Upfront Septic performed a Property Sale Inspection and Repair Service (RSS) at a property in Graham, WA. Because the home is located in Pierce County, septic pumping was also required as part of the property sale inspection process. The property has a pressure septic system with a 1,125-gallon septic tank and a separate pump tank.
Upon arrival, our technicians accessed the pump tank, which has a concrete lid mounted on a concrete riser. The lid and riser were not airtight or watertight, indicating that improvements are needed to help properly seal the access point. The septic tank had risers over the outlet and main access points for both compartments. However, the inlet remained buried approximately 42 inches below grade and was partially located beneath a small tree, requiring additional excavation to access it.
During pumping, our technicians were able to remove most of the contents from the septic tank. However, wipes and rocks accumulated on the floor of the first compartment repeatedly clogged the pumping hose, while additional rocks were found in the second compartment. These obstructions made it difficult to completely pump the tank and should be addressed to help support future maintenance.
Our team also performed a pump drawdown test, recording a rate of 1.5625 inches per minute. The tank alert system was tested at the garage control panel. Although the indicator light illuminated when the float was raised, the audible alarm did not sound, indicating that the alarm system needs further attention.
Recommended follow-up work includes installing a 12-inch riser over the buried inlet and extending the existing concrete pump tank riser with a 24-inch riser. Additional attention to the pump tank's sealing and the nonfunctioning audible alarm is also advisable. Completing the recommended work can improve access for future maintenance and help address the concerns identified during the property sale inspection.
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