Septic Inspection When Buying A House !EXCLUSIVE!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over one in five U.S. households are fitted with their own septic system. These systems treat and dispose of wastewater from your toilet, shower, sinks, and washing goods.

septic inspection when buying a house

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Although they are designed for long-term durability, structural problems in the septic system can occur, with common problems including blockages in plumbing or clogged sections of drainfield. Unfortunately, despite the health implications of living around a malfunctioning septic system, the septic tank is often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance and repair identification.

During the visual inspection, an inspector will access your septic system by opening your septic tank manhole and taking some high definition photos of the interior. A loading and dye test involves flushing a dye through your septic system and inspecting the area surrounding the tank for any dye-treated wastewater leakages.

If you opt for a more comprehensive septic inspection, the inspector will have time to conduct a top-to-bottom examination of your septic system, from its electrical components and mechanical plumbing to its effluent screens and scum/sludge levels.

There are four different septic inspection levels available, ranging from a brief visual inspection to a thorough pump, soil, and engineering evaluation. While higher grade septic inspections are more expensive and time-consuming, they are your best chance for the early detection of functionality issues or potential hazards.

During a level 1 septic inspections, a septic inspector will open the manhole cover and conduct a limited assessment of the effluent screens and waste pipes. In some jurisdictions, state law requires a full septic tank pump out before a level 1 inspection can be carried out.

A level 3 septic inspection is the most comprehensive type of inspection on the market. In addition to everything outlined in the level 0,1 and 2 inspections, level 3 inspectors will also assess the soil conditions around the septic leaching area and drainfield.

Like building and pest inspections, the cost of septic inspections are shouldered by the buyer in question. While specific costs will depend on your location and chosen inspection level, most buyers can expect to pay between $260 and $420 for a septic inspection by a licensed septic technician.

Are you confused about why you might need a septic inspection before selling your home? Or are you buying a new home with a septic system? Get expert advice on septic systems and work with an experienced real estate agent in the process.

Before purchasing a house, prospective buyers usually hire an inspector to complete an inspection. The inspection often includes inspecting the structure of the house and checking for any pests. One of the most important aspects of the house is the septic inspection.

The water and waste from the house go into the septic tank. Once in the septic tank, the waste settles to the bottom where the natural bacteria breaks it down. The liquid rises to the top and goes through an absorption area. The absorption area is a series of pipes that run from the septic tank to the drain field.

According to most experts, you should get your septic tank inspected at least every three to five years. The inspection usually lands around the time that you should also have a professional septic tank pumping service pump the tank. Pumping the septic tank is necessary to keep your septic tank healthy and in satisfactory working order.

A visual inspection involves asking a few questions, such as how old the house is, how often the owner pumps the septic system, and when the last inspection was. The inspector will then flush all the toilets and run all the water in the house to make sure the water pressure is up to par and everything is draining properly. Finally, the inspector will go out to the drain field to make sure there is no standing water, which can indicate a cesspool.

In a full inspection, inspectors will remove the cover to the septic tank and check the water level. The water level can or show whether the water is draining properly. The inspector will then run water in the house to make sure it is properly flowing from the house to the septic tank, and to make sure the water level within the tank does not rise when they introduce more water.

The inspector may use a dye test during this part of their inspection. In a dye test, the inspector will introduce dye into the water that is being drained to see how much of it enters the septic tank.

Keep in mind that the cost may vary based on the person or company inspecting your septic system. In some states (like Texas), you don't have to have a license or certification order to inspect septic tanks. While this may reduce some of the cost, it also means you could get someone that doesn't really know what to look for during the inspection.

Some counties don't mandate a septic inspection before a sale, while others require an in-depth inspection. To find out if you need to have a septic inspection before a sale, check with your county's health department. Completing your own pre-inspection can also help you identify any issues.

You'll also want to make sure a third-party inspector completes a thorough inspection. It may be tempting to get an inspector that will go through the inspection quickly and sign off with a gold star. But that could result in you purchasing a house with a bunch of problems down the road.

Septic systems are highly efficient, as long as you maintain them properly. Do your due diligence by getting regular, professional septic inspections and pumping your septic system regularly. You can also maintain it by not putting any non-biodegradable or hazardous chemicals down your drain.

The septic system begins at the sanitary pipe from the house that transports wastewater to the septic tank. The septic tank is a large container usually made of concrete, fiberglass or steel. The tank is buried and is watertight allowing the liquid in the tank to slowly break down solids and safely dispose of liquids.

As you can now see, a wide range of potential problems can occur with a private residential septic system. While most systems continue to work just fine for years, inspection at the time of sale is a wise choice.

You want to find out about any potential problems before you close on the property. By making the septic testing a part of the inspection process, you have the ability to get the home seller involved in any additional repairs through the inspection objection contingency.

A septic system inspection is one of those home maintenance tasks that you might put off, and then put off some more. Because septics exist underground in the backyard, they are often out of sight, thus out of mind. But letting it go too many flushes without an inspection can result in some major problems if the system fails.

Cost depends on how extensive the septic inspection is as well as the size of the tank, which is usually either 1,000 or 1,500 gallons. But a basic septic system inspection typically runs between $300 to $600, says Boudreau.

Septic systems are built to match your home for local code. These local laws may have rules around septic tank inspection, maintenance and replacement. Some state and local health departments require a septic tank inspection before you can transfer the title. They may also require you to put in a larger septic tank if you decide to expand and add plumbing.

The annual maintenance costs for a septic tank are typically minimal, except for years when you need an inspection, or the sludge needs to be pumped out. In that case, you can expect to pay between $300 and $600.

When buying a home with a septic tank, ask for inspection records and be aware that there may be local laws/ordinances regarding septic systems. A septic inspection should be part of the general home inspection you need before purchasing the property.

If you are buying or selling property with a septic system installed, an inspection of the system may be part of the process. Certain types of ownership changes have different requirements. Learn what your requirements and rights are.

The property is subject to a comprehensive local plan of septic system inspection approved in writing by MassDEP and administered by a local or regional government; and the system has been inspected at the most recent time the plan requires. 041b061a72