If you haven’t lived on a property with a septic system, you might be surprised to learn that there are steps that need to be taken to maintain it. When a home is hooked up to city sewer, the city maintains the sewer lines up to the point where the line enters your property. When your home has a septic system, the homeowner is completely responsible for all repairs and maintenance .
A septic inspection is often a home maintenance task that gets pushed aside or forgotten about. Because septic systems exist underground in the backyard, they are often out of sight, out of mind. But letting it go too many flushes without an inspection can result in some major problems if the system fails. Keeping your septic system in good condition will save you thousands of dollars in repairs if anything does go wrong.
How often should you get a septic inspection?
Septic systems should be inspected every three years. But if we’re being honest – most homeowners never get their septic systems inspected unless there is a notable issue, such as toilets backing up or slow drains. The benefit of doing an inspection every three years is to avoid major problems like these.
When considering a home purchase, ask your realtor to include a septic tank inspection in the buy/sell agreement. Without an inspection, you may be faced with costly bills due to a faulty or neglected septic system.
How often should a septic tank be pumped?
Septic tanks should be pumped regularly as standard care for your septic system. Regular cleanings keep solids from going into drain fields and clogging the lines that disperse the liquids from the house. Regular pumping can add years of life to your existing drain field. Most systems should be pumped out every three to five years. If the household has heavy use it may be smart to consider every two years.
Most systems have one 1000 gal tank but some areas have a 1500 gal tank or multiple tanks. If you have questions on what kind of set-up you have, information may be available at your local county health department. The cost for septic tank pumping varies. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Is the home or buyer responsible to get an inspection?
The person who is responsible for carrying out septic inspections varies based on your location. In most states, it’s the buyers’ responsibility to handle inspections during their option period – part of their due diligence – unless otherwise agreed upon. Ask your local real estate professional about your obligation regarding septic system inspections.
Don’t forget about disclosure.
In all states, sellers are required to disclose any known problems with a home to potential buyers. If there’s a septic issue after closing that the sellers knew about, they will be liable for the entire cost of the repairs. For that reason, it’s a good practice for all homeowners to perform routine septic inspections. That way, the seller is protected from any future septic issues after closing.
Do you need a septic inspection or your septic tank pumped?
If you have questions regarding septic system maintenance or need a quote for services, you can call us as (517) 764-7888 or fill out our contact form.