How to Repair a Septic Inspection Pipe

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Things You'll Need

  • Shovel

  • PVC saw

  • PVC coupler

  • PVC pipe

  • PVC primer

  • PVC cement

Septic system inspection pipes facilitate system troubleshooting.

Septic system inspection pipes provide visual access to septic system maintainers so they can assess the health of a system and troubleshoot problems. Inspection pipes are installed on septic tanks over baffles and in drain fields. Drain-field inspection pipes allow maintainers to inspect the liquid level of the drain field. Clogged inlet or outlet septic tank baffles are cleaned through septic tank inspection pipes. Inspection pipes can be damaged if lawn mowers or weed trimmers hit them.

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Step 1

Use a shovel to dig around the pipe. Dig until you have reached six inches below the break in the pipe.

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Step 2

Use a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) saw to sever the pipe below the break.

Step 3

Clean the hub in the coupler fitting and the stub of the inspection pipe with PVC primer.

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Step 4

Apply PVC cement to the primed areas and push the stub into the hub. Turn the hub a quarter turn and hold for 30 seconds.

Step 5

Measure the distance between the newly installed coupler to ground level.

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Step 6

Cut a piece of pipe to the measured length with a PVC saw.

Step 7

Clean the first four inches of the pipe and the coupler hub with PVC primer.

Step 8

Coat the primed areas with PVC cement and push the pipe into the coupler hub. Turn the pipe one quarter turn and hold it for 30 seconds.

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Step 9

Saw down from the top of the pipe one inch on four sides with the PVC saw. This will facilitate cap removal in the future.

Step 10

Place a cap onto the top of the inspection pipe and push down until it is fully seated.

Step 11

Return the excavated soil to the hole.

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