Common Issues Found During Septic Tank Inspections

If you’ve ever scheduled a septic inspection, chances are you’ve heard something like, “We found a few issues with the tank.” That’s because, more often than not, we do find something wrong. It’s rare that a septic tank is in perfect working order — and that’s not necessarily due to neglect. These systems are buried, largely out of sight and out of mind, and even normal use over time can cause wear and tear.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common problems we find during septic inspections and why they matter.

1. Broken or Missing Tank Lids

One of the first things we check is the condition of the tank lid. A broken or missing lid is not just a minor inconvenience — it’s a serious safety hazard. Not only can it allow debris, animals, or even people to fall in, but it can also let in rainwater, which overloads the system. Tank lids should be secure, intact, and designed to withstand the elements.

2. Deterioration of Outlet Tees

The outlet tee is a critical part of your tank that helps control the flow of wastewater into the drain field. Over time, these fittings can degrade, especially if they’re made of older materials like concrete or cast iron. A deteriorated or missing outlet tee can allow solids to enter the drain field, leading to costly system failure.

3. Cracks and Holes in the Tank

Concrete septic tanks, especially those that are decades old, can develop cracks or even large holes due to shifting soil, tree root intrusion, or long-term water damage. These openings can cause untreated wastewater to leak into the surrounding soil or groundwater, posing environmental and health risks.

4. Broken Baffle Walls

Baffles are internal walls in the septic tank that slow down wastewater and help separate solids from liquids. If these are broken or missing, solids may exit the tank too quickly, overloading the drain field. This can lead to backups, foul odors, or even a complete system failure.

5. Tree Root Intrusion

Roots are a common issue in septic systems — especially if there are trees or shrubs planted too close to the tank. Roots seek out moisture and can force their way into tanks through small cracks or joints. Once inside, they can cause blockages, structural damage, and ongoing maintenance headaches.

Final Thoughts

Septic systems are out of sight, but they should never be out of mind. Regular inspections are the best way to catch problems early — before they become major repairs or replacements. If you’re buying a home with a septic system or haven’t had yours inspected in a while, it’s worth scheduling a professional evaluation. In our experience, it’s rare that we walk away from a tank inspection without finding at least one issue. But identifying those issues early is the first step toward keeping your system healthy and functional for years to come.

Also note that Quality Home Consultants has a Septic Maintenance Program to help you maintain your septic tank and provide discounts for any future septic repairs that come up!

Why Regular Septic Tank Inspections and Pumping Are Crucial

Your septic system plays a vital role in managing household wastewater, yet it’s often one of the most overlooked parts of a property. Regular inspections and timely pumping are essential not just for the health of your system, but for your home, environment, and wallet.

Prevent Costly Repairs
Routine inspections can catch small issues—like leaks or blockages—before they turn into expensive repairs or full system failures. A neglected septic tank can overflow or back up, causing damage to your property and creating a health hazard.

Protect Your Health and the Environment
An overfilled or failing septic tank can contaminate nearby groundwater, wells, and local water sources with harmful bacteria and pathogens. Regular maintenance helps ensure your system is operating safely and not polluting the environment.

Extend the Life of Your System
Pumping your septic tank every 3–5 years (depending on usage and household size) removes solid waste that builds up over time. This simple step can significantly extend the lifespan of your system and avoid premature replacements.

Peace of Mind
Knowing your septic system is functioning properly gives you confidence that you’re protecting your home and your family. A quick inspection today can save a lot of hassle tomorrow.

Join Our Septic Maintenance Program
Take the guesswork out of septic care with our convenient Septic Maintenance Program. We’ll handle the scheduling, inspections, and pumping to keep your system in top shape year-round—so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

If it’s been a while since your last septic check-up, don’t wait. Contact us today to learn more or to sign up for the program!

Why Regular Home and Septic Inspections Are Worth Every Penny

When was the last time your home or septic system had a check-up?

Many homeowners wait until there’s a problem—a mysterious odor, a slow-draining sink, a foundation crack—before calling for help. But just like going to the doctor, preventative care can save you from costly surprises down the road.

Here’s why regular inspections matter:

✅ Early Detection Saves Money
Catching a small leak or crack early can prevent thousands in repair costs later. We’re trained to spot issues before they become emergencies.

✅ Peace of Mind for Homeowners and Buyers
Whether you’re settling into your forever home or preparing to sell, knowing the condition of your structure and septic system brings confidence—and often, bargaining power.

✅ Avoid Septic System Nightmares
A failed septic system can cause massive damage and even lead to health hazards. Routine inspections help ensure everything is working as it should—no backups, no stink, no stress.

At Quality Home Consultants, we don’t just check boxes—we educate you about your home’s condition and how to keep it in great shape. Inspections aren’t just for when things go wrong—they’re how you keep things going right.

Need an inspection? Let’s take a look before it becomes a problem. Call today!

Pre-Listing Home Inspections for Sellers

Are you thinking of selling in 2025? It might be a good idea to have your home inspected before listing. Here are some reasons why more sellers are doing pre-listing home inspections. A pre-listing home inspection can help sellers identify and address potential issues with their home before listing it for sale. This can save time and money during negotiations and help the sellers in marketing their homes more effectively. 

