What Are The Repprcussions Of Buying A Unpermitted Septic Tank? (Solved)

What happens when a septic tank fails?

  • A broken septic system may lead to contaminated groundwater, unhealthy drinking water, and an increased chance of bacteria and contaminants in the area. Signs of a failed septic system may include, but aren’t limited to: Slow flushing toilets, or backed-up drains.

Can you sell a property with non compliant septic tank?

Septic tank regulations If your existing system does not adhere to current, you may need to replace or convert it to do so before listing a property for sale. That should then be listed as a condition of the sale. Failing to meet the General Binding Rules can lead to enforcement action being taken.

Do sellers have to disclose unpermitted work?

Sellers are legally required to disclose any additions or unpermitted work that they know about. However, by being upfront about the situation, you can work with buyers to assure them that the work can be fixed. Selling a house with unpermitted work is possible — even easy — if the changes are minor.

How common is unpermitted work?

For many homeowners, this small detail slips through the cracks, then becomes a problem when they want to put their house on the market. “I would say out of 10 homes at random, at least 4 of them would have some form of unpermitted work, you know, 40% to 50%,” says Shawn Engel, says a top Denver-area real estate agent.

What happens if you do unpermitted work?

Along with the possibility of facing a lawsuit, the major penalties associated with unpermitted work include heavy fines and being required to pay for reversing the work or bringing it up to code.

Are septic tanks still legal?

Septic Tanks Explained… Septic tanks cannot discharge to surface water drains, rivers, canals, ditches, streams or any other type of waterway. you are required to upgrade or replace your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 2020, or when you sell a property, if it’s prior to this date.

What is the law for septic tanks?

According to new regulations passed in 2015, if your septic tank discharges to surface water such as a ditch, stream, canal or river, you will have to upgrade your system to a sewage treatment plant or install a soakaway system by 1 January 2020.

Can unpermitted work be grandfathered in?

Unpermitted construction is never grandfathered in regardless of how many years have passed. In some cases, if the inspector finds that, while unpermitted, the work does meet the relevant codes, the property owner may be able to get away with just applying for a permit and paying the fines (which may be significant).

What happens when you buy a house with unpermitted work?

If the homeowner installed an addition in the past without a permit that included electrical work, and they did it incorrectly, it could cause a fire after you’ve already purchased the home. Your homeowners insurance company may not cover the damages from that fire when they uncover it was caused by unpermitted work.

What happens if you buy a house that has unpermitted work?

Your mortgage lender can call in the loan if they learn you knowingly bought a home with unpermitted work. Once a bank calls your loan, the entire balance is immediately due. If the city inspector discovers the unpermitted work, you could face fines or tax penalties for any unreported improvements.

What happens if a seller does not disclose?

If a seller fails to disclose, or actively conceals, problems that affect the value of the property; they are violating the law, and may be subject to a lawsuit for recovery of damages based on claims of fraud and deceit, misrepresentation and/or breach of contract.

How do you disclose unpermitted work?

The best way to disclose unpermitted work is to tell the buyers firsthand before they make a deal with you. You have to make sure that they know what they are getting into if they are going to buy the house.

How do you legalize unpermitted work?

In order to meet the city’s building and safety standards the following steps will need to be taken in order to legalize the unpermitted construction work.

  1. Issue Construction Documents.
  2. Check Zoning Ordinances.
  3. Plan Check Review & Building Permit.
  4. Inspections & Repair Work.
  5. Certificate of Occupancy.

Can I remove unpermitted work?

To remediate unpermitted work, homeowners usually need to hire a licensed contractor to remove all aspects of the unpermitted construction and install something in its place.

What happens if something is not up to code?

Renovations made without permits – Some renovations do not require permits, but if they do and you don’t have one, you’re liable to pay a fine and may be required to demolish the renovation if it can’t be brought up to code. “One of the big things is building permits for bathrooms, additions, and finished basements.”

