Smart Plumbing & Septic - Blog

Septic System Emergencies

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 01:45:58 GMT

Septic System Emergencies

Smart Plumbing & Septic is one of the few companies that legitimately offer 24/7 emergency septic service. Our customers are unlikely to have a septic system emergency as long as they maintain their systems according to our instructions, including periodic inspections.

Our Smart Loyalty Program Customers are even less likely to experience an emergency septic system failure due to the annual free comprehensive septic and plumbing inspection included in the program. There are no guarantees against septic emergencies, though, because a number of factors are unpredictable: nature, equipment failure, volume fluctuation, etc.

There are a few telltale signs that you have a septic system emergency:

1. Odor. There is no mistaking the unpleasant (to understate it) smell of raw sewage. You have a septic tank emergency if your home or business is suddenly filled with this unbearable aroma. Call Smart Plumbing & Septic immediately, no matter the time of day.

Your septic system is likely backing up into your plumbing which will possibly lead to toilet and drain overflow and a much more comprehensive emergency in short order

2. Your septic alarm is sounding. The alarm is there to alert you that your system is in peril and may fail. It may be caused by a system overload due to increased volume beyond the capacity that your septic system is designed to handle. If not addressed the emergency could also lead to leach field failure and very significant costs to correct. If you have recently remodeled and added an addition to your home, especially including additional bathrooms and/or other plumbing, it is important to address the increased waste water flow by adjusting your septic system to handle it.

Not all septic systems are equipped with alarms. Give us a call if you are interested in more info on adding an alarm to your system. They are designed to avoid more serious septic system emergencies.

3. Leach/Drain field pools. Pooling is a clear sign of a septic system problem that will become an emergency if it has not already. Your leach field is located relatively near your home or business in close proximity to your septic tank. Pooling may be caused by system overload, tank failure, clogged pipes, or a larger leach field problem. Call Smart Plumbing & Septic immediately if there is unusual pooling in your yard.

Keeping your septic system properly maintained is the best way to avoid septic emergencies. Annual inspections, like what we offer with our Smart Loyalty Program will help find any issues so they can be addressed prior to becoming a costly emergency.

Our Smart Plumbing & Septic team goal is 100% customer satisfaction. We offer 24/7 emergency service at a great value, but we prefer to help you avoid emergencies.

Have an emergency free day!

Make an appointment for a SMART Inspection today, and sleep easier tonight.

Call (928) 227-2091 now!!

Are You Aware of Arizona Septic System Transfer of Ownership Regulations & Responsibilities?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 02:05:13 GMT

Are You Aware of Arizona Septic System Transfer of Ownership Regulations & Responsibilities?

Due to recent experiences with customers selling and/or buying property (and their REALTORS®) with on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems, we at SMART Plumbing & Septic find it necessary to revisit the transfer of ownership responsibilities of all parties involved.

Whether you are selling or buying property with a conventional septic tank system, or an alternative on-site system, it is important that you understand the rules and regulations that must be adhered to before and after the transfer of ownership.

ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) succinctly describes buyers’, sellers’, and inspectors’ responsibilities on a relatively short PDF available on their website, linked below, titled "GROUNDWATER VALUE STREAM INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOTICE OF TRANSFER FOR AN ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY

https://static.azdeq.gov/forms/onsite_not.pdf

Sellers/transferors of property served by a septic tank or alternative on-site waste water treatment and disposal system MUST have the system inspected by an ADEQ qualified inspector within 6 months of the date of sale/transfer. The qualified inspector MUST provide the seller/transferor with a completed Report of Inspection (ROI) form. The seller/transferor MUST provide the ROI form, as well as any other documentation related to the on-site waste water treatment and disposal system, to the buyer/transferee of the property prior to the sale/transfer of the property.

Buyers/transferees MUST complete and submit the ADEQ Notice of Transfer form and fee ($50) within 15 days of the date of property transfer.

