Septic Inspections

When buying a rural home on a septic system you want to be sure its in working order and that you will not get stuck replacing it shortly after moving in. An inspection includes accessing and opening  the tank lids to conduct a visual inspection of the septic tank to ensure baffles, separating wall, filter and any pumps, floats or controls are functioning properly. We then dig at least 3 test holes in the septic drainage area to look for any biomat, standing water, roots or anything else that could cause failure of the system in the near or far future. We will also identify any surroundings that may hinder the life of the septic system such as near by trees or shrubs. After inspection is complete you will be given a written, detailed report on site.

A septic inspection is always a good idea when purchasing a rural home whether it is brand new or 100 years old. Houses are expensive to begin with and you don't want to be stuck forking out thousands of dollars more shortly after moving in because you didn't get an inspection and now the toilets won't flush or the backyard  is a swamp. A septic inspection will give you a good idea of what kind of shape the system is in , and what (if any)  repairs need to be  or should be done in the near future.  If the tank or drainage area is  determined to be unacceptable you can use the "septic inspection report" to bargain with the seller or cancel the deal altogether. Many banks also require a septic inspection in order to approve financing for your new purchase for the same reason. They don't want you moving in and going broke immediately  because you need to replace your septic system. A septic inspection will also give you a better understanding of what kind of system you have and if there is any yearly maintenance or servicing that is required by law in some cases.