Frequently Asked Questions What is the homeowner's role in the inspection process? Suppose you contacted your local health department, found the right people to inspect your system, and scheduled an appointment—now is your role in the inspection over? Not if you're smart. Your continued involvement will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you benefit as much as possible from the process. Gather Information One way homeowners can aid the inspection process and save considerable time and money is to provide the professionals performing the inspection with as much information about the system as possible. An "as-built" drawing of the system or reports from previous inspection or maintenance visits, for example, will help the inspector locate the system and inspect it thoroughly. Other helpful documents include operating manuals or manufacturer information for system components. Gathering this information in advance and having it on-hand at the inspection will help homeowners save time answering the inspectors' questions, and it may save the expense of someone else having to do the research. Be Present It is important for someone living in the home to be present during the inspection to answer any questions the inspectors have about the habits and lifestyle of the system users and to let the inspectors in the house to examine pipes and flush toilets. Another good reason for homeowners to be present is to oversee the inspection as an added precaution to ensure that everything is done thoroughly and correctly--for example, that any soil or sod that is removed is replaced neatly. Ask Questions Inspections are an excellent opportunity for homeowners to learn about their system and how to best care for it. It is a good idea to follow the inspector to observe and ask questions. Some health officials and other onsite system professionals are very good about taking the time to interact with homeowners and educate them about proper system operation and maintenance. However, like any group of people, different inspectors have different personalities and priorities, and it sometimes will be up to the homeowner to ask for this information. Return to FAQ's