ADEQ qualified inspectors MUST comprehensively address the condition of the on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system, and describe in detail any deficiencies observed and repairs necessitated and/or completed on the ROI form. The inspectors MUST confirm on the ROI form that all septic tanks and/or wastewater treatment vessels on the property to be transferred were pumped/serviced to remove solid, floating and liquid waste aggregation (unless circumstances meet criteria for specific exceptions outlined in the ADEQ pdf.)

[SMART Plumbing & Septic ADEQ qualified inspectors recommend that both the seller/transferor and the buyer/transferee confirm independently that the transfer of ownership inspection reflected in the ROI form adheres strictly to ADEQ regulations. SMART Plumbing & Septic has been contracted numerous times to make repairs on systems that were not reported in the ROI forms signed off by other inspecting companies. In some cases, the system was not even inspected and/or pumped.]

The ADEQ transfer of ownership inspection program dovetails with the inspection criteria contained in the standard Arizona Association of REALTORS® real estate contract. REALTORS® will regularly facilitate the filing of required forms by sellers and buyers. The seller/transferor and the buyer/transferee of the property generally have individual REALTORS®.

[SMART Plumbing & Septic ADEQ qualified inspectors recommend that buyers/transferees have an independent inspection executed, when feasible, in order to protect their interests, just as they engage buyers’ agents.]

All parties involved - sellers/transferors, buyers/transferees, ADEQ qualified inspectors, and seller and buyer agents/REALTORS® - should understand their individual responsibilities regarding the transfer of ownership inspection program, in order to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts up to and including litigation, unnecessary expense, and system failures.

Given the dynamics of the seller/buyer relationship, especially given the current real estate market conditions, all parties MUST take responsibility for their individual interests in order to facilitate a fair and legal transfer of ownership for all involved.

Sellers/transferors and/or their REALTORS® need to take into account the timeline of the sales process under current market conditions in order to schedule the transfer of ownership inspection in a strategically timely manner. Scheduling needs to take into account that the local market is hot right now, which means that ADEQ qualified inspectors may be booked out longer than normal.

Sellers/transferors and/or their REALTORS® also need to plan for the possibility of the inspection revealing problems with the system that will either need to be addressed or will likely affect ongoing negotiations. ADEQ qualified inspectors MUST detail problems with the system on the ROI form. The seller/transferor team may choose to repair the problems prior to the completion of the ROI form. If so, the ADEQ qualified inspector will include a detailed accounting of the repairs executed on the ROI form prior to signing off on it.

[SMART Plumbing & Septic ADEQ qualified inspectors recommend that seller/transferor teams schedule a transfer of ownership inspection as early in the 6 month window as possible, in order to avoid potential time crunch issues related to escrow, and to reveal any issues with the on-site wastewater management system early enough to address comfortably and/or consider in the pricing of the property.]

If the seller/transferor team chooses not to address the issues revealed by the ADEQ qualified inspector, the issues with the system will be included in the ROI report provided to the seller/transferor, which will in turn be provided to the buyer/transferee team prior to property transfer. Once the ADEQ qualified inspector’s signed ROI is provided to the buyer/transferee team by the seller/transferor team, it is the responsibility of the buyer/transferee team to decide how to move forward with the transaction.

It is important to point out at this juncture that SMART Plumbing & Septic ADEQ qualified inspectors have on numerous occasions faced pressure by seller/transferor teams to provide inaccurate/deficient ROI forms in order to facilitate the related transaction. SMART Plumbing & Septic has never, and will never deviate from our responsibilities related to the ADEQ transfer of ownership inspection program.

SMART Plumbing & Septic is 100% dedicated to providing all of our customers with honest, professional service for an excellent value. We believe in treating every customer the way we would like to be treated.

If we are the kind of company/people that you would prefer to do business with, please give us a call for plumbing and septic needs, including inspections and 24/7 emergencies at (928) 227-2091.

