Four Tips When Buying a House with a Septic System

October 17, 2019 Published by Leave your thoughts

If this is your first time buying a home with a septic system, it is likely you are feverishly seeking septic system tips in Cleveland, TX. However, while these systems are mostly self-sustaining and easy to maintain, you still have to thoroughly investigate a home’s septic system before you buy. Otherwise, you could end up inheriting someone’s very expensive (and stinky) problem. Here are four tips to follow any time you are considering purchasing a home with a septic system:

  • Get the basic facts: Ask questions about the system, and press for clarity if answers are hesitant or non-existent. You need to know the age of the system, when it was last maintained and if there were any periods where the home was abandoned or unoccupied. If the home had any period of non-use, the septic system could be falling behind on treating waste. Also, very old septic systems could be ready for replacement. If these questions reveal doubt about the sustainability of the system, consider making replacement a requirement for your purchase.
  • Perform a visual inspection: Even if the current owner is forthcoming, you still need to take a good look at the system. Walk around where the tank is located and see if you can detect odors. Check to see if vegetation is much more lush in one area. If that is the case, there is a chance the tank is leaking, and that will only get worse in time. You also want to check for rocky areas or signs of evacuation, in case there is a recent repair being hidden. Also, see how far away the system is located from other water sources like streams or ponds. Polluting these areas could lead to fines, so you want to assess this risk.
  • Run tests: There are many tests available for septic systems, including the dye test and the flooding test. The dye test runs dyed water through the system to see if it travels from one end to the other without incident. If it fails to appear in the tank, there is likely a blockage preventing full functioning of your system. A flooding test is designed to create conditions that could lead to failure. Most home systems should be able to handle five gallons of waste or water a minute, but if the flooding test reveals this is impossible, consider buying another home.
  • Arrange an inspection: Even if a septic system passes all these steps, it is a good idea to hire a professional to take a closer look. They have better resources to test systems and determine when they last received service. At the very least, they will help you set up a maintenance schedule so you know exactly what you are getting into if you buy this home. Also, if the system requires maintenance, you can have the homeowner finance that before you make an offer. This gives you one less issue to deal with if you decide to move forward with the purchase.

All Pro Septic can provide additional septic system tips in Cleveland, TX, as well as the services you need for your system. Contact us today for assistance with inspecting or maintaining a septic system.

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