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.

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 Savannah.

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 System Inspections for Savannah Homes

If a home in Savannah 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 Savannah 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.

Quick checks versus complete inspections

Some inspections only confirm that drains run and nothing is obviously wrong. A complete inspection opens and measures the tank, examines the baffles and filter, checks pumps and alarms, and evaluates the drain field. When money is on the line, such as a home purchase, the complete version is usually worth it.

When to get a septic inspection

Get an inspection before buying a home with a septic system, before listing your own, and when you refinance if the lender asks for one. It also makes sense every few years as part of routine care. Other good times are after a major backup, before adding a bedroom or bathroom, or when the home has been empty a long time. Many owners schedule an inspection at the same time as pumping to save a trip.

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.

Before the inspection day

Make the inspector's job easier by locating the tank lids or marking where you think they are, and moving vehicles away from the area. Have a list of questions ready. If you are a buyer, ask the seller for any septic records the Chatham County health office may have on file.

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.

Septic inspections in Chatham County

Inspection requirements differ across Chatham County and neighboring areas, and some local health departments keep records of past permits and inspections. Ask the Chatham 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 Savannah

Because most mapped soils near Savannah are rated very limited for septic absorption, inspectors pay special attention to how the drain field is handling water. With about 45 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 Savannah that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Savannah, 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 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.

Savannah averages about 45 inches of precipitation a year, and August is usually the wettest month. January is the coldest month at about 50°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 Savannah means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Savannah as 32% poorly drained, 31% very poorly drained, 22% somewhat poorly drained, 10% moderately well drained, 5% excessively 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 Savannah

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

A-1 Septic Tank Service, Pooler, GA, 4.7 mi
Reliable Septic Service Inc, Savannah, GA, 8.5 mi
Drainage Master Sewer Service, Savannah, GA, 10.8 mi
Olde Savannah Septic Service, Savannah, GA, 12.6 mi
Coastal Drainage Inc, Savannah, GA, 14.0 mi
Rahn's Wrecker Service, Rincon, GA, 20.8 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Savannah:

Garden City, 4.9 mi
Pooler, 7 mi
Thunderbolt, 8.7 mi
Bloomingdale, 9.9 mi
Richmond Hill, 10.6 mi
Port Wentworth, 12 mi

About Savannah, GA

Savannah is in Chatham County, Georgia. About 147,748 people live there, across 108.9 square miles of land (about 1,357 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Savannah

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.
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 Savannah.
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.