but are topped with a cement block (removable) or a pie pan. One had bugs in it the other seemed to have dirt/debris. The home is listed as built in 1962 but may be a bit older.????

To get a proper inspection done call a septic contractor, not a home inspector. Home inspectors inspect homes, not septic systems.

A proper property sale inspection is actually a fairly involved process:

1. The contractor will first do a visual inspection looking for signs of surfacing effluent around the drainfield.

2. They will then dig up the manhole cover to check the liquid level in the tank. If it is low then the tank either has a leak or was recently pumped...watch out. Note: Some tanks do not have a manhole cover. Instead they are 3 or 4 flat slabs and they lift one off. A real cover can be installed for easier future servicing.

3. They will look at the contents of the tank. If the toilet paper products are not breaking down this will indicate an over-use of chemicals hindering the bacterial process in the tank.

4. Assuming the tank is full, they will then run 100-200 gallons of water into the system, then start pumping the tank. If this 100-200 gallons of water begins coming back into the tank from the drainfield it will mean the drainfield is slow or failing.

5.When the tank is empty, they will estimate the size of the tank in gallons and visually check to see if the in-let and out-let baffles are in place and of the proper size.

6. They will then dig-up the distribution box to check for a high content of sludge and the number of drainfield lines.

7. From there they will check the length of the drainfield runs by running a line into each pipe and using a probe to get the depth of the trenches. With this information they can estimate the square footage of the drainfield. In some cases they may have to dig into a trench to get this information.

8. They should then take a soil boring to ascertain the depth of the seasonal water tables.

At this point the contractor will have enough information to give you an opinion on the system. The obvious question is if the system is functioning, but a more important question is, does the system meets current code requirements. Many people have purchased a home with a toilet that flushes, but at some point they find out the septic system is too small, too deep, or
nothing more than a straight pipe out to a field or ditch...now they, as the new owners will be forced to put in a proper system.

The contractor should then give you his report in writing with estimates for any suggested up-grades. If the system does need any work, you take this estimate to the sellers and factor it into the selling price of the home.

If the system gets the OK...them you know you are starting out with a good system. This inspection process will cost you $150-$500 but is well worth it...I can't say it enough, many people have found out after buying the house that they will be forced to fix the septic system and it gets tough when you just spent every penny you have on a down payment and moving expenses.

A few tips:

a.. Get a full service contractor, one that does designs, installations and pumping. A pumper can pump and inspect the system, but they generally don't fix problems which means you will be calling a second contractor and a second billing. A full service contractor can not only do the pumping and inspection, but they can also do any repairs you need...often a missing
baffle or broken pipe can be fixed right then.
b.. As long as you have them out there, and the system checks out, have them jet the lines in the drainfield to remove any built up sludge and have them install an effluent filter in the tank. These filters stop the larger solids from reaching the drainfield and most system failures occur when the drainfield gets plugged with solids. You are going to want these things done
sooner or later so you may as well have it done now.
c.. To find a good contractor, call the health/zoning department and ask for a list of certified contractors...then ask them who they would use if they wanted a system inspected, they will usually steer you in the right direction. Some contractors will not need to check the size of the drainfield because they installed the system or know who did.

Once you know you have a good system, then start using it right, don't over-use water or chemicals, have the system pumped and inspected* every 1-3 years, put a filter on your washing machine (to stop the smaller solids from plugging the drainfield) and you may never have a problem with your system.

*A pumping inspection is a lot less involved than a purchase inspection...a pumping inspection is just opening the manhole to pump the tank, visually looking inside the tank for things that shouldn't be there, and hosing off the effluent filter.