Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will make, so you want to avoid any surprises after you purchase the home. Just like your furnace, the septic system is expensive to repair or replace so you want it to be in good condition when you buy the home. Have the system inspected by a septic system service provider before you purchase a home. Inspections may be required by your local or state government or by your mortgage lender. Inspection results can help you decide if the home is right for you.

What should happen during a septic system inspection?

The inspector will check for the following:

• Pumping and maintenance records;
• The age of the septic system;
• Sludge levels and scum thickness in the tank;
• Signs of leakage, such as low water levels in the tank;
• Signs of backup, such as staining in the tank above the outlet pipe;
• Integrity of the tank, inlet, and outlet pipes;
• The drainfield, for signs of system failure like standing water;
• The distribution box, to make sure drain lines are receiving equal flow; and
• Available records, to ensure the system complies with local regulations regarding function and location.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: EPA.gov

The national average cost for a septic tank installation is $6,000, according to home improvement network and information site Angi, and odds are, you’ll spend somewhere between $5,000 to $12,000.

Depending on the size and location of your home, as well as the size and material of your tank and your preferred type of septic system, you may find yourself paying even more. HomeAdvisor reports that aerobic septic systems, which use oxygen-loving bacteria to break down waste and require an air pump and more than one tank, can cost up to $20,000 to install.

Septic Tank Prices by Type

A septic tank can be made of four types of material:

• Concrete. This is the most common septic tank material and can last decades, which would make getting one a no-brainer, but it is prone to cracking. Concrete septic tanks prices range from $700 to $2,000, according to Angi.
• Plastic. This is a less expensive material, but plastic is lightweight, and that can lead to structural damage. Plastic septic tank prices range from $500 to $2,500.
• Fiberglass. While unlikely to crack or rust, fiberglass is a lightweight material that can be susceptible to structural damage during installation or if the tanks shift in the soil from the original position. Fiberglass septic tank prices range from $1,200 to $2,000.
• Steel. Steel can rust and the cover may corrode over time, which becomes a safety hazard in your yard. Steel is the least popular material used today; manufacturers and installers generally won’t even touch them. You may have a steel septic tank buried in your yard, but it's unlikely you will be able to purchase one.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

With proper maintenance, a septic system can last as long as 40 years, and some concrete septic tanks may last 100 years. But for that to happen, you can't ignore your septic tank.

The EPA estimates you’ll spend between $250 and $500 to service your septic tank every three years. The EPA suggests that repairing or replacing your septic tank (which is more likely to happen if you don't service it) could cost between $5,000 and $15,000.

Sometimes repairs are needed because the homeowner has been careless.

The most common reason homeowners have their septic tank backup is due to flushing items like wet wipes and feminine products. While some shrug off not flushing those items, it really is a rule that should be followed to a T.

Some wet wipe manufacturers market them as flushable and safe for septic tanks and septic systems, but it’s probably safest to be skeptical about these claims.

You will occasionally need your septic tank pumped, in addition to other maintenance, and the frequency depends on the size of your house. Some experts recommend that a home septic be pumped every three to five years. The cost of septic tank pumping is $550 on average, but it can cost between $175 and $1,600 or more depending on how large your tank is and your geographic location.

If you notice issues with your plumbing or experience water backing up into the home, call a plumber to diagnose the issue. It may be a clogged pipe, but it could also indicate a problem with your drain field, a cracked or damaged septic tank, excess water in the tank or items and chemicals in your septic tank that should not have gone down the drain.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

Before you contact a septic system installer, you'll need to check with your local governing body, such as the city or county, to see what is required to obtain a permit for the installation.

In many places, the local planning board or board of health will have a list of licensed engineers to choose from to design a septic system. The engineer's plans – which take into account the water table, underground water lines, wells and required setbacks from neighbors' property lines – will then go before the local governing board for approval.

Once any plans are approved, you can take the plans to different septic installers for pricing and guidance.

The total cost of your septic system installation varies based on your house, the size of your property, nearest flood plain, soil, preferred tank material and myriad other details. To find out the true cost of your installation, you’ll need to get an estimate. A septic installation professional will likely want to visit your property, take measurements and examine any issues if you’re looking to replace any part of your current septic system.

