Providing Certified Home and Commercial Property Inspections in Lake of the Ozarks, Springfield and throughout the Central Missouri area.

Lake Ozark(573) 363-5511

Springfield(417) 893-0770

Well & Septic Systems Inspections

Well Testing

Pillar Premier Septic Inspection — Our Inspectors properly inspect a septic system in addition to your home inspection for an extra cost.

Different components, including testing water for impurities and other quality parameters, help make up Well Testing procedure. Results may vary and if Escherichia coli (E. coli) is discovered, then additional tests will be performed to determine if fecal matter is present. Well chlorination is typically the standard treatment for this condition.

Then, a flow test is performed and designed to quantify the volume of water available to be pumped from the well. This test usually requires a consistent flow of water over a set period of time followed by a measurement of the volume of water the well can produce.

Well location in relationship to set-back requirements from ponds, septic and property lines may also be a part of a well test. To learn more, contact Pillar Premier Inspections today. Call Right Now To Schedule: Lake of Ozarks – (573) 363-5511 or Springfield – (417) 893-0770

Septic Systems Inspections

Diagram of septic system location next to a home. — Photo courtesy: Thurston County Public Health & Social Services

How is a working septic system supposed to function?

Separation
Solids are partially broken down into sludge within a septic tank and are separated from effluent (water) and scum.

Filtration
Effluent regularly exits the tank into a drain field where it is filtered by bacteria and reentered into the groundwater.

Maintenance
Maintenance is required periodically. Scum and sludge must be pumped and should never enter the drain field.

Professional Septic Inspectors

If your future home contains a septic system, it is recommended to have it inspected by a professional contractor for proper functioning. Pillar Premier Inspections offers this specialized “intrusive” inspection as an additional cost to a standard home inspection. To properly inspect the septic system, Pillar inspectors will dig holes to access the underground parts of the system and further inspect the tank as well as the leach field.

A professional septic contractor might need to pump the tank in order to fully inspect the entire system. Pillar Premier Inspections has qualified septic contractors on speed dial to pump the tank if the current homeowner has not had the septic tank maintained in awhile.

Septic System Dangers
Septic systems are designed to handle dangerous waste and can pose serious health hazards to homeowners and inspectors. The following are a list of precautions:

A professional septic tank pumping service, not an inspector, should remove solid waste.
No one besides a licensed, equipped professional should enter a tank. Noxious fumes such as methane can cause rapid asphyxiation and death.
If a septic tank shows signs of weakness, tread with caution! Collapse can be fatal. Beware of tanks with rusting metal, homemade lids, or anything else that appears unstable.

A septic can be a very expensive thing to replace. Let us educate you as to what type of system you have, and if there are any recommendations for improvements or repairs. If your home is lakefront, if that system fails, chances are you would need a mechanical system. Costs start at about $15,000 and go up from there. The cost of an inspection is well worth the money.

FAQ's about Well & Septic Inspections

Here at Pillar Premier Inspections, we’re dedicated to being your home consultants for life. Whether you have a question a day or a year after your inspection, we’re here to help.

Do I need a septic inspection?

It’s in your best interest to have the system inspected by a professional inspector, even if you are hiring a different home inspector. The average home inspector will typically assess the condition of visible plumbing in the home, but will not conduct a detailed assessment of the septic system itself.

What is involved in a septic inspection?

All components of the septic system are inspected for structural condition (tank, influent and effluent baffle tees, pumps, floats, etc.). An absorption test is run on the drain field with a minimum of 200 gallons of water to test the system’s ability to handle a normal load of wastewater flow.

What is a septic system?

A septic system is a sewage treatment system. The system is installed on properties that are not connected to a public sewer.

Septic systems have three main parts: a holding tank, distribution pipes, and a drain field.

To maintain the system, the solid wastes that have remained in the holding tank must be pumped out from time to time by a service professional.

To add a Well & Septic Inspection along with your home inspection, contact our office today for more information. Call Right Now To Schedule: Lake of Ozarks – (573) 363-5511 or Springfield – (417) 893-0770

Do you have any questions?