​The French are considered the first to use an underground septic tank system in the 1860s. By 1880, two-chamber septic systems were being used in the United States. Today, nearly one in four households in the United States depends on an individual septic (onsite) wastewater treatment system or small community cluster system to treat wastewater.
In 2007, 20 percent (26.1 million) of total U.S. housing units were served by septic systems. This is an increase of 1.54 million septic systems since 1985. In 2007, 22 percent (1.6 million) of all housing units less than 4 years old used septic systems. In 2007, 46 percent (10.1 million) of occupied housing units with septic systems were located in the southern region of the United States.
In far too many cases, the septic systems in the U.S. are installed and largely forgotten — until problems arise. EPA concluded in its 1997 Report to Congress that "adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost-effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas."
The difference between a failed system and a functional system is the implementation of an effective wastewater maintenance and inspection program. Such a program, if properly executed, can protect public health, preserve valuable water resources, and maintain economic vitality in a community.
When used properly, an onsite system can function very well for many years. If used improperly, the system will fail and cause conditions that threat human health and the environment. Inspection and maintenance is key to ensuring that septic systems function properly.
Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems are inspected routinely across the United States during a real estate transaction.  There are several national associations that have developed standards for the inspection and maintenance of septic systems. Every state regulates the installation of septic systems and most require strict certification and training of installers and inspectors.
A septic inspection leads to an inspection report that provides the client with information about the type and condition of the onsite wastewater treatment system as observed at the time of the inspection. Recommendations for further evaluation or corrective actions regarding the systems and components might be included in the report.
It should be the intention of the inspector to provide as much accurate, unbiased information about the septic system’s condition so that the client can make smart, informed decisions. In your particular state or county, the septic inspector might not be required to declare a system to be malfunctioning, failed or non-compliant. This will likely be the responsibility of the local administrative authority such as the local or state health department. The inspector simply reports any observed condition that may represent an indication of a malfunctioning system to their client and the local health department soon after (typically within 24 hours) the septic inspection.
A typical septic inspection is:

• An objective evaluation of the onsite wastewater treatment system based upon the inspector’s experience and knowledge;
• An evaluation of each inspected component of the system; and
• A conclusion about the system’s condition.

A typical septic inspection is NOT:

• A warranty or guarantee that the system will properly function for any period of time in the future; and
• A certification of the system’s installation or performance.

​Saving money
A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected regularly is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and could pose a legal liability.
Protecting health and the environment
Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection and disease and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. If a septic system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.
With one-fourth of U.S. homes using septic systems, more than 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below the ground’s surface. Inadequately treated sewage from septic systems can be a cause of groundwater contamination. It poses a significant threat to drinking water and human health because it can contaminate drinking water wells and cause diseases and infections in people and animals. Improperly treated sewage that contaminates nearby surface waters also increases the chance of swimmers contracting a variety of infectious diseases. These range from eye and ear infections to acute gastrointestinal illness and diseases like hepatitis.
How do I maintain my septic system?

​Because many areas don’t have soils suitable for typical septic systems, you might have or need an alternative system. You might also have or need an alternative system if there are too many typical septic systems in one area or the systems are too close to groundwater or surface waters. Alternative septic systems use new technology to improve treatment processes and might need special care and maintenance. Some alternative systems use sand, peat, or plastic media instead of soil to promote wastewater treatment. Other systems might use wetlands, lagoons, aerators, or disinfection devices. Float switches, pumps, and other electrical or mechanical components are often used in alternative systems. Alternative systems should be inspected annually. Check with your local health department or installer for more information on operation and maintenance needs if you have or need an alternative system.

The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield for further treatment by the soil. The partially treated wastewater is pushed along into the drainfield for further treatment every time new wastewater enters the tank.
If the drainfield is overloaded with too much liquid, it will flood, causing sewage to flow to the ground surface or create backups in plumbing fixtures and prevent treatment of all wastewater.
A reserve drainfield, required by many states, is an area on your property suitable for a new drainfield system if your current drainfield fails. Treat this area with the same care as your septic system.

​Components
A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield and the soil. Microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually reaches groundwater.
Pipe from the home
All of your household wastewater exits your home through a pipe to the septic tank.
Septic tank
The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield.
Newer tanks generally have risers with lids at the ground surface to allow easy location, inspection, and pumping of the tank.
Septic system aliases:

• On-lot system
• Onsite system
• Individual sewage disposal system
• Onsite sewage disposal system
• Onsite wastewater treatment system

Tip
To prevent buildup, sludge and floating scum need to be removed through periodic pumping of the septic tank. Regular inspections and pumping are the best and cheapest way to keep your septic system in good working order.

​A number of companies sell products under the claim that routine addition to the toilet or septic tank will improve the system’s function and will restore the flow to “slow plumbing.” Most experts consider these claims to be unsubstantiated. Your client should know that wastewater flow problems, which originate in a septic system, could be symptomatic of major system failure. Without the proper attention of a wastewater professional, such problems will usually get worse and more expensive to repair. Relying on additives to fix septic system problems is not recommended.

Many of my clients have said over the years that they have had problems with their sewer line. Some even have said that they wished they had the sewer line inspected. My only question is "why didn't you?".

Even when there is no septic system and you have public sewer, it does not mean that there could not be issues. Just ask most insurance companies. A friend of mine recently bought a home (and I inspected the sewer line for him). He found out from his home owner's insurance that they do not cover sewer lines - apparently too much liability. He was able to find sewer line insurance, but it did cost him extra.

So the point is that if insurance companies have had issues with sewer lines on public sewers and they are nervous about it, then why aren't most home owners.

Some of the issues that can happen are sewer line backups (these are really gross and expensive to fix), sewer line breaks, low flow, and many other issues.

So before you buy your home that has public sewer, be sure to have us perform a sewer line inspection to save you time, money, and give you peace of mind.

Sewer line inspections in: Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, Greenville, Johnstown, Gloversville, and all surrounding areas of NY

Septic Inspections in Esperance NY - Recently I inspected a septic system in Esperance NY on Sanitarium Road, and here is a review that my client left for me. Are you looking for a septic system inspector in Esperance NY? Contact me and I will be happy o help!

"Jay recently did a full septic system inspection for me on (address removed) Sanitarium Road in Esperance NY 12066. He did an absolutely FANTASTIC job. I would imagine that any other septic company would have walked away when they saw how big of a hole he had to dig, but he kept digging. He tested the system, measured levels in the tank, tested the leach field, and so many other items. It is hard to imagine anyone one else doing such a thorough septic system inspection. With a septic system being such an expensive item, I would never hire anyone else but Jay for my septic inspection"