I’m currently working on the details of an upcoming closing for my clients in which the home has a septic tank, pump and drain field. The house is 8 years old, and my clients will be using an FHA loan. Both of these details point to the need for an inspection of the septic system. The seller agreed to pay for the basic inspection since most buyers would likely be using a loan using FHA standards. So, yesterday, we met with the septic system inspectors to take care of this. Turns out, it won’t be that easy. We discovered after considerable effort that the septic tank and pump is right behind the house, and so is a full-length deck that provided no access to the parts of the system that have to be physically inspected. What’s more, the deck was designed in such a way that the decking could not just be pulled up to gain access. They will have to be cut and then re-fashioned into several hatches for future access. There’s a lesson here for folks who are placing new septic tanks.
Consider the modern septic system. I think you would agree that it’s a major improvement over an outhouse! Lots of people install them and expect that once they’ve paid for the installation, they’ll be able to “do their business” for free. Well, according to NC State Soil Science folks, you’ve got to at the very least have them pumped out periodically or risk ruining the whole system. Below is a chart they offer along with lots of other useful information at their web site HERE. If you want to know more about your current septic system or think you may eventually buy and build where you’ll need one, this site is full of good information.
| Table 1. Estimated Septic Tank Inspection and Pumping Frequency in Years | |||||
| Tank Size (gallons) |
Number of People Using the System | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |
| 900 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | <1 |
| 1,000 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1,250 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1,500 | 19 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Source: Adapted from “Estimated Septic Tank Pumping Frequency,” by Karen Mancl, 1984. Journal of Environmental Engineering. Volume 110. | |||||
I know some “city folks” who are scared to buy property that uses a septic tank and drain field, but they normally work very well, and with proper maintenance allow homes to be built where there is no access to city or county sewer systems. That opens the possibility of building in some of the most beautiful sites out in the country.
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