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 Matthews 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 Mecklenburg 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 Inspection in Matthews, NC

A septic inspection tells you whether the system under a Matthews 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 Matthews and Stallings, Indian Trail, Hemby Bridge 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 Matthews 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.

Inspection options to ask about

Common options include a basic flow test or a full inspection with the tank opened. Some inspectors pump during the visit so the tank can be seen empty, run a camera through the lines, or probe the drain field. Your inspector can recommend the right mix for the property. the Mecklenburg County health department may also have its own requirements for inspections tied to a sale or a permit.

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.

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 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 Mecklenburg County health office may have on file.

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 Matthews and Stallings, Indian Trail, Hemby Bridge is a plus.

Septic inspections in Mecklenburg County

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

Because most mapped soils near Matthews 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 Matthews that affect septic inspection

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

Matthews averages about 45 inches of precipitation a year, and July 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 Matthews means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Matthews as 80% well drained, 12% moderately well drained, 8% somewhat 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 Matthews

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

W T Norwood Inc, Waxhaw, NC, 15.9 mi
Catawba Nation Sanitation, Rock Hill, SC, 17.5 mi
Palmetto Alternative Septic, Rock Hill, SC, 20.8 mi
DLC Septic Systems, Catawba, SC, 23.0 mi
Hudson Septic Tank Cleaning, Rock Hill, SC, 24.4 mi
Tucker Gerald C, Kannapolis, NC, 25.2 mi

Septic Inspection in nearby towns

We also cover septic inspection in these towns near Matthews:

Stallings, 2.9 mi
Indian Trail, 4.8 mi
Hemby Bridge, 4.9 mi
Lake Park, 4.9 mi
Mint Hill, 5.1 mi
Weddington, 6.9 mi

About Matthews, NC

Matthews is in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. About 30,934 people live there, across 17.1 square miles of land (about 1,807 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Matthews

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 Matthews 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 Mecklenburg 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.