Do NOT Flush “Flushable Wipes”

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 02:42:21 GMT

Do NOT Flush “Flushable Wipes”

We have discussed what should and should not be flushed down your toilets in previous blogs; flush nothing but toilet paper and human excrement.

“Flushable Wipes” are NOT toilet paper. They do not breakdown like toilet paper. Therefore, “Flushable Wipes” are a primary enemy of your septic system. They can clog your pipes, break your pumps, and disrupt your septic system’s ability to properly treat your sewage.

This is not a problem limited to septic systems. It has long been identified as a major issue for sewer systems across the country and around the world. “Flushable Wipes” fail to dissolve like toilet paper is designed to do, combining with fats, solids and other “Flushable Wipes” to create “Fatbergs” that clog major sewer systems with colossal gobs of grossness that disrupts sewer flows and the efficiency of treatment plants.

Flushable Wipes

are NOT

toilet paper!

We have all spent considerably more time stuck at home over the last 12 months. If you are a “flushable wipes” enthusiast, and you have been flushing them into your septic system, you may have a metaphorical ticking time bomb in your septic tank. At minimum, more flushes and the use of “flushable wipes” fills your tank more quickly.

It may make sense to get your tank pumped and system inspected early, due to the unusual circumstances of the pandemic.

Here is a list of items that should NOT be flushed:

1. Flushable wipes

2. Feminine hygiene products

3. Paper towels

4. Facial tissues

5. Condoms

6. Cotton swabs

7. Pharmaceuticals/antibiotics

8. Grease/oil

9. Cat litter

10. Cigarettes and cigars

11. Etc

If you need your system pumped and/or inspected, give us a call at (928) 227-2091, SMART Plumbing & Septic.

All Septic Systems Are Not Maintained Equally

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 07:54:30 GMT

All Septic Systems Are Not Maintained Equally

When was the last time that you had your septic system inspected and pumped? If your answer is more than 3 years ago, it is time to give SMART Plumbing & Septic a call at (928) 227-2091 and schedule an appointment. Alternative septic systems, with pumps, electrical floats, or mechanical parts should be inspected once a year.

Some people may wonder why inspections and pumping are necessary if the system isn’t broken? Do people wait for something to fail with their cars before changing the oil and filters, checking the belts, rotating the tires, etc? Those who do find out that the costs of repairs are far more painful than the $$$ that could have been spent on routine maintenance. Furthermore, your mode of transportation is safer to operate and more environmentally friendly when maintained properly.

The same goes for your septic system.

Maintaining your system begins and ends with a general understanding of what it is, how it works, and the simple but very important steps to follow to keep it running efficiently and safely for as long as you own it. While most septic experts would claim that the systems have four main components - pipe from the home, septic tank, drain/leech field, and proper soil - SMART Plumbing & Septic considers your home’s plumbing to be a fifth component. The other four may be maintained perfectly but if your home’s plumbing is not properly maintained the entire system may be overwhelmed and fail, requiring substantial investment to repair.

Your septic system was designed to handle a specific capacity of wastewater. A number of factors could lead to surpassing that capacity and the failure of the system. The number one factor taken into account when your system was designed and installed is the number of people who the system will serve. That generally considers the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home when it was built or when the system was installed. If there have been additions to the home since the septic system was installed, and the capacity of the system was not increased to handle the increased occupancy, your system may be getting overwhelmed, leading to failure.

Another factor that can lead to septic system failure is poor wastewater and solids management. Everything that goes down your drains and toilets ends up being treated by the system. Garbage disposals should be used sparingly, if at all, in homes with a septic system. Dishwashers and washing machines should not be operated simultaneously, nor multiple loads in succession. Clothes washing should be consciously scheduled to be spread out over the week. Nothing should be flushed down your toilet besides toilet paper and human excrement.

Your home’s plumbing should be well maintained. Faucet or toilet leaking add much more wastewater volume to the system than appearances suggest.

