If you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may wonder if you should schedule a septic inspection. Since septic systems are underground, it’s easy to forget about them unless an issue arises. However, buyers and lenders often want a septic inspection to ensure that the system functions correctly before the sale of your house is finalized.
What are Septic Systems?
Around 20% of homes in the country contain a septic system. This system has a holding tank and a drain field. In the tank, organic matter is digested and broken down by bacteria. The system also separates out solids and floatable matter, such as oils, which remain in the tank. All the water and waste that comes from sinks, washer machines, showers, and toilets will be filtered via the septic system, after which the treated water disperses into the ground. When properly working, this system will prevent soil and water pollution.
When to Get a Septic Inspection
You should have your septic system inspected every two to five years. You might also want to have the septic tank pumped at this time, which ensures that the tank remains healthy and effective at filtering waste. If you wait longer than five years between inspections, it’s more likely that something will go wrong.
Having an inspection will allow you to avoid unexpected surprises when you’re listing your home on the market. In addition, if you have an extended timeframe for selling your home, it may be a good idea to have an inspection done sooner than later. A professional will be able to fix a minor problem that could become a significant issue by the time you are finalizing the sale.
Selling a Home with a Septic System
While obtaining a septic system inspection before selling your home is recommended, some counties require it. A septic inspection gives you the opportunity to identify any issues that the buyer might have a problem with. Fixing these issues before you list your home should help you get the most for your property.
If you already know of existing problems with your septic system, you are legally required to disclose them to the buyer. Otherwise, the buyer may be able to take legal action. When you receive an inspection and find that your system is not working correctly, the responsibility of making the necessary repairs usually remains with the buyer. However, the cost of who pays for these repairs may be negotiated during the transaction.
Types of Septic Inspections
There are two basic types of septic inspections that septic system technicians can perform: a visual inspection and a full inspection.
Visual Inspection
In most cases, when selling your home, the inspector performs a visual inspection that gives the buyer a better idea of the system’s condition. During a visual inspection, you may be asked how old your home is, when you received your last septic systems assessment, and how often you pump the system.
The home inspector will then run every tap in the home and flush all the toilets. This process determines how well waste water drains from your house. Inspectors also go to the nearby drain field to ensure standing water isn’t present. While visual inspections are beneficial, full inspections may be necessary to identify how healthy the septic system currently is.
Full Inspection
Full inspections include every step that takes place during a visual inspection. However, it goes even further. During a full inspection, the inspector will remove the septic tank cover to identify the existing water level. The water’s level tells the inspector if the water is draining correctly.
While the septic tank is open, the inspector will turn on the water in your house to ensure it properly reaches your septic tank. During this process, they make sure that the water level doesn’t rise when additional water is introduced.
It’s likely that a dye test will be administered as well, which will help the inspector identify how quickly water is draining from your house to the tank. In addition, during a full inspection, the tank will be emptied so the inspector can determine if there is any backflow from the drain field.
At Salina Septic Service, we have been serving the residents of Salina, KS for years. We install, maintain, and repair septic systems. In addition, we rent out portable restrooms and roll-off dumpsters. Contact Salina Septic Service today to learn more about how our septic services can benefit your home.
