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Septic Inspection in the Portland Area
Speedy Septic offers septic tank inspection services in Portland, The Dalles, Hermiston, and surrounding Oregon areas, including full system evaluations and stress testing.
The short version
What to know
01
Septic inspections evaluate the tank, drain field, distribution box, and inlet/outlet lines to tell you the true condition of your system.
02
Scheduling an inspection when you notice warning signs, are buying or selling a home, or are due for maintenance can help catch hidden problems and avoid costly repairs.
03
Speedy Septic offers comprehensive 21-point septic system evaluations for homes and businesses across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Professional Septic Inspections for Homes and Properties in the Portland and Vancouver Area
Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, seller, real estate agent, or property owner, a certified septic inspection gives you a clear picture of your system’s health. These evaluations tell you the true condition of your tank, drain field, distribution box, and inlet and outlet lines when you buy, sell, troubleshoot, or maintain a property. If you suspect something’s wrong with your septic, call Speedy Septic for a professional inspection. Our technicians perform comprehensive evaluations of your entire system to catch minor issues before they become major repairs and costly emergencies.
Professional Septic Inspection Services in Portland, OR
Our professional inspection services offer more than just a quick look inside your tank. Every inspection includes our 21-point stress test, including a full, documented evaluation of your system’s condition, components, and risks, so you know exactly where things stand. Our technicians understand the systems common to homes in Oregon and Southwest Washington and provide clear, honest assessments, whether you’re dealing with a home sale, recurring backups, or routine maintenance.
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Septic Inspection
When Should You Schedule a Septic Inspection?
The most common reasons homeowners schedule a septic tank inspection in Portland include:
Routine maintenance to confirm your system is functioning properly
Slow drains throughout the house
Foul odors near the tank or drain field
Sewage backups or recurring drainage issues
Before buying or selling a home
Septic Inspection for Buying or Selling a Home
Most home buyers will ask for a real estate septic inspection as a condition of the sale. Scheduling a septic inspection before buying a house helps you understand what you’re taking on and avoids costly septic repairs or system replacement after closing. Septic inspections for home sales also provide sellers with documented proof that the system is functioning properly, helping avoid legal issues later.
What Happens During a Septic Inspection?
When you call us for a septic inspection, we perform a complete evaluation of your septic tank and system, including a 21-point stress test, so you can have total confidence in it going forward. Here’s a look at our process.
1. System access and initial review
Our technicians begin by locating your tank and performing an initial review. If you’re unsure of your tank’s location, we can check county permit records to find it.
2. Septic tank pumping or cleaning when needed
Before the stress test, the technician will usually need to pump or empty your septic holding tank to observe the tank's interior.
3. Tank and component inspection
Once your tank is clean, we’ll perform our 21-point stress test using state-of-the-art technology. We’ll perform a full diagnostic, including camera footage of the inlet line, video location of system components, analysis of tank sludge accumulation, and a comprehensive review of system conditions, components, risks, and recommendations.
4. Drain field and distribution box review
We always evaluate the drain field and distribution box to check for standing water, soggy ground, odors, and early warning signs of failure.
5. Testing, documentation, and recommendations
Finally, we’ll perform tests to check for leaks, proper flow, and drainage. Before you leave, we’ll walk you through our findings, provide a clear report on your system’s condition, and offer repair or maintenance recommendations.
Septic Inspection vs. Septic Pumping: What’s the Difference?
Septic Service Guide
Septic Inspection vs. Septic Pumping
Septic pumping removes waste from the tank, while a septic inspection evaluates the condition and performance of the system.
Pumping is often needed before a full inspection because it allows the technician to see inside the tank and check key components more clearly.
Septic Pumping: Removes solids and waste from the tank.; Routine maintenance, full tank, backups.
Septic Inspection: Evaluates the system’s condition.; Buying or selling, troubleshooting, maintenance.
Septic Repair: Fixes damaged or failing parts.; Cracks, leaks, broken pipes, pump issues.
Septic Locating: Finds the tank or system components.; Unknown tank location, unclear property records.
What Does Speedy Septic Check During a Septic System Evaluation?
We perform a comprehensive Septic System Stress Test for every residential septic inspection or pumping service that evaluates:
The condition of the septic tank and cleanout.
Whether the tank is draining properly and the lid is properly sealed.
Condition of the drain field.
Proper slope of the inlet line from the house to the tank.
Signs of sewage above the normal level.
Signs of root infiltration.
Internal tank plumbing condition.
Proper slope of the outlet line.
Whether pipes are free of buildup.
Condition of the distribution box and whether it’s draining properly.
If solids are present in the distribution box.