SMART Plumbing & Septic recommends that you include a home plumbing inspection with your typical septic inspection and tank pumping.

The piping from the home to the tank must be inspected for possible leaks and/or obstructions. SMART Plumbing & Septic utilizes a state of the art sewer camera to inspect both the pipes from your home to your septic tank, and from the tank to the drain field. If leaking and/or obstructions are detected, we have the equipment and expertise to repair the damage quickly and for a good value.

One of the most prevalent problems in our part of Arizona is tree root intrusion into your pipes. SMART Plumbing & Septic is equipped with a powerful, top of the line jetter capable of quickly clearing out most obstructions economically, avoiding more costly pipe replacement in the majority of cases.

A SMART Inspection always includes opening up your tank, checking scum and sludge levels, and thoroughly inspecting for leaks. Some homeowners have no idea where their septic tank and drain field are located. SMART Techs have the equipment and expertise to locate them quickly. It is very important for you to know where the components of your system are located, in order to avoid driving vehicles over them and causing serious damage to your system. By the time we have completed our work, you will be well informed about the location and operation of your onsite wastewater treatment system.

The drain field component of your system must be inspected to confirm it is properly treating your wastewater and it has not been overwhelmed. If the drain field is overwhelmed, the system may backup into your plumbing or into your yard, creating a very real health hazard. Your wastewater carries disease causing bacteria and viruses, among other things. It is important that these pollutants do not backup into your home, or enter the ground water insufficiently treated.

A SMART Inspection includes drain field and soil testing in order to confirm efficient operation.

Remember, when deciding on a company to pump your septic tank, that SMART Plumbing & Septic includes:

• Free estimates

• Free video inspection with pumping

All septic system inspections are NOT created equal. Make a commitment today to properly maintain your septic system, protecting the health and welfare of your family and community, while maintaining the value of your home.

Make an appointment for a SMART Inspection today, and sleep easier tonight. Call (928) 227-2091 now!!

To Flush or Not to Flush?

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 06:41:55 GMT

To Flush or Not To Flush?

Whether you have a septic system or you are on a public sewer system, it is important to remember that what you put into your drains effects the operation of your plumbing and septic systems. Toilets are not trash cans and drains are not chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products disposal systems.

Nothing but toilet paper and human waste should be flushed down your toilets. Toilet paper is specifically designed to breakdown/dissolve in your septic or sewer system. Petroleum products and household chemicals like paint/thinners, pesticides, oil, grease, gas, antifreeze, pharmaceuticals, feminine hygiene products, photographic solutions, etc., can clog your pipes, and they can degrade your septic system’s effectiveness.

Paper towels, baby wipes, wet wipes, non-flushable wipes are not designed to breakdown/dissolve like toilet paper, and therefore should never be flushed down the toilet. Even wipes that claim to be flushable do not breakdown/dissolve as well as toilet paper and should be disposed of in the garbage.

Cat litter, coffee grinds, dental floss, condoms, cigarette butts, diapers, aquarium gravel, socks, toys, spare change, etc., should never be flushed down your toilet if you intend to keep your pipes and septic system functioning properly.

What goes for your toilet also pertains to your sink, shower and bathtub drains since all goes through the same pipes and ends up in your septic or sewer system. Even if you have a garbage disposal, it is best to use it as sparingly as possible in order to avoid pipe buildup/clogs. Also, food fragments, even after ground down in a garbage disposal, do not breakdown as well as human waste.

SMART WATER CONSERVATION

Water conservation is important in the Quad City area that SMART Plumbing & Septic serves. Not only is it important for conserving the precious resource itself, it also conserves your hard earned $$$ whether you are on a public sewer system or your own septic system.

Water is not getting any cheaper on public systems. Conserving it is SMART money in the bank. If your water supply comes from your own well and flows through your septic system, it is important to conserve it as pragmatically as possible.

Septic systems can be damaged by being subjected to a water flow that is greater than they are designed for. That design is based on the usage expectations of the original design of the home or building, based on occupancy, number of bathrooms, and other factors.