Benefits of a pre-listing inspection: 
  • Save money: A seller with a pre-listing home inspection can save money in the long run because they can account for repair costs in the asking price or even be able to fix the issues before listing the home. 
  • Avoid surprises: Knowing what is on the inspection report can help your sellers anticipate what buyers might ask for in repairs. Allowing for no surprises and the ability to get those items fixed before a buyer can ask for money off the purchase price or to have them repaired for potentially a higher price.  
  • Sell faster: Homes with pre-inspections can potentially sell more quickly and have fewer inspection-related issues. 
  • Build trust: Disclosing the pre-listing home inspection to prospective buyers can provide potential buyers with transparency and ultimately shows they openness and trust amongst all parties. 
  • Stand out: Having the pre-listing inspection can also highlight your home’s value to potential buyers. 
How to get a pre-listing inspection:

  • Decide on the scope of the inspection – Do you want just the home inspected? Or do you want the septic system, well, look for termites, etc?
  • Hire Quality Home Consultants of course! We are licenses and certified home inspectors in WNC!
  • Get a detailed written report – All our inspections come with a written detailed report. 
  • Include the report in your listing 
Cost: 
You can expect to pay around $400–800 for a pre-listing inspection. The cost depends on the size of your home and if you decide to have other inspections added (ie. septic inspection, well, termite, etc).  
Ultimately having a pre-listing inspection helps to foster an atmosphere of openness and trust, allowing prospective buyers see the big picture from the very beginning, building their confidence in the home seller and listing agent. This is especially useful in a seller’s market where homes are selling with no contingencies.

Water Woes: Tackling Basement, Crawlspace and Foundation Concerns

It’s no doubt that Asheville and WNC sees A LOT of rain each year, we are part of a temperate rain forest system after all. With all that rain comes the potential of having water that can intrude into your homes basement or crawlspace causing lots of different issues. Below is a list of some key actions that we recommend you take to avoid these sometimes costly water woes.

Key actions to take:
  • Exterior drainage: Make sure that the soil around your house is graded down and away from the foundation in order to direct water away. 
  • Clean gutters and downspouts: Regularly remove debris from gutters to ensure that water flows properly away from the home.
  • Extend downspouts: Ensure downspouts direct water far away from the foundation by extending them with additional piping.
  • Check for cracks and seals: Inspect your basement walls and foundation for cracks, and seal them with appropriate materials.  
  • Install a sump pump: Place a sump pump at the lowest point in your basement to collect and pump out excess water.  
  • Interior waterproofing: Apply sealant to basement walls and floors to prevent water seepage. 
  • Monitor humidity: Use a dehumidifier to control moisture levels in the basement. With elevated moisture, mold can take over and wreck havoc on a home.
  • Install window well covers: Protect basement windows from rain and debris with covers. 
Not sure what to look for? That’s okay! Give QHC a call and we can inspect your gutters, look for foundation cracks, check your crawlspace vapor barrier, check humidity levels, and more!
Schedule today: https://www.qualityhomeconsultants.com/

Home Inspection Tips for Buyers in 2025

Are you planning to buy a home in 2025? Here are some tips that can help you through the home inspection process as a new home buyer.

1.HIRE A PROFESSIONAL : You should make sure to hire a professional home inspector to examine each part of the home. If you understand what the inspector is looking for, you can ask informed questions that help you better understand the extent of any damage. QHC home inspector’s have a comprehensive checklist of items they are looking for when performing the inspection and when filling out the home inspection report.

Item’s our home inspectors will look at during the inspection include:

  • Roofing, chimney structure, and attic
  • Exterior of the home including siding, deck structures, windows and doors, and more.
  • All kitchen components including kitchen appliances, plumbing, outlets, etc.
  • Interior components including the walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors.
  • Bathrooms and all their components including plumbing and electricity.
  • Structural components to include foundation, basement or crawlspace.
  • Plumbing systems inside the home to include the hot water tank, main water shut off and more.
  • The home’s electrical system including the main electrical panel, GFCI outlets/regular outlets, smoke detectors, etc.
  • All Heating and HVAC system components.

2.  ATTEND: We recommend attending the home inspection with your real estate agent so that the home inspector can walk you through their findings. You will still receive a written report that goes over the property’s major features and outlines any issues. The report will likely list many issues, but you don’t need to be concerned about every item on the list. An inspector can help you separate the trivial matters from the hazardous ones.

3. PREPARE QUESTIONS:  Prepare a list of any general questions you would like to ask concerning the homes condition or future maintenance, and make sure to tell the inspector about            anything you are especially concerned about, so he can address those items during the inspection.

4. CONSIDER ADDITONAL INSPECTIONS: Here at Quality Home Consultants, we offer a slew of other inspection services including Termite/Wood Destroying Insect inspections, Well    Testing, Water Testing, Radon Gas Testing, and even Septic Tank Inspections.  You may want to consider adding any of these services in conjunction with the home inspection depending if the home has these associated functions.

When buying a house, the last thing you want is surprise expenses. Hiring a qualified home inspector can help you avoid major repairs and give you the information you need to make the right decision. We hope you take these tips into account when hiring for your next home inspection!

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January is National Radon Action Month: Are You At Risk?

January is National Radon Action Month! Have you had your home tested for radon gas? The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. This might be the perfect time to think about testing your home for this potentially harmful gas. What is Radon you ask? Radon, is a naturally occurring radioactive […]

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QHC Septic Maintenance Program

It is recommended that you have your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years to keep your septic system running efficiently!

Another important recommendation for your septic system is monthly additives!

Here at Quality Home Consultants, we supply you with a 12 month supply of septic tank additives as part of our septic maintenance program!

Each level of the program comes with additional benefits including pumping of the tank, discounts on septic repairs, the monthly additives, and more!

See the chart below and call us today to enroll.