Septic System Inspections

Every property and situation calls for a different level of detail, so TLC Patriot offers three septic system inspection types: comprehensive inspections for real estate transactions and deep diagnostics, visual inspections for routine check-ups, and sewer camera inspections for pinpointing problems inside the lines themselves. All three are performed by experienced technicians who work on septic systems across Yellowstone, Stillwater, and Carbon counties every day -- and every inspection ends with a clear written report you can actually use.

Our most detailed inspection option provides a full system assessment. Starting at approximately $900, comprehensive inspections include evaluation of the tank structure, sludge and scum measurements, inlet and outlet baffles, distribution box, drain field condition, and all pump and electrical components where present.

This is the inspection lenders and buyers rely on for real estate transactions, and the one we recommend when a system is showing symptoms and you need a definitive diagnosis. Reports are delivered within 48 hours, with rush options available for tight closing timelines.

A visual inspection provides an overview of your system's overall condition. Starting at approximately $475, this option is ideal for routine maintenance checks and general peace of mind between comprehensive inspections. We assess visible and accessible components, check for surface indicators of drain field distress -- soggy ground, effluent surfacing, unusually green grass -- and identify any immediate concerns worth deeper investigation.

Some problems can't be diagnosed from the surface. Using advanced camera technology, we inspect your sewer lines from the inside, locating root intrusion, bellied or broken pipe, grease and scale buildup, and blockages -- and marking exactly where they are so any repair is surgical rather than exploratory. Camera access is typically through a roof vent, clean-out, or toilet.

A camera inspection is especially smart before buying an older home around Billings, where original clay or Orangeburg sewer lines may be decades past their design life. Knowing the condition of the line before you close can save you thousands -- and if the footage reveals buildup or damage, our own jetting and descaling and excavation crews can complete the fix without bringing in a second company.

Buying or selling a home? Choose the comprehensive inspection -- it's the only option detailed enough to satisfy lenders and give buyers real confidence, and on homes more than a couple of decades old we recommend adding a sewer camera inspection of the main line. Just want an annual health check on a system with no symptoms? The visual inspection covers the key indicators at less than half the cost. Chasing a specific problem -- recurring clogs, slow drains, odors? Start with the camera: seeing inside the line usually identifies the culprit in a single visit.

If you're not sure which fits your situation, call us and describe what's going on. We'll recommend the least expensive option that actually answers your question -- and if a visual inspection turns up something concerning, its cost can inform whether stepping up to a comprehensive assessment makes sense.

Montana's deep frost, clay-heavy soils in parts of the Yellowstone valley, and wide seasonal swings put stress on septic systems that milder climates never see. Frost heave can shift lids and crack lines; spring runoff can temporarily saturate drain fields; and long winters make surface symptoms easy to miss until they become emergencies.

Regular inspections catch these issues early, when fixes are measured in hundreds rather than tens of thousands of dollars. Whether it's a pre-purchase comprehensive inspection or an annual visual check, staying ahead of problems is the most cost-effective septic strategy there is.