Your Home Buyer’s Guide to Septic Systems

If you're planning to purchase a new home, chances are you've given some thought as to what kind of plumbing and drainage system your home will have. If the home you purchase has an on-site septic system, that means that all of the waste products from your sink, your showers, your toilets, and other drains will be draining into a septic tank. A septic tank is designed to retain all solids and allow the flow of fluids into a drain field. A septic system that has been properly installed and designed is incredibly sanitary and quite efficient. In the United States today, more homes have septic systems than any other type of waste disposal system.

If you are planning to buy a home and you know that your home of choice has a septic tank and a drain field, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that the home you’re purchasing has an adequate and sanitary septic system. Read on for a little education in the home-buyers guide to septic systems.

First of all, ask your realtor or the current homeowner about the septic system itself. You should know where it is, every component that has been installed, if there have been any problems in the past, and if the system has been recently inspected and pumped. You should also make your own assessment and visual inspection of the sight. Look around and make sure that you see no signs of impending septic trouble. If possible you should perform the septic tank guide test. Most home inspectors will know how to perform this test, but many do not unless made by special request. If you get any negative feedback for the first three-steps, you should immediately consider pumping the septic tank. If you have a sneaking suspicion that there's a problem with your new or future home’s septic system, you may require a physical investigation. It's also a good idea to educate yourself on septic system care and learn about the components of the septic system through outside resources. And, as a side note, it's probably a good idea to ensure that your neighbors have not had septic problems. Often times, neighborhoods are constructed by a single source. As a result of this, problems at any of the neighbor’s homes can mean future problems at your home.

It’s a good idea that you do everything in your power to ensure that your septic system is adequate. If you have elected to purchase a home, your first step should be to install a laundry lint filter for your washing machine. While this may seem like a small step, it is imperative for ensuring that the solid waste in your septic system can be processed properly.