A MAJOR PROBLEM IN OUR AREA - HOW DO YOU FIND THAT OLD SEPTIC SYSTEM?

It seems like we are always finding some kind of new problem concerning Septic Systems. Our latest experience is related to a waterfront home we recently showed. Built in 1966, on only one quarter of an acre of beautiful Hood Canal waterfront. But (a) there is no "As Built" in county records; and (b) the original owners have passed away. Our buyer is extremly interested in the poperty but is concerned about making an offer because of this situation.

We have found locally there are at least two companies that will attempt to solve this kind of problem. One company's process is to first locate the Septic Tank, and they have ways to do that; then they employ sensors and a camera to map the Drain Field. In one instance the company uses Fiber Optic sensors inserted in the tank's output side, then they move the sensors through each leg of the field. They can determine the depth of the lines, sometimes the material the lines are made of and most importantly they will map the system. According to the county, if done properly these drawings can be accepted for the county records as the "As Built" documentation for a home. We were told that a ROM estimate for the above service would be on the order of $500. With the cost of waterfront being what it is these days that seems like a fair price to pay for that kind of information.