By Susan Parks, REALTOR®
Most homes in the United States are connected to a municipal sewer and water treatment systems, but 20% are not. Those properties have private waste disposal, or septic systems. If you are interested in purchasing a property with a septic system, there are a few things you should know.
How Septic Systems Work
All of the wastewater in a property – any water and solids that go down the drain – go to the septic tank. The tank varies by the size of the property, the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, depending on the rules in place when the septic system was installed. The tank is watertight and can be made of a variety of materials – concrete, plastic, or metal. It can be one or two chambers.
The liquid in the tank will travel to the distribution box to be transmitted to the drain or leach field. The liquids are absorbed into the soil, through perforated pipes and several inches of gravel. This should be downhill from the water source for the property. The solids that remain in the tank can be broken down by bacteria but also can be removed from the tank during regular tank maintenance.
Septic Inspections
When a home with a septic system is purchased, it is recommended that the system be inspected, and several loan types require a septic inspection. The inspector will examine the tank, distribution box, & leach field by introducing a large amount of water into the system, and sometimes with a camera through the pipes.
Septic Maintenance
If the system is in good working order, it’s not too hard to keep it in tip top shape. Maintaining a septic system has 3 key parts.
1. Regulate What Enters the System
Most septic inspectors will tell you that only the 3 Ps should enter your septic system (paper, pee, & poop). No sanitary products, no wipes, and absolutely no cooking grease/fats/oils should ever enter your septic tank. They could clog the pipes leading to your tank, the distribution box, and/or the leach field.
Because you need bacteria in your tank to break down the solids, you want to limit the use of bleach and other antibacterials. There are plenty of bleach alternatives that can clean without killing the bacteria in the tank, like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, & tea tree oil.
2. Regularly Pump the Tank
Depending on usage, your septic tank should be pumped every 2 to 5 years by a licensed septic specialist, who will empty the tank into their septic truck. If your tank has a riser, pumping your tank is much easier and usually cheaper. The septic specialist will also take a look at the tank to make sure it is still in good condition.
3. Maintain the Leach Field
Do not allow anyone to drive over your septic leach field! Regular mowing is fine, but large trucks can collapse the perforated pipes.
Make sure your trees and bushes are not too close to the leach field either. Grass is fine, flowers are okay, but not bushes or trees that can grow long roots that can block or damage the leach pipes.
Use Professionals
Your real estate agent may have recommendations for septic inspectors and professionals. Only use licensed professionals for inspections and maintenance to avoid damaging your septic system. Septic system failure can cause a sewage backup into your house, and no one wants that!