Reach out to multiple local septic installation or replacement companies to get a few estimates based on the details of your home. While multiple professional visits for estimates may seem like a lot, the knowledge you gain from each conversation can help you decide which company offers the best materials and timeline for you – not just which company offers the lowest price.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

The amount of time it takes to install a septic tank varies based on the weather, type of soil and other factors. Heavy rains saturating the soil will delay an installation, and rocky ground can also slow the process.

Where you install that septic tank really matters, and if you’re buying a home with a septic tank, you’ll want to do your homework to make sure it’s not going to create issues for you later.

Location is hugely important. A lot of buyers don't realize how much the surrounding soil composition and drainage can impact things. That's why it is recommended to potential buyers that they schedule a soil percolation test during their inspection period.

A soil percolation test will provide crucial information about whether the soil can adequately support a septic system, or if expensive upgrades like adding additional drain field lines or a sand filter may be necessary.

These types of fixes can cost tens of thousands and are definitely something buyers need to find out about before officially purchasing.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

First of all, nobody should be scared of buying a house with a septic tank. One out of every five homes has a septic tank, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But you do want to learn about them before you buy a house with a septic tank, and one good way to do that is to have yours inspected. You may have to separate this from your actual home inspection.

A septic inspection is not typically included in an overall house inspection.

Reach out to a septic tank cleaning company and scheduling an inspection before buying the house. You also will want the septic field inspected.

Septic field? Yes, there are septic tanks and septic fields. Both should be considered. Septic fields are the area where the waste drains to. This usually occurs on large properties. Over time, septic fields may become less efficient or too saturated, thereby requiring a second field to be approved by the local town.

While you’re at it, take a look at your trees and where they are in relation to your septic tank. Tree roots can damage a septic tank.

Even if the tree is not directly above the septic tank, they’re attracted to moisture and the waste nutrients.

For more information on septic system inspections, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

If you are replacing or installing a septic system, you’ll need to know how big your septic tank should be, which is based on the size of your house. It often breaks down in this way:

A 500-gallon tank generally is for a one-bedroom house.
A 750-gallon tank tends to be perfect for a home with two bedrooms.
1,000-gallon septic tanks are advised for a home with three or four bedrooms.
1,200-gallon septic tanks are needed for a house with five or six bedrooms.

For a septic tank under 1,000 gallons, the tank itself will likely cost between $500 and $1,200, according to HomeAdvisor, while a tank that's 1,000 gallons is more likely to cost $900 to $1,500. A septic tank that is 1,200 gallons will likely run you as much as $1,600.

You really need to research what you’re buying.

There are so many factors that go into septic systems. One thing that should always be stressed is that not all septic systems are created equal. Some are very straightforward gravity flow systems that are inexpensive to operate for years to come. However, other properties may require more complex pumped systems that involve electric pumps and higher maintenance costs long term. It's so important for buyers to understand exactly what type of septic they're dealing with early on.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

To start, let's look at conventional vs. alternative septic systems.

Standard Septic Systems

In a conventional septic system, gravity carries wastewater from the house into the septic tank and then to the drainfield. Water pools in the tank long enough for ingredients to separate.

The greases and oils that rise to the top as scum and the solids that sink to the bottom as sludge both get removed by a septic pumping company every few years and carted to an approved disposal site. The actual frequency of pumping depends on the tank size and household usage.

The relatively clear water in the middle flows out to the drainfield. This area must be kept free of trees and shrubs so their roots don’t damage it. The drainfield consists of perforated pipes or drain tiles buried in trenches or set on a gravel bed one to three feet below the surface (though some estimates suggest two to four feet, so check your local regulations). As water trickles out of the pipes, the soil and its microbes act as natural filters to clean the water.

Installing a new standard septic system can cost between $3,500 and $8,500, depending on your living location. But it’s not an option for every lot. Public health departments require a certain square footage of open land that's level with or downhill from the house for a standard-system permit. In some states, a state environmental agency handles such matters.

