FAQ

Locating and digging up your buried septic tank covers is not included in the cost of an inspection but we can provide locating and digging services at additional cost. Please have any septic tank and mound pump chamber covers dug out and exposed prior to the inspection. If your covers are already exposed and visible, nothing needs to be done. We also need access to the well pressure tank in the basement, the septic vent pipes and the well itself outdoors.

Yes. All septic tanks and mound pump chambers must be pumped during the inspection. This is one of the most important parts of the inspection. It is impossible to do a complete and accurate inspection without having the tanks pumped during the inspection. We must inspect the tanks for cracks, erosion, root infestations, leaks runback from the drainfield and the tank baffles. Also, most lending institutions and realty contracts require this. Beware of inspectors who tell you the tank does not have to be pumped or inspectors who are not present during the pumping. We do not pump septic tanks but work with most of the septic pumpers in the area. We will be happy to coordinate the pumping with your pumper for you.

A complete residential well and septic inspection will take about 2 to 2-1/2 hours. We generally schedule the septic pumper to be there about 1-1/2 hours after we arrive. We will have your bacteria water test results about 24 hours later.

We need access to the house during the inspection. We must be able to get into the basement to check out the well pressure tank and pump controls and get the water sample. We must also check the septic plumbing connections. While it is not required for you to be present, we recommend that you are so we can show you first hand if any problems are present.

The bacteria water sample will be in the laboratory the same day and takes about 24 hours to process. We will then write up your detailed reports. We can email, fax or mail your reports. We are also happy to send a copy to your realtor for you if you wish. If you are present during the inspection, you will receive a verbal report onsite.

For the septic system, we adjust our inspection procedures to allow for the system having been dormant for some time. In some cases, we will have to complete 3 separate hydraulic flow tests over a period of three days to obtain an accurate result. If this is necessary, we will discuss this requirements and the additional fees for this service with you. We will also flush the water well for a minimum of 45 minutes before taking the water sample on a vacant house so we get a fresh water sample.

Yes, and we encourage this! All interested parties can and should be present during the inspection.

Yes. We can provide most water tests if desired. Nitrates, Arsenic, Pesticides, Lead, Fluorides and many more are available. Please let us know if any water tests are desired besides the required Coliform Bacteria and E.coli water tests when you schedule your appointment.

Yes. We are licensed to do FHA/VA/HUD loan inspections. FHA/VA/HUD loans require Coliform Bacteria, E.coli, Nitrate, Nitrite, Nitrate + Nitrite and Lead water tests that are sent on ice to a certified laboratory. Also, the code requirements are different for these inspections. Please let us know when you schedule an appointment and we will discuss with you the extra time involved and additional costs.

No. We do not install septic systems or drill wells. We consider this a conflict of interest. We are there only to give you an accurate and impartial professional inspection. We can offer minor code repairs and will give you an exact estimate at the time of the inspection if desired.

We work on exact time appointments not a 5 hour “window” to show up!

Sure do! Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We also accept personal checks.

Generally we will diagnose any well and septic problems as part of the normal inspection and will discuss with you our recommendations of what needs to be done.

Not necessarily. As septic systems age, having some water or “ponding” in the vent pipe is normal. All systems are accurately dye tested and then graded based on the tested performance level. We do not “pre-judge” systems based on age.

Yes, however the lack of a functioning vent pipe at the end of the septic drainfield does not allow for us to calculate the actual absorptive capacity of the system. The system will be tested on a pass/fail basis only. We cannot calculate an estimated remaining life of the system.

Sure. Drywell type septic systems are fully “grand fathered” as long as it is working properly. We see many old drywell systems that are working just fine.

We inspect older well and septic systems all the time. Most things are able to be “grand fathered” depending upon the age of the system. Most older systems do not meet today’s code requirements but only have to comply with the codes in effect at the time it was installed. JR’s is fully aware of past and current code requirements for both well and septic systems.

No. The load and dye test is varied depending upon certain conditions such as number of bedrooms in the house, number of people living in the house currently, time of year, type of system and conditions where the house has been vacant. Our 20 years of experience in testing thousands of systems assure an accurate result no matter what the conditions.