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.

Should the tank be pumped before an inspection?

Many inspectors prefer to see the tank before and during pumping so they can judge how the system has been working. Ask the inspector what they want rather than pumping on your own beforehand.

Does Atlanta 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 Fulton 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 Atlanta, GA

A septic inspection tells you whether the system under a Atlanta property is working, what shape the tank and drain field are in, and what repairs might be coming. It is one of the most useful reports you can have before buying or selling a home that is not on city sewer.

Request a call and a septic company that inspects systems in Atlanta and East Point, Hapeville, Decatur will explain what their inspection includes and when they can get out.

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 Atlanta 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.

Visual inspections and full inspections

A visual inspection is a quick check of how the system seems to be working, often by running water and looking for problems. A full inspection goes further: the tank is opened, levels are measured and the drain field is evaluated. For a home purchase in Atlanta, a full inspection is usually the better choice because it finds problems a quick look can miss. Ask the company which type they are quoting before you book.

Good times to schedule an inspection

The most common reason people in Atlanta call for an inspection is a home sale. Other good times include before a renovation that adds water use and after heavy flooding. It also helps when you notice slow drains or odors, or when you move into a home with no records for the system. Regular inspections help you catch small problems before they turn into drain field replacements.

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 ready for the inspector

Find any septic permit, the original design drawing and receipts from past pumping or repairs. If you know where the tank lids are, clear grass, mulch or snow from them. Let the inspector know about any past backups or wet spots, and plan for normal water use in the house beforehand.

What to ask before you book

Useful questions include: What will you check, and what is outside your inspection? Is the tank pumped during the visit? Do you include the drain field? How will you document what you find? Will your report meet what my lender or buyer needs? Clear answers make it easy to compare companies.

Septic inspections in Fulton County

Inspection requirements differ across Fulton County and neighboring areas, and some local health departments keep records of past permits and inspections. Ask the Fulton County health department whether there is a file for the property. An inspector who knows local rules can tell you what a buyer or lender will expect.

What inspectors look at closely around Atlanta

Because most mapped soils near Atlanta are rated very limited for septic absorption, inspectors pay special attention to how the drain field is handling water. With about 51 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 Atlanta that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Atlanta, the USDA soil survey rates 65% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 35% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well 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.

Atlanta averages about 51 inches of precipitation a year, and December is usually the wettest month. January is the coldest month at about 40°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 Atlanta means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Atlanta as 64% well drained, 27% moderately well drained, 6% somewhat poorly drained, 3% excessively drained. A good inspection here checks the drain field as well as the tank.

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

Septic companies near Atlanta

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

B Septic Service, Atlanta, GA, 11.3 mi
Rylander Septic Tank Service, Morrow, GA, 11.8 mi
Precision Septic Tank Service, Riverdale, GA, 12.8 mi
Samples Septic Service, Douglasville, GA, 15.0 mi
AAA Pumping & Repair, Jonesboro, GA, 15.6 mi
Seabrook Septic Tank Service, Douglasville, GA, 15.9 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Atlanta:

East Point, 7 mi
Hapeville, 7.1 mi
Decatur, 7.3 mi
Brookhaven, 8.3 mi
College Park, 8.7 mi
Smyrna, 8.7 mi

About Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is in Fulton County, Georgia. About 510,823 people live there, across 135.3 square miles of land (about 3,777 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Atlanta

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.
Should the tank be pumped before an inspection?: Many inspectors prefer to see the tank before and during pumping so they can judge how the system has been working. Ask the inspector what they want rather than pumping on your own beforehand.
Does Atlanta 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 Fulton 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.