Can a septic system fail an inspection?

Inspectors usually describe condition rather than giving a simple pass or fail, but a report can show a system is not working or needs major repair. Ask what standard the inspector uses and what the findings mean for your situation.

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 Andover 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 Anoka 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 Andover, MN

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

The checklist an inspector works through

Expect the inspector to locate every component, measure how full the tank is, check inlet and outlet baffles for damage, and watch whether water flows the right way. Many also run water through the house to see how the system responds and walk the drain field for wet spots or odors.

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.

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.

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 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.

What a Andover septic inspection covers

A full inspection near Andover 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 Andover

Because most mapped soils near Andover are rated very limited for septic absorption, inspectors pay special attention to how the drain field is handling water. Andover averages about 31 inches of precipitation a year. Mention recent heavy rain to your inspector, since it can change what the drain field shows. Frozen ground in the colder months can limit what an inspector can see, so plan inspections for a home sale early when you can.

Local conditions in Andover that affect septic inspection

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

Andover averages about 31 inches of precipitation a year, and June is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 4 months a year, with January averaging 11°F, so tank lids and shallow lines benefit from a layer of snow or mulch rather than being cleared bare.

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 Andover means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Andover as 37% excessively drained, 26% very poorly drained, 15% somewhat excessively drained, 9% somewhat poorly drained, 6% moderately well drained, 5% poorly drained, 3% well drained. A good inspection here checks the drain field as well as the tank, since 40% 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 Andover

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

Smilies Sewer Service, Minneapolis, MN, 5.4 mi
Lashinski Septic Service, Ham Lake, MN, 5.4 mi
Sewer Works Ii R J Peterson, Ramsey, MN, 5.9 mi
American Innovations, East Bethel, MN, 8.6 mi
Northside Septic Service LLC, Bethel, MN, 12.1 mi
Paul Hass Pumping Service, St Francis, MN, 15.3 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Andover:

Anoka, 3.7 mi
Coon Rapids, 5.4 mi
Ramsey, 5.6 mi
Champlin, 6 mi
Oak Grove, 6.6 mi
Ham Lake, 6.9 mi

About Andover, MN

Andover is in Anoka County, Minnesota. About 33,089 people live there, across 33.9 square miles of land (about 977 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Andover

Can a septic system fail an inspection?: Inspectors usually describe condition rather than giving a simple pass or fail, but a report can show a system is not working or needs major repair. Ask what standard the inspector uses and what the findings mean for your situation.
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 Andover 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 Anoka 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.