{"id":27280,"date":"2025-02-25T04:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T12:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=27280"},"modified":"2026-04-05T21:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T04:00:05","slug":"septic-inspection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/septic-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does a Septic Inspection Entail?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting your septic system inspected may feel a little like going to the doctor: it\u2019s necessary for the system\u2019s health, but you dread what the report might reveal. However, as with your own health, it\u2019s better to know what\u2019s going on so you can take steps to address any minor issues before they become major problems.<\/p>\n

And if you can\u2019t even remember the last time your septic system<\/a> was inspected, the time to schedule one is now <\/a>\u2014 particularly if you plan to list your home for sale.<\/p>\n

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The ins and outs of septic systems<\/h2>\n

Rural life has numerous benefits, but homeowners accustomed to country living know that a little independence comes with a lot of responsibility. One of those responsibilities is maintaining your septic system \u2014 because most rural homes feature \u201cwell and septic\u201d rather than city water and sewer.<\/p>\n

In fact, as many as one in five households nationwide<\/a> get their water from a well and rely on a septic system to dispose of wastewater. Those homeowners should have their waste management systems inspected every one to three years<\/a>, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).<\/p>\n

There are two basic types of septic systems: conventional and alternative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Conventional systems are further categorized as gravity or pressure distribution systems. Gravity is the standard system, in which gravity is relied upon to move effluent through the tank and into the leach field. Pressure distribution utilizes a pump to do the job. It\u2019s used in new systems because it distributes more evenly to the whole drainfield.<\/p>\n

Alternative systems include:<\/p>\n