How to Avoid Septic System E&O Claims

It is based on a presentation by Diana Mendez and Jim Meseck, White and Steele, Colorado. They are the authors of this article. The material provided below is for informative purposes only and is based on Colorado rules and statutes. Make certain to research the exact rules and permit requirements in the county or state where the property in issue is located before purchasing. For CRES Customers who have issues about a transaction in their state, the CRES Legal Advisory Hotline is available to assist them.

The number of septic claims is increasing, and it appears that 100 percent of these claims are avoidable.

How to Avoid Septic System Claims

The first step is to contact Legal Advisory Services (which CRES offers with real estate E O insurance) if you have questions concerning septic concerns and aren’t sure what you should do. Our first inquiry when we get a new claim and when we initially contact with a customer who is facing legal action or a licensing issue is always, “Did you use the CRES risk management hotline?”

What to Look for as the Buyer’s or Seller’s Agent

Consider the following scenario: you’re showing a prospective buyer a house, but you’re not sure if it has a septic system because the MLS listing doesn’t specify. There are various red signs to look out for, including the following:

  1. There is a greater likelihood of a septic system being installed whether the house was built before 1970 or after 1980. (but that varies by state). Another disadvantage is that the septic system is more likely to be nearing the end of its useful life and may require some modification or refurbishment
  2. Is there a beautiful green marshy region in the yard? Do you think so? Is the grass in that area greener and growing more quickly than it is elsewhere? As a general rule, this indicates that there is an issue with the leach field. Your seller informs you that they have experienced some plumbing troubles, but that they have had someone come in and the problem has been fixed. The presence of a backup may suggest that there are concerns with the septic system.

Why Recommend Septic System Inspection

In fact, it is your responsibility to advise your clients on what is in their best interests. Septic inspections should be recommended to purchasers and sellers who have septic systems, especially if the examination is not mandated by the local municipality or township code (some counties in Colorado require inspections). We had a situation where the house had previously been occupied by a couple, but had now been taken over by a family. Because the family was clearly putting additional strain on the septic system, plumbing issues began to arise.

If there are issues, damages might run anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 to six-figure sums, depending on the circumstances.

Always propose to your seller or buyer that the septic system be tested before purchasing a home.

You want to be certain that you’ve informed your buyer or seller (and that you have documentation of the disclosure) that an inspection is necessary.

When You Need Septic Permits or Inspections

Regulation 43, which governs the usage, modification, maintenance, permitting, and inspection of septic systems, was enacted in Colorado in 2013 and may be found here. Regulation 43 is a 115-page detailed handbook that outlines what you must do while using, installing, altering, or repairing a septic system, as well as when constructing a new septic system. Several counties in Colorado, as well as local municipalities, have enacted ordinances or local legislation that require property owners to get septic permits for their sites.

When selling a home that includes a septic system, what should you do is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

It is necessary for you to know whether or not they have experienced any problems with their septic system.

If you’re a seller’s agent in Colorado and the seller’s property disclosure states that the property has a septic system but does not provide a permit number, you’ll want to investigate more.

You should inquire as to whether or not they have ever had a permission. If they haven’t, you’ll want to double-check that they aren’t in one of the counties where permits are necessary.

What Triggers Septic System E O Claims

When difficulties arise following the sale, they usually stem from one of two sources: either the new owners have a plumbing backlog or they wish to expand the property. Perhaps you have prospective purchasers who have informed you of their plans to renovate or expand a home. It’s possible that the property already has a functional septic system. It may be authorized or not permitted in certain circumstances. The purchasers may not be aware of the modifications that will be required, or that they will be required to go through the Regulation 43 process to determine whether or not they will be able to make the changes or additions.

  • The purchasers make their way to the county.
  • They learn that they will need to recruit engineers.
  • They have to have an inspection done, and they are well aware that it will be costly for them.
  • “You people didn’t tell me I had to do this,” says the narrator.
  • You knew I wasn’t from around here, and I’ve never had a septic system,” and so on, and then there’s a lawsuit.
  • The transfer of title inspections or the issuance of permits are not required in every county in Colorado.
  • These are some examples:
  • Counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek (Denver), Douglas, El Paso (Albert), Gilpin (Jefferson Park), Pitkin (Pitkin County), and Summit In order to incorporate more counties, the list is currently being amended.
See also:  How To Test Septic Tank Pump? (Correct answer)

Despite the fact that the legislation was approved in Colorado in 2013 and is slowly being implemented county by county, we believe that this will eventually become a statewide mandate in the future.

