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 Lithonia 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 DeKalb County health department to confirm what applies.

What happens if the inspection finds a problem?

You get a clearer picture of what needs fixing and how urgent it is. Small items like a broken baffle are usually simple. Bigger findings, like a failing drain field, may call for repair quotes before a sale moves forward.

Septic System Inspections for Lithonia Homes

If a home in Lithonia 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 Lithonia can inspect for a sale, a refinance or simply because you want to know how your system is holding up.

What a septic inspection covers

A full inspection usually starts with locating the tank and drain field and reviewing any records on file. The inspector opens the tank, checks the liquid level and sludge depth, and looks at the inlet and outlet baffles, the tank walls and the lid. Water may be run through the house to watch how the system handles flow. The drain field is checked for wet spots, odors and signs of surfacing water. Pump chambers, alarms and filters are tested if the system has them.

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 Lithonia, 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 have a system inspected

The most important time is before you buy a house with a septic system. Sellers often inspect before listing to avoid surprises, and lenders sometimes require one. Outside of a sale, an inspection every few years, often done along with pumping, catches small problems before they become emergencies.

Why the written report matters

The report is what you, your lender and the other party in a sale will rely on. It should describe the system in plain terms, note its condition, and separate urgent problems from routine maintenance. A report with measurements and photos is far more useful than a single line saying the system passed.

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.

Choosing a septic inspector

Look for an inspector who explains the process clearly, provides a detailed written report and is not rushing to sell you repairs. It is reasonable to ask whether the same company performs repairs and how they handle that. Experience with the types of systems common around Lithonia and Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, Conyers is a plus.

Inspections for buyers and sellers near Lithonia

Real estate deals in Lithonia and nearby towns such as Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, Conyers 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 Lithonia

Soil conditions vary around Lithonia, so a good inspection looks at how this particular yard drains rather than assuming. With about 50 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 Lithonia that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Lithonia, the USDA soil survey rates 42% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 58% 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.

Lithonia averages about 50 inches of precipitation a year, and February is usually the wettest month. January is the coldest month at about 42°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 Lithonia means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Lithonia as 83% well drained, 7% moderately well drained, 4% poorly drained, 4% somewhat poorly drained, 2% somewhat 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 Lithonia

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

Doug Clack Septic Tank Service, Lithonia, GA, 0.9 mi
Amerisep, Stone Mountain, GA, 5.4 mi
Tri R Service Septic & Sewer, Snellville, GA, 8.4 mi
Paul Kizer Septic Tank Pumping, Conyers, GA, 9.8 mi
B JS Septic Tank Inc, Loganville, GA, 12.2 mi
North Ga Septic Tank Service Inc, Loganville, GA, 12.2 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Lithonia:

Stonecrest, 3.2 mi
Stone Mountain, 7.3 mi
Conyers, 8 mi
Avondale Estates, 9.9 mi
Clarkston, 10.4 mi
Tucker, 10.7 mi

About Lithonia, GA

Lithonia is in DeKalb County, Georgia. About 2,583 people live there, across 0.9 square miles of land (about 2,783 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Lithonia

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 Lithonia 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 DeKalb County health department to confirm what applies.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?: You get a clearer picture of what needs fixing and how urgent it is. Small items like a broken baffle are usually simple. Bigger findings, like a failing drain field, may call for repair quotes before a sale moves forward.