Septic inspections in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

A septic inspection tells you whether a system is working, how full it is, and what it will need soon. Around Harrisonburg, inspections usually come up in four situations:

• The city's five-year requirement, which calls for an inspection and a pump-out (ordinance guide)
• Buying or selling a home on septic
• Unknown history: a new-to-you house and no records
• Warning signs like slow drains, odors or wet spots

Who does what in Virginia

• Sewage handlers (pumpers) hold a VDH sewage handling permit to remove and haul tank contents (VDH). Many look over the tank while it's open and can complete the city's inspection form.
• Licensed onsite sewage system operators and onsite soil evaluators are licensed under Virginia's Title 54.1 and handle more detailed evaluations.
• Alternative (advanced) systems with pumps, treatment units, drip lines or mounds need visits from a qualified operator. VDH says these systems must be inspected annually and sampled once every five years (VDH).

For a home sale, ask the buyer's lender and agent what kind of report they need before you book.

What a good inspection covers

1. Locating the tank, distribution box and drainfield
2. Opening the tank and measuring sludge and scum
3. Checking baffles and any effluent filter
4. Looking for cracks, roots, and backflow from the drainfield
5. Walking the drainfield for soggy spots, odors or surfacing effluent
6. Testing pumps, floats and alarms on systems that have them
7. A written report with findings and recommendations

Karst and wells: why a careful inspection pays off

Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation notes that in karst areas, contaminants can reach groundwater "quickly, with little or no filtration," and that failing septic systems can contaminate it (Virginia DCR). If your property, or a neighbor's, has a private well, catching a failing system early protects more than just your yard.

Health department records

Systems installed with a permit usually have records on file, often with a sketch of the layout. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Health Department (540-574-5200) can tell you what's on file for your property.