Address Septic Issues Prior to Closing

When it comes to closing, why is it so critical that you deal with these difficulties before hand? A septic inspection, like any other aspect of the property that should be evaluated, may serve to safeguard all parties involved in the process. If you fail to conduct a transfer of title inspection in the Colorado counties that require it and the buyer later comes back to you, you will be subject to a lawsuit and maybe a license complaint. Despite the fact that the seller may be penalized by the county, there are other ramifications that you must deal with.

  • When they are attempting to get one, they may learn that they are in a county where sewer is accessible, and that they must connect to the sewer system if at all possible.
  • When the buyers find out about the cost (which varies depending on the county and how far the sewage hookup is from the house), you can bet that you’ll be hearing from their attorney shortly thereafter.
  • You may find out more by visiting the Colorado Department of Health website (or call the CRES Legal Advisory Hotline).
  • Because real estate is mostly a referral-based business, you want every customer to believe that you were extremely thorough.

Buyers should be informed in advance if they may be responsible for a $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 septic system repair price rather than being surprised later on in the process.

When You Help Avoid a Septic System E O Claim, You Help Your Business

Septic system E O claims are one type of claim that can be avoided. If you are forced to become engaged in litigation, the time, money, and stress that it would entail will have a detrimental impact on your company. Taken together, having to take an hour or two away from your company to speak with an attorney, having to appear for depositions, and having to attend mediations are all activities that are time-consuming. Not only is it stressful for you, but it also takes time away from the things you want and need to be doing in order to build your organization.

  1. The answer is that it is extremely dependent on the type of action that may be taken against you as well as the laws in your place of residence.
  2. We think that all of those claims are barred by a two-year statute of limitations in the state of Colorado.
  3. It is not just from the moment of shutting that this is true.
  4. The purchasers are likely to claim that they were unaware of the situation until the septic system began to malfunction.
  5. Overall, you want to make sure that you are taking every measure to avoid septic system employment lawsuits.

Should You Buy a House With a Bad Septic System?

Should you purchase a home that has a failing septic system? In the event that you fall in love with a property only to discover during the home inspection that the septic system is in terrible condition, you may find yourself wrestling with this subject. In most cases, septic systems are installed because the property is located in a rural region where there is no public sewer available, or the home is older and while it previously did not have access to a public sewer, it now does—though it may not have been connected yet.

Here’s when a faulty septic system is a deal breaker and when it isn’t a deal breaker.

Bad septic system: Repair or replace?

“Septic tanks are a straightforward mechanism,” says agent Adam Wise of Pearson Smith Realty in Washington, DC, who explains that water flows into the tank and is displaced by the equal quantity of water that travels to the drain field. Tree roots encroaching on the soil around the drain field are a common source of septic system difficulties. It may just take a few minutes to clean the roots to make a simple remedy. Alternatively, a septic system may be malfunctioning because the tank baffle—the device that separates the tank from the drain field—needs to be repaired.

Minor repairs might cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Failure indicates that the septic system is no longer capable of treating and distributing wastewater. Toilets that drain slowly and standing wastewater on the ground above the drain field are both indications that a new septic system is required at the residence.

How much does a septic system cost to replace?

It’s possible that a property’s listing price has been reduced due to a septic system failure, and that the house is a wonderful bargain depending on the sort of system that will need to be installed, according to Wise. When replacing an existing septic system in the same location as the previous one, the average cost is $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the soil and the kind of system that is being constructed.

Septic systems and financing

Keep in mind that a faulty septic system makes it more difficult for a buyer to obtain financing for a home. According to Holly Gray, a broker with Re/Max Pacific Realty in Bellevue, Washington, “it is frequently the case that the lender will require a working septic system on traditional financing options.” “The Federal Housing Administration will not authorize a loan on a property with a defective septic system.”

