An evaluation of the septic tank and drainfield on properties not connected to municipal sewer: standard across Jupiter Farms, Loxahatchee, Palm City, Indiantown and acreage property throughout the Treasure Coast.
Tank location, material, condition and liquid level. Baffles and inlet and outlet tees. Sludge and scum accumulation. Drainfield location, absorption performance and any evidence of surfacing effluent. Distribution box condition where accessible. Pump and alarm operation on systems that have them. System capacity relative to the home's bedroom count.
A septic system that appears to be working can be within months of failing. Drainfields have a finite service life and are the expensive half of the system to replace. Undersized systems, common where a house has been expanded without the septic being upgraded, fail under normal occupancy. None of this is visible from inside the house.
Properties on septic are almost always on a private well as well. Inspecting both at the same visit is more efficient, and the two systems interact: a failing drainfield near a wellhead is a water quality concern, not just a plumbing one.