As of January 2008, North Carolina House Bill 688 became law that regulates septic system contractors and inspectors. Now, an inspector must be “certified” by the State of North Carolina to conduct these inspections. The North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board (NCOWCICB) will be establishing the official inspection protocol and it appears that pumping the septic tank will be highly recommended as part of the protocol. This will incur an additional expense for the inspection unless client declines to have this done.
If you are a homeowner or a real estate agent whose buyer needs a septic inspection for a closing please consider calling Soil Horizons, Inc. in Youngsville, NC. I have been doing septic inspections for several years and am now offering them to prospective buyers and homeowners as a North Carolina Certified Inspector.
Source: Photograph of Smithsonian "Dig It" soil exhibit model 2008.
My background includes employment with several area health departments as an Environmental Health Specialist and the permitting of hundreds of septic systems across the State. I am also a North Carolina licensed soil scientist and have been doing private consulting in the area for the past 15 years. Having designed many different types of septic systems, I am very familiar with septic systems and can provide a thorough inspection for your clients.
A septic inspection can reveal signs of needed repairs that can be very costly. This would be a good thing to know prior to closing on a house. Repairs could range from just replacing a cracked lid to installing a new drainfield. To conduct a thorough septic inspection, the septic tank needs to be emptied by a qualified septic pumper so the structural integrity of the tank can be observed. Some potential buyers may not wish to absorb the extra expense for pumping the tank. In this case, Soil Horizons, Inc. can still conduct the septic inspection, if the buyer signs a statement declining to have the tank pumped.
Please note it is not necessary to pump the septic tank to find problems in the drainfield, but having the septic system pumped is recommended to be done every 3 to 5 years as part of a good maintenance program.
Information needed to conduct the inspection.
Buyer and agent’s name and contact info
Property address
Closing date
Occupant’s name and contact so we can schedule the inspection.
Signed waiver if buyer does not want to have the tank pumped as part of inspection.
We will do the rest by contacting the local health department to obtain copies of permits and contacting a qualified pumper if the tank is to be pumped.
Inspection report with photographs will be provided as the deliverable. See attached sample report form.
Fees for the inspection will be $200 not including the cost to pump the septic tank if requested.
If Soil Horizons, Inc. can provide septic inspections for your clients please give me a call at 919-818-5087 or email at soilhorizons@gmail.com
See attached link for more information about certified septic inspectors and contractors in North Carolina.