If you have a septic tank on your property and want to sell your home, you will need to pass a Title 5 inspection for your septic system in most states. A Title 5 inspection is designed to protect buyers from purchasing a home with a failing septic tank. To pass a Title 5 inspection, you can do a few things to ensure a passing grade.

Step #1: Get Your Tank Pumped

Although you are not required to get your tank pumped before your inspection, doing so will make the inspection process easier. By pumping your septic tank and removing all waste from your septic tank, you allow the buyers to start their ownership with a clean tank. A tank full of sludge, especially sludge that shouldn't be there, could impact your ability to pass your inspection. Getting your tank pumped will help increase your chance of passing the inspection.

Step #2: Get Your Tank Cleaned

Second, you should get your tank cleaned when you get your tank pumped. Getting your tank pumped will remove all the built-up junk that gets stuck to the inside of your tank. Cleaning the inside of your tank will show off the excellent condition that your tank is in and make it easier for you to pass your Title 5 inspection.

Step #3: Keep Harsh Chemicals Out of Your Septic Tank

Third, it is good general practice not to allow harsh chemicals into your septic tank. Harsh chemicals can eat away at the structure of your septic tank and disturb the appropriate bacteria levels in your septic tank.

When you know you have an inspection coming up, you want everything to be working correctly, including the bacteria level in the tank, so be sure to not allow harsh chemicals down your drain and into your tank.

Step #4: Limit Your Water Usage

During the Title 5 inspection, the inspector will run water through your septic tank and make sure it is leaching out properly into the drain field. You want to make sure that your drain field is not overfilled with water before your inspection. To get your drain field in the best possible position for the septic tank inspection, you will want to limit your water usage for a week or two leading up to the inspectors to ensure there isn't too much water in the leach field.

If you want to ensure you pass your Title 5 septic system inspection, get your tank pumped and cleaned, limit your water usage, and keep harsh chemicals out of your septic tank. These four steps, along with good long-term maintenance, should help you pass the inspection.