Buying a new home comes with many responsibilities, from discussions with real estate agents and brokers to credit and loan approval to appraisals and home inspections. When it comes to home inspections, it may seem like just one more burden to schedule a septic inspection, however, it is vital to ensuring your new home will be a safe and sanitary choice. Here, the septic inspection experts at Home Land Environmental explain the value of scheduling a septic test before purchasing a new home.
Your Septic System is One of the Most Critical Components of Your Home
The purpose of a septic system is to safely and efficiently trap solid waste and return the effluent(or liquid waste) to the ground for purification. The average family of four creates 8,000-12,000gallons of wastewater a month, making your septic system one of the hardest working systems in your home. Testing a prospective home’s septic system ensures that your family will be safe and comfortable for years to come.
You May Not Know the Waste Disposal Practices of the Former Family
Unfortunately, not everyone disposes of waste properly, and this can have a huge impact on the quality of a home’s septic system. If the former occupants of the home disposed of waste in unsafe ways—for example, flushing diapers, feminine hygiene products or baby wipes down the toilet instead of placing them in the trash—their septic system may be suffering. Additionally, a family that poured cooking oil or harmful chemicals down their drains may have killed the bacteria that help to break down waste in the septic system, which can lead to problems in the future. Even if the former occupants of the house practiced proper waste disposal techniques, it is critical to ensure that the system is sound and functioning properly.
A Home Inspector May Not Be a Septic Expert
While hiring a home inspector is a great way to ensure a house is structurally sound and safe for use, it is not necessarily the most effective way to inspect a home’s septic system. Home inspectors analyze a variety of household components, including the foundation, roof, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, structural elements and more. This means that they cannot dedicated a large amount of time to each specific component and are therefore unlikely to perform a detailed examination of the septic system—if they test the septic system at all.
Furthermore, most home inspectors are not septic experts, and may not know all of the different elements of a well-functioning septic system. Relying on experts who specialize in septic systems—like the professionals at Home Land Environmental—will help to ensure that every component of the septic system is working as it should.
Replacing a Septic System Can Be Burdensome and Expensive
When choosing a new home, it is important to know the age of the septic system. Most septic systems have a life span that averages 25-30 years, but this may vary depending on the previous home owner’s waste disposal practices and the type of septic system installed. Purchasing a home without knowing the septic system’s age may leave you with a system that requires replacement in the next few years, which can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor.The cost to replace a septic system is vast running from $8,000-$50,000. Knowing the facts about a prospective new home’s septic system will allow you to make the best purchase for you and your family.
Contact Home Land Environmental for Peace of Mind When Purchasing a New Home
Purchasing a new home is an exciting event, but it can be stressful if you do not know all of the facts before you buy. Having a prospective home’s septic system tested for efficiency and safety is a vital component of the home buying process and will help to ensure the home you purchase will be safe, clean and comfortable for years to come. The septic testing experts at Home LandEnvironmental are not septic installers or pumpers—this means that when Home LandEnvironmental tests your septic system, you know you are receiving honest, unbiased results. If you are in the process of purchasing a new home and require a septic inspection, contact the experts at Home Land Environmental today!
