Modern septic systems have a working life of approximately 25 years. Fortunately, by scheduling a routine septic inspection and making repairs as needed, you can usually add a decade or more to the lifespan of your home’s septic system.
Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling a home with a septic system, here’s everything you need to know about what a septic inspection entails and why they’re such an important step during a real estate transaction.
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What is a septic inspection?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over one in five U.S. households are fitted with their own septic system. These systems treat and dispose of wastewater from your toilet, shower, sinks, and washing goods.
Although they are designed for long-term durability, structural problems in the septic system can occur, with common problems including blockages in plumbing or clogged sections of drainfield. Unfortunately, despite the health implications of living around a malfunctioning septic system, the septic tank is often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance and repair identification.
For this reason, home buyers typically hire a third-party, pre-sale inspector to check the septic system after making an offer on a property. As the name suggests, a septic inspection is characterized by a formal check-up of your home’s septic system. In order to inspect your septic system safely, you’ll need to contract the services of a licensed septic inspection company.
After your septic inspector has finished reviewing your site, you’ll receive an in-depth written report detailing the current conditions inside the tank, the severity of any leakages around the site, and an estimate as to the remaining lifespan of the septic system.
What happens during a septic inspection?
What happens during a septic inspection will depend on the type of septic inspection you’re paying for (don’t worry, we’ll get into this later). However, most septic inspections will begin with a visual assessment of your septic tank and a basic loading and dye test.
During the visual inspection, an inspector will access your septic system by opening your septic tank manhole and taking some high definition photos of the interior. A loading and dye test involves flushing a dye through your septic system and inspecting the area surrounding the tank for any dye-treated wastewater leakages.
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If you opt for a more comprehensive septic inspection, the inspector will have time to conduct a top-to-bottom examination of your septic system, from its electrical components and mechanical plumbing to its effluent screens and scum/sludge levels.
How often should you schedule a septic inspection?
If you want to maximize the chance of detecting any issues early, we recommend having your septic system inspected at least once every five years. Over this same interval, you should also reach out to a specialist pumping service to pump your septic tank and drainfield.
Types of Septic Inspections
There are four different septic inspection levels available, ranging from a brief visual inspection to a thorough pump, soil, and engineering evaluation. While higher grade septic inspections are more expensive and time-consuming, they are your best chance for the early detection of functionality issues or potential hazards.
To give you a more informed idea about the pros and cons of each of these inspection levels, we’ve briefly described each type below. Please note, these grades are cumulative, meaning that higher-level inspections also complete the steps outlined in the preceding levels.
Level 0 Septic Inspection
Also known as a visual-only inspection, Level 0 septic inspections can be performed by a licensed home inspector and consists of a visual assessment of the septic system and, in some cases, a quick loading and dye test. Please note, some municipalities do not allow home inspectors to fiddle around with the septic system — if this is the case in your neighborhood, you’ll need to contact a licensed, third-party septic contractor
Level 1 Septic Inspections
During a level 1 septic inspections, a septic inspector will open the manhole cover and conduct a limited assessment of the effluent screens and waste pipes. In some jurisdictions, state law requires a full septic tank pump out before a level 1 inspection can be carried out.
Level 2 Septic Inspections
A level 2 septic inspection involves a thorough survey of the conditions inside your septic tank. In addition to testing the thickness of the scum layer over the effluent, they’ll also inspect the septic distribution boxes for leaks or cracks. Due to the demands of a level 2 inspection, almost all level 2 septic contractors will require that the tank be pumped prior to the inspection.
Level 3 Septic Inspections
A level 3 septic inspection is the most comprehensive type of inspection on the market. In addition to everything outlined in the level 0,1 and 2 inspections, level 3 inspectors will also assess the soil conditions around the septic leaching area and drainfield.
Who pays for the septic inspections?
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Like building and pest inspections, the cost of septic inspections are shouldered by the buyer in question. While specific costs will depend on your location and chosen inspection level, most buyers can expect to pay between $260 and $420 for a septic inspection by a licensed septic technician.
Should you get septic inspections when buying a house?
Absolutely! The whole purpose of septic inspections is to give buyers (or current homeowners) up-to-date information about the overall condition of a home’s septic system. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By identifying septic system issues early, you can save yourself thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs.
If possible, you should arrange your septic inspections to coincide with the general property inspection to ensure that you’re aware of any issues with the plumbing or septic system prior to closing. By scheduling both inspections in close proximity, you’ll minimize the chance of inspection-related issues delaying final closing negotiations.
Ready to Buy? Connect With an UpNest Partner Agent Today!
If you’re thinking of buying a house with an integrated septic system, there are a few things to keep in mind. Ideally, you’ll want to know how old the system is, when it was last inspected, and whether it has required repairs or experienced any standing water issues in the past.
All this information can be a lot to keep track of when you’re shopping for a home. If you want to make sure you’re getting the full picture and your interests as a buyer are being represented, it might be time to connect with an expert UpNest partner agent.
When you buy with UpNest, which is owned by parent company Realtor.com, you’ll be able to interview and select from a pool of top-rated local agents. Once you partner with UpNest, your buyer’s agent will guide you through every step of the purchase process, from negotiating closing costs to reaching out to septic inspection companies. Finally, as if we needed to sweeten the deal, home buyers who go through UpNest may also be eligible for up to $4,550 in rebated commission fees.
UpNest is a no-cost service for home sellers and buyers to find the best real estate agents locally. The UpNest platform allows you to compare multiple agents in your area so you can compare reviews, commission rates, previous sales, and more.
Our network agents have been carefully vetted and often offer competitive, lower than average commission rates to UpNest customers. There is no obligation to sign up with one of our network Realtors, but when you can potentially save thousands on commission – why wouldn’t you? If you’re ready to get started, just enter your zipcode below!
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