Pumping
Routine and emergency pump-outs for septic tanks, holding tanks, RVs and waste water. Most homes are due every two to three years.
Septic inspections
Septic inspections for buyers, sellers and owners
Buying, selling or finally finding out what you own. We pump the tank down and tell you what's actually there.
A septic system is one of the most expensive things on a rural property and one of the easiest to ignore until it fails. An inspection tells you what you actually own before money changes hands.
We pump the tank down, go through the parts that can genuinely be assessed and give you a plain-language answer. If nothing needs doing, that's what you'll hear.
What the job includes
The tank, opened and pumped
A full tank hides everything under the liquid line. We pump it down first so the walls, the floor, the divider and the outlet are all visible.
Baffles, inlet and outlet
Missing or broken baffles are one of the most common findings on older Okanagan systems, and they're the reason solids end up in a field that then has to be replaced.
Filter, lids and risers
The effluent filter comes out and gets looked at properly. We check lids and risers for cracks and whether the access is sealed and safe to walk over.
Where the system actually stands
Overall condition, what needs attention now and what's worth putting in the budget over the next few years. Enough to negotiate with or to plan around.
Where we work
Vernon and the North Okanagan
We handle inspections across every community we serve, from in-town lots to the far end of Westside Road.
Septic inspections questions
Do I need an inspection to sell my house?
Not by law. On rural and lake properties, though, buyers and their agents ask for one during the subject period often enough that it's worth doing before you list. Having it already in hand removes a bargaining chip and keeps the deal moving.
Does the tank have to be pumped for the inspection?
Yes. There's no way to assess a tank you can't see into, so the pump-out is part of doing the job properly rather than an extra line on the invoice.
How long does an inspection take?
One visit for most residential systems. Digging out a buried lid is what usually stretches it, along with tank size and how far the truck has to park from the tank.
What happens if you find a problem?
You get a straight description of what it is and how urgent it is, plus what fixing it normally involves. Some of that work we do ourselves. If it falls outside what we handle, we'll point you to who does it.
Also from us
Other septic services
Servicing
Filter cleaning, lid and riser work, alarm checks and pump testing, so the small stuff stays small.
Repairs
Backed-up lines, failed pumps, broken lids and damaged pipe. We fix what we find or point you to who can.
