the stone and soil around the pipes, causing the system to fail.
The Septic Inspection. When you are buying a house with a septic system, the tank should be pumped and inspected. Often the contract that you sign with the seller will have the seller pay the fee for pumping, while you are responsible for the inspection fee and any labor required for digging up the cover or covers. In a typical inspection the inspector will observe the fluid level in the tank to make sure that fluid is not backing up from the leaching field (a sign that the field is getting plugged up). As the tank is pumped the tank, covers, baffles, and inlet and outlet pipes are inspected. A written report details the findings of the inspection, noting any concerns.
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Home - Services - Contact Us - Termites -Radon -Well & Septic |
Eastern Connecticut
Home Inspection Services LLC.
(860) 450-1500
Info@CTHomeInspection.com