If the original design was for a three bedroom, two bath house, and a bedroom and or bathroom has been added, and/or the occupancy has increased the increased water usage may overwhelm your septic system. The same goes for businesses and shops. If your septic system becomes overwhelmed it will lead to expensive repairs and (worse) it could lead to contamination of your water supply, and possibly a neighbor’s.

To avoid expensive system failures and water expense we suggest the following SMART ways to conserve water:

1. A SMART Inspection of your plumbing, septic, and sewer system will identify any problems, including expensive leaks. If there are any issues, the SMART Plumbing & Septic tech will explain your options for rectifying them, always including our SMART Solution.

2 . Consider installing faucet aerators and high efficiency shower heads in order to reduce overall water use and load on your septic system.

3. Use your washing machine efficiently. Avoid washing small loads on the large load cycle. Avoid doing multiple loads of wash on the same day in order to not overwhelm your septic system. Try to spread the loads out over the week. When it is time to replace your washing machine, consider replacing it with an Energy Star labeled model which will save 50% on water usage and 35% on energy.

4. Consider installing high efficiency toilets that can save 50-70% on your toilet water usage.

Review; Flush only human waste and toilet paper down your toilet, and limit what you put down your drains as much as possible, including with your garbage disposal. Conserve overall water usage as much as is comfortably feasible.

SMART Solution ; consider having a SMART Plumbing & Septic Technician thoroughly inspect your plumbing, septic or sewer systems for any issues that may be damaging your system or otherwise costing you $$$ and frustration.

Call, text or email us today, and a SMART Tech will be on the way! Do not wait until your system fails. We are here to save you $$$ and stress, including 24/7 emergencies. Serving Chino Valley, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, and surrounding areas. Call (928) 227-2091

In future blog entries we will explore in more depth common issues with septic tanks and drainfields.

We await your call or email to offer you the SMART Solution to your septic and plumbing issues. Be a SepticSMART home or business owner and take advantage of our special offer with every septic tank pumping today!!

How Often Should Your Septic System Be Inspected and/or Pumped?

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 18:54:56 GMT

How Often Should Your Septic System Be Inspected and/or Pumped?

Septic systems should be inspected at least every 3 years, although Arizona law only requires the property owner to do a Transfer of Ownership Inspection when selling the property.

https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/download/septictank.pdf

Some states require periodic inspection, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that septic and other onsite wastewater treatment systems be inspected at least every 3 years. The EPA also recommends that septic tanks be pumped every 3-5 years.

https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system

We at SMART Plumbing & Septic have discovered through extensive experience that many property owners with septic systems do not have their septic system inspected until they sell their property, or the system fails. In fact, in many cases, property owners do not bother to have their septic tanks pumped for 10 or more years. In a small number of cases, property owners are not even aware that they have a septic system until they decide to sell their property or the system fails.

Why do the EPA and SMART Plumbing & Septic recommend that property owners have their septic systems inspected at least every 3 years, and have them pumped every 3-5 years?

The primary/overarching reason to keep your septic system well maintained is simple common sense; be a SepticSMART homeowner. Your septic system is one of the most expensive and valuable parts of your property. It is also the primary system (when properly maintained) that keeps you and your loved ones healthy, and your piece of our environment clean. Therefore, if your system is not well maintained, you are not only at risk of being exposed to major repair and/or replacement costs that can and do often total tens of thousands of $$$, you are exposing yourself, your family, and possibly your neighbors to the potential of major health risks, including contaminated drinking water, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. You may also expose yourself to legal action.

SMART Plumbing & Septic is dedicated to educating you about your septic system and assisting you in the proper maintenance and service of it. Our goal is to make every customer with a septic system SepticSMART.

