When you buy a house with a septic system, there are a couple of things that you should pay special attention to. Unlike homes that have access to city sewage, properties with septic systems depend on an underground tank and a drainage field to take care of wastewater. Although such systems are highly effective and can last for decades, they need regular maintenance lest you face some highly expensive problems. It's important to understand what a septic system consists of and how it is maintained before the sale, so you can take it over after moving in.
The first thing you should do upon considering a home with a septic system is to request an inspection by a licensed septic professional. This inspection will help you ensure that the system is in good working condition and give you an idea about how much life may be remaining in the tank and drain field. Generally, a septic inspection would cover checking the septic tank for any cracks or leaks, the condition of the drain field, and verification that the system is appropriately sized for the household.
Request the maintenance records for the system. It's good to know when the last septic pumping was done, since that will give you an idea of when it will be needed again. Most systems need septic pumping every three to five years depending on the size of the tank and the number of people in the household. If it's longer than this, you may need to factor the cost of a pumping into your budget shortly after moving in.
A septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field, or leach field. Sewage from your house flows into the septic tank. There, solid waste settles to the bottom, while water, grease and oils float to the top. The remaining liquid waste, or effluent, filters out through perforated pipes and is allowed to drain into the soil.
One important thing to note when buying a home with a septic system is what condition the soil of the drain field is in. A drain field that has failed will be costly to replace, so the soil should have good drainage without standing water or any odors that would show it's in a failure mode.
Proper maintenance is key to avoiding issues with your septic system. Extra care should be taken, beyond regular septic pumping, about what is being flushed or sent down the drains. Do not flush anything that is non-biodegradable, large amounts of toilet paper, and harsh chemicals that could upset the natural bacteria in the tank that breaks down the waste. Use only septic-friendly products, and if you do laundry or wash dishes, space out high volumes of water usage so as not to overload the system.
Another vital part of septic tank maintenance involves periodic septic sewer cleaning. This refers to the process through which buildup and blockages are cleared from the lines that lead to the septic tank in order to prevent back-up or failure of the system. If there is clogging of the pipes in your system, waste could back up into your house or even lead to overflows into your yard.
Besides routine maintenance to the septic tank itself, maintenance must also be carried out on the drain field. Never park vehicles or place heavy equipment on the drain field, as it can compact the soil and damage the system. Also, landscaping should be treated with care: plants or trees with deep roots should stay away from the drain field to avoid root infiltration, which could block or break pipes.
Buying a house that has a septic system requires a little more diligence and upkeep than those houses with access to a city sewer system, but with the proper care, the septic system can last decades. Just remember to have the system inspected before purchasing the home, stay on top of regular septic pumping, and don't forget routine septic sewer cleaning to avoid any nasty surprises down the line. It can be a really reliable and efficient way of managing wastewater for your new home if you're willing to put in the effort with a septic system.
