If you are buying a house in an area that is not served by municipal septic tank services, consider buying one that has a septic tank. Standalone septic tanks will dispose of and treat your household's wastewater. It is expensive to put in a brand-new septic tank system. If you are shopping for a house with a septic tank system, here are three vital questions to ask.
Where is the Septic Tank?
Ask about the location of the tank. When you buy the property, you will need to maintain the septic tank. You need to know its location. The seller should show you where the inspection covers are along with the septic tank filters. Septic tank filters require replacement every couple of years.
If you plan to expand the house at a later date, the location of the septic tank will determine the direction in which you develop. Find out where the drain field is and its condition. Ask the seller whether the property has enough space for a secondary drain field. Drain fields have a 20-year life span. If the property is older, you will likely need a secondary drain field.
What is the Septic Tank's Repair and Service History?
Ask about the maintenance and repair of the septic tank. The seller should be able to tell about the tanks pumping history. Regular pumping means the tank and the drain field are in good condition. He or she should have a record of the filter changes.
Ask the seller about the inspection history of the septic tank. They should give you reports from the inspectors. If the seller does not have inspection records, do your inspection before you commit. A well-maintained septic tank will serve you and your family for a long time.
How Old is the septic tank?
A septic tank and drain field do not get better as they age. A 25-year-old septic tank is old. The seller should tell you about the age of the septic tank so that you can plan for future costs. Ask about the last family that lived in the house and how many they were. You can ask about the length of time the house was vacant. It will help you calculate how much time the tank has left before you need to replace it.
Conclusion
A new house is a significant investment. Septic tanks can break or make a property. Make sure you gather all the necessary information before signing a contract to buy the house.
If you have recently moved to a property which uses a septic tank, you may be finding the transition from mains sewerage difficult. There are so many things you need to know when using a septic tank. How often does the tank need to be cleaned? How do I stop the tank from becoming blocked? How can I best maintain the septic tank? This blog aims to answer some of these questions. I'm no expert but I have been using a septic tank for the past 4 years. During that time, I have learnt lots of cool things about the equipment.