The vast majority of home and small business septic systems in the Quad City area of Arizona (Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey/Humboldt) are various versions of conventional decentralized wastewater treatment systems consisting of a septic tank and a leach/drainfield configuration.

https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems#conventional

All require monitoring, maintenance, and service in order to save the home or business owner money and to assure a safe and healthy environment.

Are you aware of the location of your septic tank and drainfield? We have had more than one customer who had no idea. It is very important that the system is not driven over or utilized as a parking area.

Have you made an addition to your home or business, possibly adding a bathroom, more bedrooms or additional kitchen facilities? Your septic system was designed for the original building and planned water usage at time of installation. It is possible that your system is being overwhelmed.

When was the last time that your system was inspected? A SMART Inspection may preempt costly problems down the road by insuring that your system is operating optimally under your current circumstances. It will include SMART Tips and Recommendations to help you become a SepticSMART home and/or business owner. Tips like what you should and should not flush down your toilet and pour into your drains.

When was the last time that you had your septic tank pumped? As mentioned above, the EPA and SMART Plumbing & Septic recommend that average functioning septic tanks be pumped every 3-5 years. More than once we have accessed septic tanks that were filled to the top with sludge/solids. In every one of those cases the result was far more costly than if the home or business owner had the septic tank pumped as recommended.

To incentivize you to become a SepticSMART home or business owner SMART Plumbing & Septic is offering a free video inspection of your septic tank inlet and outlet with your septic pumping. That is a $200 value that can identify problems that will cost much more if not repaired.

In future blog entries we will explore in more depth common issues with septic tanks and drainfields.

Do Your Drains & Sewer Need a SMART hydro-jetting?

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:40:32 GMT

Do Your Drains & Sewer Need a SMART hydro-jetting?

Last time we talked about the fact that septic system inspections are not created equal, and we explored in some detail our SMART septic inspection process. The first step in that process is to inspect the drains and pipes from the home or business to the septic tank. This blog post will talk about the SMART drain and sewer cleaning process, which can save you $$$ and frustration over the long haul, whether you are a home and/or business owner, or a property manager.

The SMART drain and sewer cleaning process begins with a thorough inspection of your drains, pipes, and sewer line from your home or business to the septic tank or city sewer system. SMART Plumbing & Septic utilizes a state of the art video camera system to execute the inspection, identifying any problems: clogs, grease buildup, root intrusions, ruptures, and more.

Following the inspection, the SMART Tech will report any issues to you, and explain clearly your options to rectify them. In most cases you will be given more than one remedy to your problems. We will always recommend the SMART option, saving you $$$ and frustration.

Many home and/or business owners, and property managers have experienced the frustration of chronic drain, sewer, and septic issues, not to mention the significant expense. Your pipes are constantly backing up even though you have employed every drain cleaning method, and you have had a professional snake the lines with cable periodically.

Chronic drain, sewer, and septic issues are especially common in restaurants, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hotels and motels, and homes with trees in the vicinity of the sewer or septic lines, like in the Chino Valley and Prescott region. Grease buildup combined with debris that does not dissolve sufficiently will recur more and more frequently if the system is not cleaned and maintained properly. Now throw unmitigated root intrusion into the mix and you have a never ending cycle of expense and headaches.

The answer to your nightmare is likely the SMART hydro-jetting option. SMART Plumbing & Septic is one of the very few companies north of Phoenix that employs a 4,000 psi hydro-jetter with nearly 1,000 feet of high pressure hose as an option for solving your sewer, drain, and septic issues. Our Spartan Warrior hydro-jetter is the SMART Solution for your chronic plumbing and septic headaches.

A SMART hydro-jetting will optimally clean your system of grease, debris, and roots, extending the life of your sewer, drains, and septic system, often saving you major expense on repair and replacement costs. Hydro-jetting your system is safe for your pipes, fast, and highly efficient. It is a SMART Solution which adds up to great value.

