A good septic system is essential for any property that doesn’t use public sewers, and making sure it is functioning correctly can save you from unnecessary costs in the future. To make sure you know what kind of condition a septic system is in when buying a home, there are certain questions you should ask.
Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning offers professional inspection services to help answer these questions before making a purchase decision. This will allow you to rest assured, knowing that an underperforming or malfunctioning septic tank won’t suddenly bog down your potential investment. If you are looking to buy a home, here’s what you should ask about the septic system. Get in touch with Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning today to find out more about our septic pumping services and get your questions answered.
1. What Type of Septic System Does It Have?
If you’re in the process of buying a house with a septic system, it is important to make sure you understand what kind of septic system is on-site. Different types of septic systems have different maintenance requirements and potential costs associated with them. Asking the right questions can help ensure you know what type of system you’ll be committing to when purchasing a property.
Traditional systems, such as a concrete septic tank, require regular septic pumping services and maintenance. In contrast, modern systems such as aerobic treatment units and floating wetland systems may need more specialized care or even replacement components from time to time. Understanding the costs and needs involved with each type of system will allow you to make an informed decision about your purchase.
Doing some research into the various types of septic systems available or talking with experts at Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning can help give you an idea of which type would best suit your needs before signing on the dotted line.
2. Where Are the Septic System Drain Field Location, Tank, and Riser?
When it comes to septic systems, knowing the exact location of the drain field and other components can help reduce costs associated with upkeep. Knowing where the tank is located can give you an idea of how much effluent is entering your tank and if any repairs may be necessary for the future. Additionally, checking to make sure there are risers in place on each individual tank or septic tank mound helps ensure that inspection and maintenance can occur easily whenever required.
Having this information upfront while purchasing a home or investing in a property can save you money down the line by eliminating the need for costly guesswork. Consulting a professional such as Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning before making a purchase will help ensure that you know exactly where all components are located before you purchase a new home.
Additionally, knowing these details ahead of time will allow you to budget for any potential issues before they become problems so you can keep your costs low over time. Getting help from a specialist like Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning can be invaluable when locating a septic system to ensure it meets your needs now and in the future.
3. How Old Is the Septic System?
When buying a home, it is important to consider the age of the septic system. The age of the septic system directly affects its condition and performance, so it is important to be aware of this factor before signing any contracts. Knowing how long the septic system has been in place and its history can help determine whether or not repairs may be necessary soon.
Septic systems will generally last between 20 and 40 years, although that number fluctuates depending on the quality, maintenance, size, location, and other factors related to the individual system. If a home’s septic system is older than 40 years, there’s a good chance that it needs to be replaced rather than repaired. This could end up being an expensive endeavor for buyers who weren’t aware prior to purchasing.
4. When Was the Last Septic Tank Inspection?
It is important to check the date of your septic inspection in order to ensure that you are aware of its age and condition. Regular inspections of your septic system can help identify potential problems before they arise, making them cheaper and easier to fix. In addition, up-to-date inspections contribute significantly to the safety of your home by preventing potential risks from developing or getting worse.
The septic system generally needs to be inspected every three years – however, certain conditions require more frequent examinations. These include large families or high water usage households, houses with poor drainage or compacted soil around the tank, homes located close to bodies of water (which can cause groundwater infiltration), or areas prone to extreme weather conditions like floods and hurricanes. All these circumstances put extra stress on a septic tank that can lead to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs if not monitored closely enough. It’s one of the many reasons why having a septic tank inspected before purchasing a home is important.
You should also request soil percolation tests before purchasing homes with septic tanks. This test measures the soil quality and how quickly the soil filters effluent. Slower percolation rates in a home with a septic tank require a large drain field than one with faster rates. A company with a license or certification, such as a septic contractor, should perform the test.
The Benefits of Visual Inspections
A septic inspection is an important part of maintaining the overall health of your home’s septic tank. Through this process, inspectors can detect structural problems, issues with components, and signs of damage that could lead to costly repairs or replacements.
A septic tank that is regularly inspected often last longer and can help avoid costly surprises down the road. Problems such as clogging, cracks or leaks, and faulty seals can be identified in a visual inspection before they worsen or cause other issues. Additionally, regular inspections can also identify when it’s time for maintenance or even installation of new parts such as valves and pumps.
A visual inspection is also much faster than a more thorough inspection since it simply involves checking the condition of visible components in your septic tank. This means that you don’t have to wait long periods of time to get results from an inspector, which helps keep your system running efficiently without interruption.
5. When Was the Pump Last Inspected?
Regularly inspecting your septic system’s pump is essential to ensuring it continues to work properly. Without proper maintenance and inspection, you could be at risk of ending up with a broken system, which can be extremely costly. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are aware of when the last time your pump last had a septic inspection.
A septic inspection for a pump should happen at least once a year in order to make sure that they are functioning correctly and to identify any potential issues before they become more serious. This helps keep repair costs low as well as reduce the amount of time needed for repairs when an issue does arise.
