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Pre-Sale Septic Inspections in Sudbury & Area

Buying or selling a home or camp on septic? The tank and leaching bed are buried, and a problem can be expensive to fix. Before closing, it pays to find out what is in the ground, what records exist and what shape it is in. This page sets out the steps in plain language.

1. Get the records

Public Health Sudbury & Districts issues septic permits in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. Owners can request a copy of their property's septic records (PHSD sewage systems page). The PHSD forms page also has a file search request and a copy of a record request, as well as a form to transfer a sewage system permit to a new owner. Ask PHSD which one fits your situation and how long it takes. Outside PHSD's area, ask the local health unit or municipality.

Ask the seller for pump-out invoices, repair receipts and any diagram showing where the tank and bed are.

2. Book a hands-on check

Ask your home inspector exactly what septic checks they include. Many buyers also book a septic company to pump the tank and look inside. Before you book, ask for the scope in writing. A thorough check usually covers:

• Finding the tank and bed, and checking that the lids are safe and secure
• Pumping the tank and looking at the baffles, inlet, outlet and any effluent filter
• Checking liquid levels and the sludge and scum layers
• Walking the leaching bed for wet spots, smells or surfacing water
• Testing any pumps, floats and alarms
• A written report that says what was checked and what could not be seen

3. Watch the season

Snow and frozen ground can hide warning signs and make the lid hard to reach. A winter inspection may be limited, so ask what can and cannot be checked and plan your offer conditions around it.

4. If it's a holding tank

A holding tank has no leaching bed and must be pumped whenever it fills. Ask for the pump-out history, and in Greater Sudbury check whether the tank is registered for the city's holding tank pump-out rebate.

Safety: never lean into or enter a septic tank. The gases inside can kill. Leave it to professionals.

Listed companies that mention inspections

These companies mention inspections on their site or listing. Ask each one what its inspection includes and whether you get a written report.

Status: Confirmed = the company's own site or an official source shows it operating. Likely = listed in directories with little recent activity. Unclear = call before relying on it.

For other qualified professionals, see the OASIS Find a Professional map.

Sources

• PHSD sewage systems page and PHSD forms page (Public Health Sudbury & Districts)
• Government of Ontario: Septic systems
• RECO: Home inspections

FAQ

How do I find out if a property's septic system had a permit?

In the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, Public Health Sudbury & Districts holds septic permit records. Its forms page has a file search request and a copy of a record request. Ask PHSD which applies to you.

Does a regular home inspection cover the septic system?

It varies. Ask the home inspector exactly what septic checks are included. Many buyers also hire a septic company to pump and look inside the tank.

Can a septic system be inspected in winter?

Often only partly. Snow and frozen ground can hide signs of trouble and make the tank lid hard to reach. Ask what can be checked and plan your offer conditions around it.

What should a septic inspection report include?

What was checked (tank, baffles, filter, liquid levels, leaching bed, pumps and alarms), what was found, and what could not be inspected.