SMART Plumbing & Septic is dedicated to delivering the highest quality experience to every customer. We strive to accomplish that goal by honestly and thoroughly evaluating every customer’s unique plumbing and septic situation through expert, state of the art inspection. We then educate the customer on the results of our SMART inspection and offer options to rectify any problems, always including the SMART option. Finally, we execute the option that you - our valued customer - select with professional efficiency.

Is it time for you to wash away your drain, sewer, and septic headaches with a SMART Hydro-jetting?

Call or email SMART Plumbing & Septic today! We await our opportunity to serve you.

Not All Septic Inspections Are Created Equal

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:50:49 GMT

Not All Septic Inspections Are Created Equal

All techs at SMART Plumbing & Septic are Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) qualified septic system inspectors. Over the last several months we have been called out to troubleshoot problems with septic systems that had recently been inspected by companies that provided the owners with Report of Inspection (ROI) forms passing the systems.

Interestingly, the systems were passed without accessing or pumping them. It is not possible to properly inspect a septic system without accessing it. With very few exceptions, septic tanks must be pumped in order to be adequately inspected.

In several cases, homeowners were charged for inspections that were nothing more than a sign off. The systems failed in one way or another, and the homeowner was faced with unanticipated repairs resulting in considerable expense.

If one of our qualified septic system inspectors had performed the original inspections, the homeowners would have been informed of any issues and the final cost would have been less overall.

At SMART Plumbing & Septic we adhere to a strict septic system inspection process that is honest and thorough. We inspect each and every septic system as if it were our own. When we pass your system you can rest assured that it is fully functional; no surprises.

The SMART inspection process follows the flow of your sewage, first inspecting your pipes for problems from your home to the tank with our state of the art video camera system. We detect leaks, breaks, clogs, obstructions if any exist.

Next in the SMART inspection process we access your septic tank, and check the affluent level. That level may immediately reveal serious issues like cracks or other malfunction. The next step is to pump the tank (unless it has been pumped very recently) in order to thoroughly inspect the inside. We utilize our video camera equipment once again to verify the integrity of the structure of the tank.

The SMART inspection process does not end there. The flow into the drain field must be inspected and the drain field’s functionality must also be verified.

The SMART inspection process involves educating you, the septic system owner, about necessary maintenance that will save frustration and money, and finally includes the Report of Inspection (ROI), which you can trust will be accurate, and thorough.

Most people with septic systems on their property do not have them inspected until they are selling their home. Often it is the seller’s real estate agent who handles the arrangements for the legally required septic inspection that must be performed prior to property transfer.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requirements;

https://static.azdeq.gov/forms/onsite_not.pdf

Sellers need to verify that the company inspecting their septic systems are qualified, professional, thorough, honest, and dedicated to providing excellent service.

Buyers should protect their interests and confirm that the inspection before transfer is legitimate, including hiring their own company to confirm the functionality of the septic system that is about to become their responsibility.

SMART Plumbing & Septic awaits our opportunity to serve you. Call or email us and allow us to provide you with the SMART inspection process you deserve, not to mention peace of mind.

Smart Plumbing & Septic - Blog

Septic System Emergencies

Septic System Emergencies

Are You Aware of Arizona Septic System Transfer of Ownership Regulations & Responsibilities?

Are You Aware of Arizona Septic System Transfer of Ownership Regulations & Responsibilities?

Do NOT Flush “Flushable Wipes”

Do NOT Flush “Flushable Wipes” ﻿

Flushable Wipes

are NOT

toilet paper!

All Septic Systems Are Not Maintained Equally

All Septic Systems Are Not Maintained Equally

To Flush or Not to Flush?

To Flush or Not To Flush?

How Often Should Your Septic System Be Inspected and/or Pumped?

How Often Should Your Septic System Be Inspected and/or Pumped?

Do Your Drains & Sewer Need a SMART hydro-jetting?

Do Your Drains & Sewer Need a SMART hydro-jetting?

Not All Septic Inspections Are Created Equal

Not All Septic Inspections Are Created Equal

Do NOT Flush “Flushable Wipes”