Alternative (Engineered) Septic Systems

Where the soil type, the property size, or proximity to a wetland prohibits a standard system, you’ll need an alternative system. That would be a system with an enhanced septic tank, drainfield, or both. These cost more to install than basic systems, but the prices vary widely, depending on your site, your local environmental codes, and the technology you need.

The following alternative systems help to purify the water more before it gets to the drainfield. That way, you can get by with a smaller drainfield — one in soil that doesn’t drain well — or a site that’s close to a lake or stream and therefore must meet stricter environmental standards.

Aerobic Septic Systems

An aerobic treatment unit installed can cost $10,000 to 20,000. They mix air into the wastewater, which allows oxygen-loving bacteria to flourish. They break down solids much more quickly than the anaerobic bacteria in standard septic tanks, so cleaner water goes into the drainfield. Some units also disinfect the fluid with chlorine or ultraviolet light. That’s an advantage if you live near water, where you may face tighter environmental standards on what your system releases. An aerobic unit can serve as a substitute for a septic tank or work in concert with one.

Sand Filter

Installing a sand filter septic can cost $7,000 to 15,000 and works in conjunction with your tank or aerobic treatment unit. The filter consists of a large buried or above-ground box filled with sand. A pump tank releases the partially clarified water to the top of the sand in measured doses. Water then trickles through the sand before moving into the drainfield. A bottomless sand filter takes things a step further: It doubles as a drainfield alternative by allowing the fluids to pass into the ground underneath.

Drainfield Alternatives

The other main category of alternative treatment systems — which also can be used in conjunction with or instead of standard equipment, depending on your situation — focuses on the drainfield end of the process. These systems help water disperse safely even where soil conditions aren’t great or where there isn’t enough open space for a standard drainfield.

Mound System

A mound system can cost $10,000 to 20,000. A mound septic system is a pile of trucked-in sand and gravel with a drainfield buried inside. It’s used where the soil is thin or has too much clay, or where the water table is too high. Disguising a mound is a major landscaping challenge, especially since you can’t use trees or shrubs, which might have invasive roots.

Drip Irrigation

This type of alternative septic system can cost $6,500 to $15,000. It's a shallow drainfield where water trickles out over a wide area in measured doses from a pump chamber. Installers can snake the flexible piping around trees and shrubs, which makes it easier to fit the drainfield into an established landscape. Because the piping is just six inches to eight inches below ground, though, you might need to purify the water first, perhaps with an aerobic unit. You’ll also need a filter and regular maintenance to keep the system from clogging.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: houselogic.com

If you are about to purchase a new home with a septic system, this homebuyer guide is for you! This guide provides information homebuyers need to know before purchasing a home with a septic system (also known as an onsite wastewater system), how a septic system works, and the importance of having it inspected prior to purchasing a home. In addition, this guide provides information on everyday, preventative, and corrective maintenance for when you are living in your new home. For additional information, contact your local health department, real estate agent or visit www.epa.gov/septic.

Septic System Type

Some septic systems are simple while others are more extensive and complicated. As a result, labor and material costs will vary depending on the simplicity or complexity of the septic tank system.

Septic Tank Material

Septic tanks are generally made from plastic, concrete or fiberglass.

A plastic septic tank is watertight and stands up to rust and corrosion. It’s also the most affordable option; it will cost $150 to $2,000 to repair, though due to its flexibility, you likely won’t have to worry about it cracking.

A concrete septic tank is heavy and can hang in there for the long haul if corrosion doesn’t get in the way; it will cost $500 to $5,000 to repair.

A fiberglass tank will offer excellent resistance to cracking and rusting, though because it’s so lightweight, it might be damaged during installation. A fiberglass septic tank costs $750 to $7,500 to repair.

Septic Tank Size

Like with most household systems, the larger your septic tank is, the more expensive it will be to repair or replace it. A 1,000-gallon septic tank, which is an appropriate size for a three- to four-bedroom home, will cost $900 to $1,500; installation costs will bring it up to $1,500 to $4,000.For more information contact

Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: forbes.com