Septic System Questions & Answers from Friendly Pros Serving King & Snohomish Counties

Formerly Snohomish Septic, Woodinville Septic, Kingsgate Septic and Evergreen Onsite, we’ve combined to streamline our operations, and we’re excited to reintroduce ourselves as The Septic Group! Continuing to serve Snohomish and King counties, The Septic Group retains the same personnel with the same expertise, superior customer service and competitive pricing. The only difference you’ll notice is our new name and logo. As always, we provide great responsiveness and an enhanced range of services. We look forward to serving you!

Does King County require septic system inspections for home sales?

Yes.  The Seattle-King County Public Health Department requires a septic system inspection by a licensed On-site System Maintainer (OSM) before title transfer of any home served by a septic system. Our OSMs complete an Operation/Performance Monitoring Report, and submit it to the county with the filing fee and the as built to fulfill the requirement.

Is an as built necessary for this type of inspection?

Yes.  King County requires submission of an accurate as built with the property transfer inspection reports. If an as built is not on file, we can create one for you.

Does Snohomish County require septic system inspections or pumping for home sales?

No.  The Snohomish County Health District does not currently have requirements regarding septic inspections or pumping, but your lender may require these services prior to purchase. Required or not, we recommend an operational inspection before you buy to make sure the septic system is in good working order.

Is pumping the septic tank necessary when selling a house?

No.  Unless the buyer specifically states in the purchase and sale agreement that septic tank pumping be performed, it’s not mandatory. Our OSM can advise if pumping is recommended, however.

Do you offer regular septic service and maintenance plans?

Yes.  We can tailor a plan for your specific septic system and lock in pricing for two years.  We also offer a reminder service so you never have to worry about forgetting when inspections are due.  Call our office for more information or to create your plan.

How do I know if my septic system needs pumping?

Septic tank pumping is recommended every 3 to 5 years. If you’re unsure of your last service date, we’ll gladly check your levels to determine whether pumping is necessary.

How do I know where my system is located?

You can usually locate your septic tank by finding the lid(s) in your yard.  Usually round and made of concrete or green fiberglass, lids are often level with your yard surface but may be buried underground.  If you can’t find your lid, contact your county health department to obtain an as built (drawing of your septic system) that shows your septic system’s location.

Do I need to pump my pump tank at the same time as my septic tank?

Your septic pump tank will not fill as often as your septic tank, but to save you time and money, we recommend they both be pumped to keep your septic system in proper working order and free of any build-up.

If my pump tank is full, does it need to be pumped?

A full pump tank could indicate your septic tank is over capacity or your pump is not working properly.  We recommend you have a technician come and advise you of your best course of action.

I’m experiencing liquids bubbling out. What do I do?

If you see liquid bubbling out of your tank lid, if your toilets gurgle when flushed, or if your fixtures are slow to drain, your septic tank could be flooded or the filter in the tank could be clogged.  In either case, you should contact us right away.

Contact Us With Any Additional Septic System Questions in King & Snohomish Counties

Serving Snohomish, Arlington, Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Edmonds, Everett, Fall City, Granite Falls, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Newcastle, Redmond, Sammamish, Seattle, Stanwood & Woodinville