Are Regular Septic System Inspections Necessary?

 
We’ve said it on this blog before and we’ll say it again – septic system inspections are necessary and essential to the life and function of your septic tank and system. We recommend you get a septic system inspection and septic tank service every 3-5 years.

However, we know that most homeowners rarely get their septic systems inspected unless there is an obvious issue. Unfortunately, this means property owners are often setting themselves up
for big problems, such as slow drainage, toilets backing up or even septic system leakage. Regular inspections cut down on these risks.

Another thing to think about is the resale value of your home. Most realtors acknowledge that buyers can be leery of a septic system because often they aren’t maintained well (as we mentioned earlier), so an owner who has done due diligence is truly valuable in the home-buying marketplace. Plus, during the escrow period, a certified septic tank and system inspection may be required and can create sizable delay and expense if anything problematic arises.

Remember that you need a septic inspector, not just your home inspector, for this job. You can also, ask your local health department to see if they perform inspections – in some states, they do. State regulations vary on whether the seller or buyer is responsible for this due diligence – check with your realtor about the regulations and standard practices in your area.

However, remember that in all states of the U.S., home sellers are required to disclose any known problems with a home to the buyers of the property. This means that the sellers are financially liable for any problems that might arise even after the sale if they had knowledge of those problems and failed to disclose them.

Unfortunately, this often happens with septic systems, because it truly impacts the quality and livability of the real estate but is largely unseen. If sellers aren’t honest and buyers don’t insist on a high-quality inspection, problems can be costly for everyone involved. Our suggestion: avoid all of this hassle by keeping up with regular septic tank pumping, septic system inspections and best practices (avoiding harsh chemicals, not overloading the system, etc.)

If you’re considering buying or selling a home with a septic system, please call us for help with your septic inspection. If you already own a home with a septic system, give us a call at (260)-982-7111 and we can get you on a regular schedule of septic maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.