Inspection Packages
Septic Inspection
The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission (“NSREC”) recommends that home buyers have a septic system inspected prior to finalizing the purchase of a property. This inspection may help protect against future unexpected costs by identifying potential issues.
We will inspect your septic system and its accessible components (out-flow line, septic tank, discharge pipes and leaching field headers). Our visual inspection with a sewer camera will give you an idea of the state of the various components of your septic system and determine if it’s draining adequately, as well as detect any notable blockages, damaged components, or sags in the pipes.
Our Septic Inspections include:
- A camera inspection through an exposed clean-out pipe that runs from the home to the septic tank
- An inspection of the septic tank
- A camera inspection from the septic tank to the septic field through an exposed outlet hatch
- A tracer dye test using environmentally friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic dye tablets
- If inspecting an intermittent-use property, such as a cottage or vacation home that has been vacant for an extended period of time, we recommend performing a hydraulic load test. Please call for more details
For this testing to be completed, the tank needs to be completely exposed (NOTE: if risers are already in place on the septic tank, this counts as exposed)
Municipal Sewer Inspection/Lateral Inspection
Many municipal bylaws advise that maintaining the sewer pipes connecting a private property to a public sewer system is the responsibility of the property owner. If a pipe is found to be damaged, leaking, deteriorating, or constructed with “no-corrode” piping, then that pipe must be replaced at the homeowner’s expense.
Our Municipal Sewer Inspections include:
- A camera inspection through an accessible clean-out
- A report on pipe condition to the property line
- Verification that a backflow valve is present
Well Flow Rate Testing
The average Canadian household will use roughly 1,000 litres of water per day. Households with greater water usage demands could easily double or triple the average demand on a water well. Well Flow Rate Testing determines the quantity of water available from a well by looking at a combination of well depth, pump setting, static water level, estimated well yield, available storage, and pump characteristics. Well Flow Rate Testing is a crucial step in determining a well's capacity, draw down rate, and recovery rate, giving you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from your well on a daily basis.
For Dug Wells:
- Water level will be noted before initial draw down of the well
- The well will be pumped at a rate of 16 litres (4 gallons) per minute for 1 hour (or as close as possible to this rate)
- Determine water level recovery rate over a 1–2-hour period after draw down is complete
Water Quality Testing
Thinking of purchasing a home that is on a private well and not on a municipal water supply? There are a couple of things you will need to consider.
If you are planning to get a mortgage for the property purchase, your realtor should let you know that you will need to have a water test completed. The bank will require a water test showing that the well water is free from bacteria, and your lawyer will need evidence of that to close the transaction. While banks don’t require that the water be free from minerals, it’s a good idea to know what’s in your drinking water as certain minerals can be harmful to your health – as well as the lifespan of your plumbing.
Nova Scotia Environment advises that drinking water (potable water) should be tested for bacteria every six months and a chemistry analysis and metals scan should take place every two years (annually if your home’s water source is a lake or river) – or sooner if you notice any changes to the taste, colour, clarity, or smell of the water. This will give you the information you need to assess the water quality of your well, and decide on appropriate treatment options if necessary.
Water Quality Testing Process:
- Sample collection per Nova Scotia Environment guidelines
- Delivery to a lab approved by the Province of Nova Scotia
(Rush service is available for chemical analysis testing for an additional fee)