Septic tank inspections
Septic inspections in Central Oregon
A professional look at your septic tank's condition: levels, baffles, cracks, leaks and blockages. You get a straight answer on what's fine, what to watch, and what needs fixing.
What we check
What does a septic inspection include?
We open the tank and check the parts that fail most often: the levels, the baffles, the tank itself and the lines going in and out.
The goal is to catch small problems, like a cracked baffle or a tank that's filling faster than it should, before they turn into a backed-up house or a ruined drain field.
Inspections are especially worth it if you've just bought a home, the tank hasn't been looked at in years, or you're seeing slow drains or smells and want to know why.
- Locate and open the tank
Find the lids, dig them out if needed, and open the tank safely.
- Liquid, sludge and scum levels
How full the tank is and how close it is to needing a pump.
- Inlet and outlet baffles
Missing or broken baffles let solids escape into the drain field.
- Tank walls and lid
Cracks, corrosion, root intrusion or a lid that isn't sealing.
- Signs of leaks
Liquid level lower than the outlet, or water running back in from the line.
- Line blockages
Backups or slow flow between the house and the tank.
- Drain field surface
Soggy ground, sewage smell, or unusually green grass over the field.
- Your report
A plain-English rundown of what we saw and what, if anything, needs doing.
When should you book an inspection?
You just moved in
You don't know when it was last pumped or what shape it's in. Find out before it finds you.
It's been 3+ years
The EPA's rule of thumb is an inspection at least every three years for a household system.
Something seems off
Slow drains, gurgling or smells are early warnings. An inspection tells you which one you're dealing with.
Buying or selling
Tell us what your agent or lender is asking for and we'll say whether our inspection covers it.
Google reviews
What customers say
“We bought an old fixer upper house and the tank was full of sludge and hadn’t been pumped for 15-20 years. Ranch country came out. They arrived right on the scheduled time and they had all the right tools in their truck to do the job right and quickly.”
“Great service they definitely go out of their way to provide excellent service”
“My septic got a clog late on a Friday night. Saturday morning I called and ranch country had their home septic driver on the way to me in less than an hour. They had a hydro jetter mounted on the truck and were able to get everything taken care of.”
FAQ
Septic inspection FAQ
Don't see your question? Call (541) 648-7114 and ask a real person.
How often should a septic system be inspected?
The EPA recommends having a household septic system inspected at least every three years. Systems with pumps, alarms or other mechanical parts may need it more often.
Can you inspect a septic system when I'm buying or selling a house?
Yes, we can look at the tank as part of a sale. Lenders, agents and counties sometimes ask for a specific type of report, so tell us what you've been asked for when you call and we'll let you know if our inspection covers it.
Do you pump the tank during an inspection?
Pumping lets us see the walls, floor and baffles properly, so we often recommend doing both in one visit. If the tank doesn't need pumping, we'll say so.
How long does a septic inspection take?
It depends mostly on how easy the tank is to find and open. Buried lids take longer. We'll give you a time window when you book.
Want to know what's going on down there?
Book an inspection, or ask us whether you need one. Free quotes, no hidden fees.