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.

Who pays for a septic inspection during a sale?

It depends on your contract and local practice. Buyers often pay for their own inspection, while some sellers order one before listing. Your real estate agent can tell you what is typical in Austell.

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 Austell, GA

If a home in Austell 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 Austell 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 Austell 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 Austell, 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.

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.

Reading a septic inspection report

The report should say where each part of the system is, how big the tank is and what it is made of, how full it was, and the condition of baffles, filter, lids and any pumps. It should describe how the drain field looked and list recommended repairs, with photos where possible.

Before the inspector arrives

Find the tank if you can, move vehicles off the drain field and make sure the inspector can reach the lid. Have records ready and a list of questions. If you are the buyer, ask the seller for permission and records well ahead of time. If the lid is deeply buried, ask whether digging is included or billed separately.

What to ask when you book an inspection

Ask exactly what the inspection includes, whether the tank will be opened and pumped, and whether the drain field will be tested. Ask about their experience with your type of system, how long the report takes, and whether the report format is accepted by lenders in Cobb County.

Inspections for buyers and sellers near Austell

Real estate deals in Austell and nearby towns such as Powder Springs, Douglasville, Hiram often include a septic inspection as part of due diligence. Some lenders and counties have their own requirements, so check with your agent early. Scheduling the inspection soon after an offer is accepted leaves time to handle any repairs.

What inspectors look at closely around Austell

Soil conditions vary around Austell, so a good inspection looks at how this particular yard drains rather than assuming. 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 Austell that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Austell, the USDA soil survey rates 52% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 48% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well drained. Conditions vary from lot to lot here, so a site evaluation is the only way to know how well a particular yard will handle a drain field.

Austell 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 Austell means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Austell as 75% well drained, 10% moderately well drained, 8% somewhat poorly drained, 5% somewhat excessively drained, 1% excessively drained, 1% poorly 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 Austell

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

Baker Complete Septic Tank Service, Douglasville, GA, 4.8 mi
Seabrook Septic Tank Service, Douglasville, GA, 5.0 mi
Samples Septic Service, Douglasville, GA, 5.4 mi
Koberg Fluid Systems, Marietta, GA, 8.8 mi
Payne's Septic Tank Service, Acworth, GA, 13.4 mi
All American Septic Inc, Dallas, GA, 14.5 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Austell:

Powder Springs, 3.8 mi
Douglasville, 6.6 mi
Hiram, 7.8 mi
Smyrna, 7.9 mi
Marietta, 10.9 mi
Dallas, 13.1 mi

About Austell, GA

Austell is in Cobb County, Georgia. About 8,148 people live there, across 6.3 square miles of land (about 1,285 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Austell

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.
Who pays for a septic inspection during a sale?: It depends on your contract and local practice. Buyers often pay for their own inspection, while some sellers order one before listing. Your real estate agent can tell you what is typical in Austell.
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.