subject: Inspect The Septic Tank Before Purchasing A House [print this page] There are several reasons why potential home buyers should ask for a septic system inspection before they negotiate the price of the house. However, in most of the states, the law requires that you have one done before the property changes hands.
At initial stage, you may think it is an unnecessary expense but actually it is not. No doubt it will add to the purchase price of the house but it is quite essential. In inspection of the septic system you just need to spend a couple of hundred dollars but it will tell you about the status of septic tank and you might save huge amount of money that would be otherwise spend in repairing of septic tank.
Nobody wants to buy a house and spend $10,000 or $20,000 for getting the septic tank repaired in just a week or two. However, over time a drain field can become clogged and you might not even notice it.
The clogging could also reach up to a point where it becomes impossible to repair it and the effluent might start leaking into the surrounding soil and ground water. This will make the surrounding area polluted and spreads bacteria in it.
This laws help in protecting the environment and money of homeowners. It also make the homeowners aware about the septic tank as many of the homeowners don't know how old their septic system is or the time when it was last inspected. This law is also beneficial for those who do not even bother ask about the septic tank while purchasing a house.
It's also terribly vital that you hire someone who is licensed and certified to perform your inspection. They should really do it, not just sign off on the forms. A proper inspection will include everything from the pipes in your house to the septic tank and out into the drain field.
Along with pipes he should also check if the the lines are clear or not and also the level of sludge and scum in the tank.
In short, whenever you plan to buy a new home, keep in mind that it is better to spend a few hundred dollars than tens of thousands of dollars after signing the contract. Once you sign the contract, you will have all the problems of septic tank along with the house.
