There are many great reasons to buy a house with a septic tank. With a septic tank, you don’t need to pay for sewer charges, and you may even save on property taxes. When properly maintained, a septic tank is environmentally friendly and can last 40 years or more.
Nevertheless, before jumping into buying a house with a current septic tank, it is important to have your septic tank expert carry out an inspection. A comprehensive septic inspection can reveal any septic system problems and help you determine the repairs and necessary costs involved.
Let’s dive into some of the most important questions to ask before buying a house with septic tank.
Does the House Use a Traditional or an Advanced Septic System?
There are pros and cons to both a traditional conventional septic system and an advanced septic system.
Most old houses have a traditional septic system. Traditional conventional systems use biological and physical processes to treat wastewater in the septic tank and the drain field. They are low maintenance and low cost to operate. However, they produce a lower quality effluent than the more advanced systems and they require a drain field with a specific type of soil.
Advanced septic systems use advanced technologies in addition to biological and physical processes to treat wastewater. They are much more effective than the traditional septic tank, they can handle higher volumes of wastewater, and require less space.
However, they require more maintenance than their traditional counterparts. It is important to regularly have your advanced septic system pumped to avoid air bubbles and damage. Fortunately, you can rely on L.J. Construction for your Sonoma County septic pumping needs.
When Was the Septic Tank Installed?
An old home with an old septic tank is not necessarily a bad buy. When appropriately maintained, a septic tank can last decades. So don’t walk away from the deal just because the house has an older system. Before making a decision, have your contractor conduct a comprehensive inspection to check if the system is in serviceable condition.
How Well Has the Septic System Been Maintained?
Septic tanks need to be emptied at regular intervals, or they can overflow. Before buying an old house with a septic tank, you will want to know how frequently it has been emptied. Ask for a maintenance log to check if the current homeowner has been diligent in the performance of maintenance.
Are There Trees Growing Nearby?
Trees growing near a septic tank are a recipe for disaster. Their roots can penetrate the tank through cracks and cause extensive damage to the system. Homebuyers are therefore recommended to have their contractor assess risks posed by such trees and address them by taking appropriate measures.
L.J. Construction is a renowned septic tank contractor in Sonoma County. Our septic tank technicians have years of experience servicing and installing different types of septic tanks. To learn more, call (707) 823-0247.