How long does a septic inspection take?

Most take one to three hours. Time depends on how easy the system is to find, whether the tank is pumped during the visit and how much testing is done on the drain field.

Is a home inspection enough for a septic system?

Usually not. General home inspectors often do only a quick look at the septic system. A septic company opens the tank and evaluates the drain field, which gives a much more complete picture.

Does Hollywood require a septic inspection when a home is sold?

Rules differ by county and state. Some areas require an inspection or certification when a home changes hands and others do not. Check with the Broward County health department to confirm what applies.

How often should I inspect my septic system?

A professional inspection every few years is a good habit, often at the same time as pumping. Systems with pumps, aerobic units or known problems may need more frequent checks.

Septic Inspection in Hollywood, FL

If a home in Hollywood uses a septic system, the condition of that system can change what the house is worth. An inspection looks at the tank, the pipes and the drain field so there are no surprises after closing.

Local septic companies that serve Hollywood can inspect for a sale, a refinance or simply because you want to know how your system is holding up.

What the inspector checks

Expect the inspector to look at four main things. First is the tank's structure and water level, then the inlet and outlet baffles. Next come any pumps, floats and alarms, and finally how well the drain field is absorbing water. On older Hollywood homes they also look for signs that the system was changed or repaired without records. The goal is a clear picture of whether the system works today and what it may need soon.

Choosing the right kind of inspection

A walk-through inspection is fine as a routine check on a system you know well. For a home sale, a refinance or a system you know nothing about, choose a full inspection that opens the tank and looks at the drain field. Some lenders and counties specify which type they will accept.

Inspections for buyers and sellers

Buyers use an inspection to learn what they are taking on. Sellers use one to fix problems before listing or to show buyers the system is sound. In either case, schedule early in the process so there is time to pump, make repairs or negotiate. Waiting until the last week before closing leaves little room if the inspector finds a problem.

What you get in the report

A good inspection report lists the tank size and material, the liquid level and the sludge depth. It covers the baffles, lid and any filter, how the drain field looked, and anything that could not be reached. It should say clearly whether the system was working at the time of inspection and list recommended repairs or maintenance. Photos are a plus. Keep the report with your home records.

Getting the property ready

Clear access to the tank lid and drain field, unlock gates and keep pets inside. Let the inspector know about any past backups, alarms or repairs. If the home is vacant, ask whether water should be run ahead of time. the Broward County health department may have records for the system that the inspector can use, so it helps to request them early.

Questions to ask a septic inspector

Ask what their inspection includes, whether the tank will be opened, and whether pumping is part of it. Ask if they probe or test the drain field, how long the inspection takes and when you will get the report. Confirm licensing or certification required where you live and ask for a sample report so you know what to expect.

What a Hollywood septic inspection covers

A full inspection near Hollywood usually includes locating and opening the tank, measuring sludge and scum, checking the baffles and filter, and walking the drain field. Some inspectors run water through the house to watch how the system handles it. Ask whether pumping is included, since it lets them see the whole tank.

What inspectors look at closely around Hollywood

Because most mapped soils near Hollywood are rated very limited for septic absorption, inspectors pay special attention to how the drain field is handling water. With about 52 inches of precipitation a year, an inspection after a dry spell can look better than the system really is. Ask how recent rain affects the results.

Local conditions in Hollywood that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Hollywood, the USDA soil survey rates 100% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 0% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is somewhat poorly drained. Soils like these often call for careful system design, such as a larger drain field, a mound or another engineered system, and a site evaluation before any new installation or replacement.

Hollywood averages about 52 inches of precipitation a year, and June is usually the wettest month. January is the coldest month at about 70°F on average, so freezing is rarely the main concern here. Heavy rain and saturated ground are the bigger factors for drain fields.

Sources: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access; NASA POWER long-term climatology. Soil ratings describe mapped soil types near the city center and do not replace a site evaluation of your property.

What the soil around Hollywood means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Hollywood as 29% somewhat poorly drained, 28% poorly drained, 28% very poorly drained, 10% well drained, 4% moderately well drained. A good inspection here checks the drain field as well as the tank, since 85% of the soil drains poorly and that is where fields tend to show trouble first.

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access

Septic companies near Hollywood

These are the septic companies in our directory closest to Hollywood, with straight-line distance. Call any of them directly, or send one request and we will pass it to the best match.

Arf Septic Tank/Plumbing, West Park, FL, 3.7 mi
Statewide Septic Connections, Miramar, FL, 3.9 mi
Tuffy Excavation Inc, Miramar, FL, 4.5 mi
Jerry's Septic Tank Service, Davie, FL, 4.7 mi
Mr C's Plumbing & Septic Inc, Miami, FL, 5.7 mi
Emergency Septic, Miami Gardens, FL, 9.2 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Hollywood:

Dania Beach, 1.8 mi
Pembroke Park, 3.1 mi
Hallandale Beach, 3.6 mi
West Park, 3.8 mi
Aventura, 5.3 mi
Sunny Isles Beach, 6.9 mi

About Hollywood, FL

Hollywood is in Broward County, Florida. About 153,859 people live there, across 27.3 square miles of land (about 5,646 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Hollywood

How long does a septic inspection take?: Most take one to three hours. Time depends on how easy the system is to find, whether the tank is pumped during the visit and how much testing is done on the drain field.
Is a home inspection enough for a septic system?: Usually not. General home inspectors often do only a quick look at the septic system. A septic company opens the tank and evaluates the drain field, which gives a much more complete picture.
Does Hollywood require a septic inspection when a home is sold?: Rules differ by county and state. Some areas require an inspection or certification when a home changes hands and others do not. Check with the Broward County health department to confirm what applies.
How often should I inspect my septic system?: A professional inspection every few years is a good habit, often at the same time as pumping. Systems with pumps, aerobic units or known problems may need more frequent checks.