The first thing you should ask when you are planning to purchase a place is: Where is the septic tank? Do you have your own septic tank? How recently was your septic tank cleaned and drained? All very essential questions for your convenience on your next house hunting.
A septic tank is a subversive compartment that’s part of the house. Built from a big cement block or big plastic drum that holds residential wastewater. Obviously, your sewage pipe is full of human waste and other rubbish. The term “septic” refers to the anaerobic bacteria environment, which means it has to have an absence of free oxygen. Therefore, this kind of tank is tightly closed preventing unpleasant odors from coming from your waste system.
Where can you find your Septic Tank?
So if you are a new homeowner the very first thing that you need to locate is your septic tank. It is very important that you know where it is on your property.
1. Some septic tanks are located between 5 to 25 feet away from the main house.
2. Septic tanks are generally buried about 6 – 10 feet underground. This depends upon the distance from the house and how big you want your tank.
3. Always follow the exit of the sewer pipe, it will lead you to the septic tank.
4. It looks like a lump or hill in your yard, basement, or crawlspace towards your yard.
5. Make sure the property has one and not the municipal sewer system before purchasing it.
6. You can ask your neighbor if the previous owner has their own septic tank if you don’t feel awkward about asking.
7. Ask the seller you purchased your home from. If they have a septic tank or they’re using the municipal sewer pipe.
This underground chamber is always tricky and practically invisible to your guests, so make it visible and accessible to you. When the time comes to siphon it, it is vital to know the exact location to avoid getting to search across your own yard. Despite the fact that plumbers know where it is located. But for emergency cases, it’s vital for you as a homeowner to know where it is placed. To lessen the trouble in hunting for your septic tank.
You can also secure the map of your house to locate the septic tank; this will save you some time too. You can use a metal detector or metallic rods to check the septic tank.
Why do you need to know
a. Safety and maintenance. Make sure that no one drives above it, or it will overflow and cost you money cleaning and drawing it off. Additionally, it is to make sure that nothing heavy is put on top of your septic tank.
b. Fixing and repairing. In case you’re smelling an unpleasant aroma coming from your tank, which is not nice and needs serious doing right away. Consider reaching for help from professional plumbers to do the job.
c. Pumping and plumbing. If it is time to clean and drain before it overflows, it is easier if you already know the location of the septic tank. If you request the plumber’s services, it will make their job easier and faster.
d. Selling the house. Be prepared to answer questions about the location from the buyer or new owner before the property is inspected.
e. Septic tank map. If you can provide one it will be very useful and helpful both for you and for the future new owner of the said property.
Always keep an eye on the septic tank signs
- Lump or hill in your yard
- The area where you are living / not a quite populated area
- Check your water bill, the city will charge you if you are using the city’s sewer system to set out your home waste. It will reflect in your monthly water bill, so if you are not charged, that means you have your own septic tank.
- If you are using water from a well. Most of the homeowners that are using well are also using a septic tank. It goes hand in hand. How will you know you use well water? You do not get a monthly water bill, it’s convenient.
Keep in mind:
A well-constructed waste compartment tank is well-closed, so it has no leaks or odors. It is also designed to withstand some earth movements even earthquakes. The number of households using it daily and the size of the house will determine how often you need to pump it out.
Now that you are all set, you don’t have to worry about the proper ways of purchasing your dream house.
