An inspection port is a vertical PVC pipe that most times is 4 inches in diameter that is installed in a drain-field. They are code mandated by law in most states and they are extremely useful for checking the level of the wastewater in a drain-field. It allows home owners, septic inspectors, and service providers to determine if it the septic system is working as designed. If the level of water in the drain-field is high and it doesn’t go down, this can be a sign of failure, overloading or a high water table condition.

Inspection ports should be installed at both ends of the trench or septic field. It is recommended to use 4” PVC pipe and it should extend to the bottom of the trench or septic-field. Holes should be drilled in the pipe up to the level of the top of the trench or septic-field bed. The pipe should extend from the top of the system to the ground surface, although above ground is recommended. It should not be connected to distribution piping.

If your septic field does not have an inspection port you will need to add at least one, we recommend at least two. You will need to locate your septic field. If you don’t have a design plan for your septic system we recommend contacting your local health department and get a copy. If it was built in the last after the year 2000 most health departments will be able to email you a PDF copy.

To install the inspection port you will need the following components per inspection port;

• 1- 4 foot piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe
• 1 - 4” DWV MIPT cleanout plug
• 1 - 4” DWV MIPT cleanout female adaptor

Once you locate the septic-field you will need to dig a hole about 18 inches in diameter and deep enough until you reach the top of the sand, usually about 30 inches deep. Make sure you know where you are digging so you do not damage the drain-filed laterals in the process. You will have to make 2 piles wile digging. One pile for the dirt and the other pile for the stone. Once you reach the top of the sand you will need a 4” diameter perforated PVC pipe. We recommend using schedule 40 PVC pipe and drilling 1/2 inch holes on the lower part of the pipe, the part that will be sitting on top of the sand and surrounded by the stone. Do not drill holes in the section that will be surrounded by dirt or sticking above ground. You will also need a 4” screw on cap and fitting on the part that part of the pipe that is above ground. See drawings on the left of the screen for reference.

There are two easy ways the inspection port pipes can be secured into a conventional rock systems. They can be anchored  using a 12- to 18-inch section of rebar, or anchoring a toilet flange at the bottom of the pipe. The goal is to securely anchor the inspection port so it does not move around, remains VERTICAL, or get accidentally removed when accessed. It also ensures a consistent measurement of liquid depth either manually or using SAM™.

For an infiltrator chamber drain-filed, the PVC pipe is attached to the chamber at the port location provided by the manufacturer and secured with stainless steel screws. In the chamber, the pipe extends to the infiltrative surface and is perforated to allow an accurate measure of liquid depth. Always remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

An inspection port is a critical component of managing a septic system. It allows for ease access for septic service providers and septic system inspectors can assess whether the soil treatment area or drain-field is accepting the effluent delivered. In the last 10 years many local regulatory agencies have made it mandatory and require that inspection ports are installed in drain-fields, trenches or beds.

This allows a quick way to see whether effluent is ponded in the system and what proportion of the system is being used.

Many homeowners object to a bunch of pipes sticking above ground and they also seem to attract riding lawn mowers like magnets. An effective way to provide access is to bring them into a valve box at the surface. That way they are easily found and identifiable. Caps on the pipe should be screw-type. If slip or push-on caps are used, they should be slit on the side to allow easy removal. That way a septic inspection port can be hidden by the valve box to increase the aesthetics of the property but still give easy access to the inspection port, bottom left drawing.

We recommend hiring a septic installer to install the inspection port or ports in your septic-filed. The above instructions are basic and CoreTech Inova LLC (and its affiliates and its and their officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents) will be held harmless, including costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, from damage claim arising from trying to install your own inspection port.