Frequently Asked Questions
Water Testing
When the tech arrives on site, it takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes for them to collect the sample. The science behind the tests take a certain amount of time – unfortunately there is no way to “rush” it.

If cancelled one business day before, water test and trip fee are 100% refundable. You can pay with a debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) over the phone or online from the invoice.

If water and power are not on when we arrive, we cannot collect the sample and a wasted trip fee will be charged. House must not be “winterized”. If you are the buyer, please have your agent let the list agent know that you will be ordering a water test and that the house cannot be winterized, and water and power must be on.

This is a point in or on the house: hose spigot, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub, etc. This is what most lenders want​. Samples can be taken at other locations (such as well head) upon request, but please note that some lenders will turn down such a test. We do need access to an outside hose spigot or inside of the house for the test – if there is a lockbox, combo, or other access that we are granted permission to use, no one needs to be present.

If you want well head and house tested, that is 2 sources and 2 samples​.

They can authorize us to release them to additional people.​ We will answer general questions and questions about results (but we will not release results). Example: We can’t answer “Did the test pass?” or “did it come back with bacteria?” but we will answer “My house tested positive for Total Coliform, what do we do?”

Radon Testing
  • Do not touch, bump, move, or otherwise interact with the testing box.
  • If the house is occupied, go about your normal routine, except as follows:
    • Keep exterior doors and windows closed (as you would in winter).
    • Leave the HVAC set as it would be set normally in an occupied house.
    • Leave ceiling fans off.

If cancelled one business day before, radon test is 100% refundable. You can pay with a debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) over the phone or online from the invoice.

Price includes testing and reporting. Each test will be one location in the house.

They can authorize us to release them to additional people. We will answer general questions and questions about results (but we will not release results).

Example: We can’t answer “Did the test pass?” or “Did it come back over the limit?” but we will answer “My house tested at 5, is that over the limit?” or “My house tested over the limit, what do we do?”.

Well Inspection

A system is one connected set up.

  • Example: One water source into two pressure systems, each feeding a separate structure is one system.
  • Example: A water source that feeds on pressure system and one house. Another water source feeds another pressure system and another house (the water from the two systems never meets). This is two separate systems and two inspections, even if they are on the same property.

If cancelled one business day before, the trip fee is 100% refundable, and the well is 50% refundable. You can pay with a debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) over the phone or online from the invoice.

From order to report takes about 5 to 7 days. The time frame to schedule depends on weather, demand, location of property, etc.
They can authorize us to release them to additional people. We will answer general questions and questions about results (but we will not release results).
  • Example: We can’t answer “How did it go?” or “were there any issues?” but we will answer “The report says the pressure switch needs to be replaced – what is this, what does it do, how much is it to replace it?”

If we arrive and the house is winterized or power is off, a wasted trip fee will be charged.

We need to know so we can ask the right questions and make sure we have all the access we need.

We will still refer to it as a well inspection, but it may or may not include all the items in a standard well inspection and may include other components such as a spring box, cistern, etc.

There are many different ways spring systems can be set up – with or without a pump, with or without a pressure system, etc – we don’t know what a system includes until we are onsite.

Components must be readily apparent and accessible – we are not climbing through poison ivy, thorn thickets, etc. Components must be within about 1/4 of a mile of house/parking area. We do not locate undiscovered water sources.

The water source should be outside: if its in a shed, make sure the shed is not locked; make sure its not overgrown; etc. Wells should not be buried – we do not dig up buried wells.

Well Chlorination

By state rules, the chlorination process takes at least 2 days. If everything goes well, the water sample can be taken on the second day. Depending on the system, sometimes it takes an extra day to complete the chlorination and take the sample.

After the water test is collected it takes about 2 business days to get the report. Unfortunately, the science for the water test takes a certain amount of time and can’t be “rushed”.

  • The water should not be used until the chlorination is complete!

If cancelled one business day before, the service is 100% refundable. You can pay with a debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) over the phone or online from the invoice.

Water needs to be running to the house. House can *not* be winterized.

If water and power are not on when we arrive at the house, we cannot do the service and a wasted trip fee will be charged.

The state says the chlorination is the method to treat bacteria in wells.

A properly done chlorination kills the bacteria 99% of the time, however, occasionally a well will need a second treatment.

Rarely, a well will have an underlaying condition that is causing the bacteria and multiple properly done chlorination will not produce a clean test. In that case most people install a UV Light.

They can authorize us to release them to additional people.​

We will answer general questions and questions about results (but we will not release results).

Septic Inspection

A system is one connected set up.

  • Example: Two structures feed into one tank, which feeds into one drainfield – that is one system.
  • Example: The house feeds into one tank, which feeds into one drainfield. A later addition to the house has a separate tank and drainfield. This is two system and two inspections, even if they are on the same property.

We need access to all components of the system including the main tank lids, pump tanks, etc.

Please see this page for more information about accessing the septic tank.

Please make sure the area around the system components are clear of brush, personal items, pets, etc.

They can authorize us to release them to additional people.​

We will answer general questions and questions about results (but we will not release results).

 Example: We can’t answer “How did it go?” or “were there any issues?” but we will answer “The report says the outlet tee needs to be replaced – what is this, what does it do, how much is it to replace it?”

If cancelled one business day before the septic inspection is 50% refundable. (This covers the prep work, property & permit research, lost appointment, etc).

We may need to run water to flush an e-locator, check system performance, etc.

We need to know so we can ask the right questions and make sure we have all the access we need.

Any NC Licensed Septic Installer can do any of the repairs recommended in the report.

WNCIL is a NC Licensed Septic Installer and we do offer repair services – please ask us if you’d like an estimate.

Once a septic inspection is ordered and paid for:

811: We are required by law to call 811 before digging to have the utilities marked. We are required to give them 3 full business days to mark. For example, if payment is made at noon on Monday, we call Monday afternoon, they have Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday to mark and we can inspect on Friday.

Request a Permit: We are required by our licensing to request a permit from the county. The 3 days for 811 gives the county time to get back to us. Some counties in this area take longer to respond, but we don’t have to wait beyond the 3 days for their response.

Paperwork: The state licensing law requires that we get two forms signed before we do a point of sale septic inspection. The first is a client contract, the second is written permission from the owner. These can also usually be completed during the three days for 811.

After the inspection, we email the report over within about two business days. This means it takes about a week to 10 days from ordered to report.

This time frame may also be affected by weather, demand, location of property, pump truck availability, etc.

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