If you’re buying a home or maintaining your property, a septic inspection is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid major headaches later. At Lowery’s Plumbing, we’ve seen what happens when septic systems get neglected, and it’s not pretty. We offer thorough septic inspections across Florida, helping you stay ahead of problems before they turn into expensive repairs or property damage.
A full septic inspection is more than just popping the lid and having a look. We check the entire system from start to finish. That includes the tank, baffles, inlet and outlet lines, and the drain field. We assess sludge levels, look for signs of backflow or solids entering the drain field, and verify that the system is draining properly.
If there’s a cleanout or inspection port, we’ll use that. Otherwise, we’ll carefully uncover the access point to the tank. We also look for pooling water, odors, or signs that the system is struggling to keep up. Everything we inspect is based on real-world function, not just what’s visible from the surface.
Whether you’re buying a house or it’s just been years since your last service, getting a septic inspection is one of the smartest moves you can make. We’ve caught countless issues that would have otherwise been invisible, until they turned into a disaster.
The most common issues we uncover during inspections include cracked or deteriorated baffles, heavy sludge accumulation, and saturated drain fields. Sometimes we find roots growing into the tank or lines, which can cause serious blockages and system failure.
Other red flags include tanks that are too full due to lack of pumping, or systems that were never properly permitted or installed in the first place. We’ve even seen broken inlet pipes that caused raw sewage to back up into homes.
Most of these problems can be fixed if caught early. That’s why regular inspections are so important. The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets.
You don’t always need an inspection to know something’s wrong. If your toilets are flushing slowly, your drains are gurgling, or you’re noticing wet spots in the yard, it could be a sign the system is failing.
Strong odors outside, especially near the tank or drain field, are another warning. If you’ve got any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an inspection right away. It’s a lot cheaper to catch a clog or field failure early than to wait until sewage starts backing up into the house.
For new buyers, an inspection is essential. Never assume that just because the toilets flush, the septic system is in good shape. We’ve inspected homes that were for sale with clean carpets and fresh paint, but the tank was inches away from a full-on backup.
We recommend pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years depending on usage. That’s your best defense against solids building up and entering the drain field. Avoid flushing anything besides waste and toilet paper, and never pour grease or chemicals down the drain.
Be cautious with landscaping over your tank or drain field. Deep-rooted plants or heavy equipment can damage the system. And keep an eye on water usage. Excessive water from leaky toilets or laundry overload can flood the system and shorten its lifespan.
If you want to be proactive, we can put your property on a routine inspection and pumping schedule. That way, you don’t have to guess when it’s time to check things out—we’ll stay on top of it for you.