When inspecting a pump, it is important for an experienced professional like Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning to check for any signs of damage or wear and tear and also assess its overall working condition. We must also make sure that all electrical connections remain secure and determine if there is any blockage in the intake line or hose that could cause problems down the line.
Additionally, all hoses should be checked so there is no risk of leaks or residue coming into contact with groundwater. Both of these can potentially lead to contamination of nearby sources such as rivers, streams, or drinking water supplies, so this should not be overlooked!
If the septic pump hasn’t been inspected in a long time, it’s important to call us before purchasing homes with septic systems. It could save you from unnecessary repairs down the line and ensure that your septic system runs smoothly without any issues creeping up in the future. Taking proactive measures like this is never a bad idea when it comes to preserving your home’s plumbing system!
6. Did the Septic System Pass or Fail Its Last Inspection?
Knowing whether a septic tank has passed or failed its inspection is extremely important when maintaining your home’s plumbing system. An up-to-date inspection helps to identify potential problems that could lead to costly repairs in the future, as well as ensuring any issues which have already arisen are dealt with appropriately.
Oftentimes, a failed septic tank inspection can be attributed to something small and easily fixed – such as a clogged pipe or worn pump. If discovered early enough, these issues can be addressed relatively quickly without needing more extensive repairs later on. It is also advantageous for identifying risks of contamination from sources such as fertilizer runoff or wastewater contamination which can significantly decrease the value of a home if not taken care of properly.
In addition to being beneficial for diagnosing existing issues with your septic tank, successfully passing an inspection also provides peace of mind knowing that you and your will be safe from potential health hazards.
Overall, it is important to know the condition of your septic tank to ensure it will function efficiently and safely after you buy the house with a septic tank. Remember to continue scheduling frequent inspections with us after you purchase the house with a septic tank to help identify any problems or risks before they develop into more serious – and expensive – concerns down the line.
7. If I Decide to Expand My Home in a Few Years, How Will the Expansion Affect the Current Septic System?
For potential homeowners who may want to expand their house with a septic tank in the future, it’s important to consider the impact it could have on an existing septic tank. Depending on the scale and scope of the construction project, additional strain may be placed on the existing tank, which could result in costly repairs or even necessitate a full replacement.
Generally speaking, minor modifications like adding small rooms or extending bathrooms should not pose too much of a problem for an existing system. However, if you are looking to make more extensive changes, such as increasing the size of your home by several hundred square feet, then this will likely require some adjustments being made to your septic tank.
It is important to consider how your home’s plumbing system will be affected by any expansion projects you plan on undertaking. Consulting with a professional plumber can help identify potential issues with septic tanks and septic systems and suggest the best way forward for managing them.
Before embarking on any expansion project, contact Biros Septic and Drain Cleaning, Inc. to inspect your system and assess its current condition. They will also be able to advise whether your current capacity is sufficient for what you intend to do and suggest any necessary alterations that need to be made in order for your plumbing system to handle the extra load.
Considering all factors before deciding on a house with a septic tank that will need expanding or additions is essential if you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the line. Paying careful attention to how these changes will affect your septic system can help save time and money in the long run!
8. Does the Home Have a Garbage Disposal?
Many people are unaware of the impact their garbage disposal can have on their septic tank system. In truth, garbage disposals put extra strain on your plumbing and can cause long-term damage to septic tanks if not properly managed.
The main issue is that while grinding up food scraps in disposal may make them easier to flush away, they still require additional processing by the helpful bacteria in the septic system before they are fully broken down. This means that too much food going into the tank can overwhelm the natural filtration process, leading to clogs and backups.
While purchasing a home with a disposal isn’t enough for you to reject the home, you should learn more about proper use of a garbage disposal. You want to ensure that you don’t do something seemingly innocent that will cause issues with your septic system in the future. Additionally, septic tanks should be measured to see if they can handle the waste from a disposal during a septic system inspection.
9. When Was the Septic Tank Last Pumped?
A septic tank is an essential part of a septic system, but it must be maintained regularly in order to ensure they remain functional. One of the most important maintenance tasks is having your septic tank pumped.
Septic pumping services involve using a vacuum truck to empty out the solid waste and sludge from inside the tank. This process helps to reduce the risk of clogs or backups and can even help increase the life span of your septic system. Regular septic pumping services also ensure that proper bacteria colonies are present in your septic tanks, which are necessary for breaking down solid waste.
Be If it’s been more than three years since having the septic tank pumped, it’s going to need serviced soon. You should consider this fact before you purchase a home with a septic system.
To Get Septic Pumping Service or a Septic Inspection, Contact Us!
Biros Septic & Drain Cleaning specializes in providing a septic inspection before purchasing a home with a septic tank. We can also help with maintenance services for a house with a septic tank. Our clients can enjoy worry-free peace of mind knowing their waste is secure and properly managed without any potential issues. Contact us today if you would like more information about installing, inspecting, or maintaining a septic tank before purchasing a home with one.
References:
https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Home_Buyers_Septic_Test_Guide.php
https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/buying-a-house-with-a-septic-tank
https://www.allstate.com/resources/home-insurance/buy-home-septic-system