The to-do list when selling your house can get long. Decluttering and deep cleaning rooms to get the inside ready are usually on the list.
There are some to-dos for the outside of your home also. Having your septic tank pumped and inspected should be on this list.
All properties in King County, Pierce County, and Thurston County with a septic system must have an O&M inspection done before the property is sold.
Yes, the septic tank must be pumped so a proper inspection can be done before a house is sold.
Have The Septic Tank Pumped Before An Inspection
For an inspection of a septic tank to be done correctly, it must be pumped out. All of the water and sludge must be removed for technicians to see the bottom of the septic tank and all of the parts.
Pumping out the septic tank completely allows the technician to check all of the parts for any damage.
Septic tanks have inlet pipes and outlet pipes. The inlet pipe comes from the house, bringing the water and waste into the septic tank. The outlet pipe distributes wastewater into the drain field for more treatment.
Septic tanks can have baffles or sanitary tees around the inlet and outlet pipes. The inlet baffle directs wastewater flow downward into the tank without mixing into the scum layer at the top of the tank. The scum layer can clog the inlet pipe.
The outlet baffle extends into the middle of the septic tank. There could also be an effluent screen or filter on the outlet pipe. All of these parts stop solid waste from going out of the septic tank into the drain field.
Any cracks in the tank mean wastewater can be leaking out of the system and into the groundwater without being treated.
Regular Septic Tank Maintenance Is Important
Maintaining your septic tank means you will not be surprised by damage and big repair bills when you go to list your home on the market.
All of the water leaving your house from the sinks, showers, toilets, and washing machine flows into the septic tank. Inside the tank, the water and waste are separated into three layers.
Soap and grease float to the top of the septic tank creating a scum layer. The sludge layer is solid waste that drops to the bottom of the tank.
What is left is the liquid effluent layer in the middle. As more waste comes in from the house, the liquid rises, and some liquid is forced through the outlet pipe into the drain field. In the drain field, the liquid is filtered through dirt or gravel.
Bacteria in the sludge layer start to decompose the waste. If the sludge layer gets too high, waste gets out of the tank and into the drain field, causing problems.
Pumping your septic tank every three to five years keeps the sludge layer from getting too high. If your house has a garbage disposal in the sink, it will probably need to be pumped more often. Good septic system maintenance is important.
What If There Is A Problem?
When you are having the septic tank pumped and inspected before you sell your house, the technician might notice something right away.
Before they start pumping out the septic tank, the technician will check the water level. A water level that is too high or too low means there could be a problem.
If the water level is too high, there could be a clog somewhere stopping the effluent from leaving the septic tank.
If the water level is too low, the septic tank could be cracked.
After the septic tank is pumped and the technician looks at all of the parts, they will let you know if there is any damage or clogs that need to be fixed.
All Septic & Sewer can handle any repairs that need to be done to your septic system.
Have Your Septic Tank Pumped And Inspected To Sell Your House
Many homes in Washington State have septic tanks to handle waste removal. How well the septic system functions affects the health of the people and the environment.
It is required to have the septic tank inspected when a house goes on the market, and a Report of System Status (RSS) must be filed as well.
All Septic & Sewer can pump and inspect your septic system. We will also file the RSS for you. Contact us today for all of your septic system needs.
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