Does my new home have a septic system? How do I find it?

You most likely have a septic system if:

• You are on well water;
• The water line coming into your house does not have a meter;
• Your neighbors have a septic system; or,
• You live in a rural area.
• You can find your septic system by:
• Looking at the “as built” drawing for your home’s septic system, which you can request from your local (e.g., town, county, or state) health department’s records;
• Checking your yard for inspection caps, lids, or manhole covers;
• Working with a septic system service provider, who can help locate the system; and,
• Asking the seller or realtor.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

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