Common Septic Problems Found During an Inspection
After your technician finishes their septic tank inspection, they’ll provide you with a report of their findings. Below are some of the most common issues we find in Oregon and Southwest Washington homes:
Pump failure
Cracked or leaking septic tank
A tank that’s overdue for pumping
Root infiltration in the tank or lines
Buildup or blockages in the inlet or outlet pipes
A failing distribution box
Same-Day and Urgent Septic Inspection Availability
When you discover a backup in the middle of the night or closing day is drawing near, you can count on our team for same-day and urgent septic inspections in Vancouver, WA, and Oregon. We offer around-the-clock availability throughout Portland and the Columbia Gorge, providing fast, accurate inspections that keep your system running smoothly and sales on schedule.
Why Homeowners Choose Speedy Septic for Septic Inspections
For over 40 years, homeowners across Oregon and Washington have chosen Speedy Septic for our speed, integrity, and quality. Our fully licensed, bonded, and insured technicians service residential and commercial properties throughout the area and provide a level of detail that can’t be matched. Our septic inspection company has the biggest fleet in the state, never does extra work until you’ve approved the estimate, and offers honest recommendations from start to finish.
Septic Inspection Service Areas
Ready to schedule a septic system inspection in Portland or Vancouver? Explore our service areas below.
Eagle Creek / Clackamas County Area
Estacada, OR 97023
Sandy, OR 97055
Boring, OR 97009
Damascus, OR 97089
Oregon City, OR 97045
Clackamas, OR 97015
Happy Valley, OR 97086
The Dalles / Columbia Gorge Area
Mosier, OR 97040
Hood River, OR 97031
Dufur, OR 97021
Maupin, OR 97037
Tygh Valley, OR 97063
White Salmon, WA 98672
Bingen, WA 98605
Septic Tank Inspection FAQs
Ken is one of the most experienced technicians here at Speedy Septic. We recently asked him which questions about septic tank inspections homeowners ask most often when he gets out of the truck. Here’s what he had to say.
Schedule a Septic Inspection in Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA
Septic inspections are among the easiest ways to keep your septic system healthy and to catch small problems before they turn into costly repairs. At Speedy Septic, we have the experience and expertise to quickly handle any septic issue and prepare your system for a sale, purchase, or everyday use.
Don’t wait until problems arise, contact Speedy Septic today to schedule a septic inspection near you!
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Not sure what you need? Describe it on the phone and we will tell you straight.
Septic Inspection
Common questions
Who pays for a septic tank inspection in a real estate transaction?
Typically, the buyer will request the seller pay for the cost of the septic tank inspection. Local rules and regulations for real estate contracts can vary and may dictate who pays for the septic inspection.
How often does my septic tank need to be inspected?
At Speedy Septic, we perform a septic tank inspection every time you get your septic tank pumped. At a thousand-gallon septic tank, which is most common, and let’s say four people live in a house, we like to pump every three and a half to four years.
Why do you clean the tank with every pump job?
Every pump job that we do, we like to clean the tank so we can do an evaluation of the working components inside the tank, whether they’re baffles, seams, integrity of the tank/cracks in the concrete. So we evaluate the system after every pump job so we make sure you don’t have any problems in the future.
How do I find my septic tank?
Most septic tanks are located in the front or back yard, a short distance from your house, or along the main sewer line. If you’re unsure where yours is, we can look up the county record to find its location.
Should I install a riser?
It makes the easiest way to access the tank in case you have a backup issue, some kind of problem with a leaky tank or maybe something not operating correctly, it’s the quickest way to get into it, to get it pumped out. Also, a riser is code to today’s standards. It brings the lip to grade. One thing you don’t have to worry about is having to tear up your yard to locate the tank every time. A riser makes it very easy.
Do septic additives work?
I’ve gone on jobsites where the customer says I’ve been putting additives in my tank every month. What’s wrong? I explain to them you have to remove everything that’s in the septic tank. You can’t just put additives in and expect it to go away. You have to remove everytnhing that won’t break down. And there’s material in there the bacteria can’t digest, so we remove it, and that’s the best method I’ve experienced.
How do I know what size tank I have?
What I run into the most is the one thousand gallon septic tank. If you have a larger home, maybe five bedrooms or more, then you might have a fifteen hundred gallon tank.
Why do you need to pump the tank before inspection?
Pumping the tank before inspection allows our team to evaluate its integrity, size, and components to ensure it drains properly and is up to code. It also allows us to clearly spot any cracks, leaks, or damage before they turn into costly repairs.
What is the difference between septic pumping and septic inspection?
Septic pumping is a routine maintenance service that removes sludge and solids that build up in your tank over time, while inspections evaluate the overall condition of your system to spot problems and confirm everything is working properly.
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