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 Cheyenne.

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 Cheyenne Homes

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

Inside a full septic inspection

A full inspection looks at the whole system, not just the tank. The inspector finds the tank and field, reviews any permits or past reports, opens the tank, and checks the liquid level, scum and sludge layers, baffles and filter. They then look at the distribution box, pumps and alarms if present, and the drain field area.

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.

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.

What a useful report includes

A useful report gives you facts you can act on: measurements of scum and sludge, the condition of each part, a sketch or photos of where things are, and clear recommendations. If repairs are listed, ask the inspector which ones are urgent and which can wait.

Getting the property ready

Clear access to the tank lid and drain field, unlock gates and keep pets inside. Let the inspector know about any past backups, alarms or repairs. If the home is vacant, ask whether water should be run ahead of time. the Laramie County health department may have records for the system that the inspector can use, so it helps to request them early.

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.

Inspections for buyers and sellers near Cheyenne

Real estate deals in Cheyenne and nearby towns such as nearby communities 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 Cheyenne

Soil conditions vary around Cheyenne, so a good inspection looks at how this particular yard drains rather than assuming. Cheyenne gets about 17 inches of precipitation a year, so wet spots over the drain field stand out and deserve a closer look. 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 Cheyenne that affect septic inspection

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Cheyenne, the USDA soil survey rates 39% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 51% as somewhat limited and 10% 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.

Cheyenne averages about 17 inches of precipitation a year, and May is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 3 months a year, with December averaging 26°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 Cheyenne means for septic inspection

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Cheyenne as 85% well drained, 15% 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 Cheyenne

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

B & B Sewer & Septic Tank Service, Cheyenne, WY, 2.3 mi
Kaelin Excavation, Cheyenne, WY, 5.1 mi
Centennial Septic Service, Cheyenne, WY, 8.7 mi
Honeywagon Sanitation Pumping, Laramie, WY, 42.8 mi
Urgent Services LLC, Greeley, CO, 49.6 mi
Trans-Colorado Excavation LLC, Greeley, CO, 49.7 mi

About Cheyenne, WY

Cheyenne is in Laramie County, Wyoming. About 65,168 people live there, across 36.3 square miles of land (about 1,793 per square mile).

Septic Inspection questions in Cheyenne

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 Cheyenne.
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.