Upfront Septic responded to a request for an RSS septic inspection at a property in Woodinville, WA. Upon arrival, our technicians located the two-compartment septic tank and pump tank in the backyard. Both tanks were flooded, so our team used a CrustBuster to break up accumulated solids and pumped approximately 1,000 gallons from the septic tank.
During the inspection, the inlet and outlet baffles appeared to be in good condition, and there were no visible signs of major deterioration in the tank floors or walls. The septic tank appeared to be functioning properly at the time of service. However, slight root intrusion was found where the risers for both septic tank compartments meet the tank. Resealing both 24-inch risers was recommended to help prevent further root intrusion.
Our technicians also inspected the distribution box at the back of the property and found that its concrete channels were filled with dirt and roots. Drainfield maintenance was recommended for further evaluation. The system passed a 22.5-minute stress test, indicating it met the test criteria during the inspection.
The pump system required additional attention. The high-level alarm float was attached too short to the float tree, preventing it from rising far enough to trigger the alarm. Our team adjusted the float to allow it to activate when needed. However, when the pump float was tested, the pump did not turn on, indicating that the pump had failed and needed replacement.
Recommended follow-up work includes replacing the failed pump with a Model SP50MCI1 using 2-inch PVC, resealing both 24-inch risers, and evaluating the need for drainfield maintenance. Although the septic tank itself appeared to be in good condition, addressing the pump failure and other identified issues is important for reliable system operation.
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