When you’re in the process of buying a home, the number of necessary tasks can seem overwhelming. Given the long list of items on your to-do list, you might consider opting out of non-mandatory options like septic system inspections.
This decision, however, could become a costly mistake in the long run. If you’re thinking about buying a home with a septic tank, it’s crucial to have an experienced company like All Septic & Sewer look things over for you.
Why Should You Have Your Septic System Inspected Before Buying A Home?
To keep a septic system working smoothly, it requires regular, routine maintenance, and inspections. If a homeowner is lax on checkups, the tank system will not work correctly.
When you purchase a home with a septic tank, undergoing an inspection will give you an idea as to how your system has been maintained. Choosing to forfeit your right to a septic system review, however, could leave you responsible for time-consuming and expensive repairs.
Poorly maintained septic systems could be full, contain blockages, or be lacking in the necessary chemicals for proper functions. A damaged tank could leak into your yard resulting in a destroyed lawn and possible health hazards. Repairing problems like these can cost thousands of dollars and often requires digging large holes into your yard.
What’s Involved In A Septic System Inspection?
While most septic tanks only need to be pumped every 3-5 years, that doesn’t mean you should avoid other routine maintenance and inspections.
Before you consider buying a home with a septic tank, you should find out when it was last pumped. You should also have an inspection done to check for potential problems. Generally, a septic tank inspection involves three different steps, including:
- Consultation: During your initial consultation, the inspector will ask questions about the septic system’s maintenance history. They will also ask for information about any current problems the home might be experiencing. Having baseline information about the septic tank’s condition will give them an idea of what they should be looking for.
- Visual Inspection: During the visual overview, the inspector will use tools like mirrors and cameras to look over the entire system, including the tank and filtration structures. They will also run tests where they flush toilets and allow sinks to run for several minutes. These provide insight as to whether there are any leaks to be concerned with.
- Drain field Test: After the visual test has been completed, the septic system inspector will dig several small holes in the ground throughout the drain field. If any of these holes are holding standing water, it’s a good indication that there’s a problem to be dealt with.
Learn More About Hiring a Septic System Inspector Before Buying A Home
Purchasing a new house is an exciting moment in most people’s lives. Don’t let a damaged septic system spoil the memory! Hiring an experienced company like All Septic & Sewer to perform a thorough inspection before closing is crucial.
After all, why ignore a possible problem and end up paying for it in the long run? Before you go through with buying a home in Washington, contact our septic system inspectors for more information on what we can do for you.