Who pays for septic system repairs: The buyer or the seller?

It is common practice in most states for house sellers to cover the expense of repairing or replacing the septic system. If the septic system is beyond repair, you may be able persuade the sellers to replace it totally. Agent Two houses with poor systems were recently sold by Aaron Hendon of Christine Company at Keller Williams in Seattle. In each case, the seller covered the replacement costs, and the work was done prior to the closing date of the transaction.

When replacing a septic may not be worth it

“If the leach field itself has failed, it is possible that the entire septic system may need to be relocated to a new place on the property,” says Welmoed Sisson, a Maryland home inspector. An experienced septic expert will inspect the site for system needs, such as the position of the system in relation to any available water sources. According to Wise, you’ll also need to have a soil evaluation, which would cost around $1,500. It is expected that soil professionals would examine the soil type and slope of the land.

Many current systems are level with the ground, however new rules may no longer permit this and may need ugly remedial measures to be implemented.

The former is unattractive, while the latter may necessitate monthly pump-outs.

Keep in mind that a failing system might have polluted the soil in the area surrounding its original position, so do soil testing to see whether there is any possible ground contamination at the former location.

Septic systems and home improvements

It’s important to understand that if you’re planning a big makeover in a home with a septic system, you’ll need to first connect to the public sewer system (assuming that one is accessible, of course) before you can proceed. According to Gray, the state of the septic tank will not be a consideration in this situation because it will no longer be in use. The buyer is responsible for the expense of connecting to the municipal sewer system, which is not insignificant. “We spoke with our septic firm about how much they estimated it would cost to connect our former house to the sewer,” Sisson explains.

“It’s in the neighborhood of $90,000.” One advantage, of course, is that you can point this out to sellers and use it as leverage to negotiate a fantastic deal. Or to put it another way, an inefficient septic system may always be used to your advantage.

The Risks of Buying A Home With Unpermitted Renovation Work — Twin Oaks Real Estate

When you’re looking for your ideal house, it’s easy to fall in love with any renovated amenities, such as a newly-renovated kitchen or bathroom, a completed basement, or a newly-installed deck, that are designed to make your life more comfortable after you become the proud owner of the property. However, when those attractive features turn out to be unpermitted labor, they may quickly become expensive nightmares, especially if there is no paper trail to substantiate that the enhancements were made with legal authorizations.

  1. Read on to learn more.
  2. When it comes to house alterations or construction, the word “unpermitted work” refers to any work that has been done without the proper permissions to make it legally valid.
  3. In the process of purchasing a house, you can go at the property disclosure statement issued by the seller to see a list of the items that the present owners have done to the property during their ownership, including any work done without a building permit.
  4. In certain towns, it is also possible to check the status of permits on the internet.
  5. Obtaining permits for any home improvement project that necessitates them is critical, particularly if the project involves electrical, plumbing, or structural work.
  • They are looking to save both time and money. Obtaining the necessary permissions can be time-consuming and difficult, depending on where you live and the city or county in which you reside. And, of course, there’s the associated filing fee, which may run into the hundreds of dollars range.
  • They were under the impression that they would be living in their houses indefinitely. It becomes even more enticing to engage in unpermitted work when you believe you will never be able to sell your house. They want to maintain their assessed real estate worth at a minimum. They will be able to save money on property taxes in this manner.
See also:  How Much Does A New Septic Tank Costin Massachussetts? (Correct answer)

Here are some of the potential pitfalls of buying a home with unpermitted work:

If the municipal inspectors in your neighborhood discover that your house has unpermitted modifications, you will be accountable for getting a retroactive permit for the projects that have already been executed on your property. The cost of retroactive permitting will be determined by the scope and value of the construction project being undertaken. In addition, because the cat is out of the bag, you may be liable for back taxes on the increased value of your house as a result of the disclosure.

  1. You’ve fallen in love with a property that has a completed basement, only to find out that it was built without the proper permits and approvals.
  2. In other cases, they may simply demand you to demolish and rebuild sections of the redesigned work in response to their suggestions and comments.
  3. They can offer you an estimate of the cost of bringing it up to code, as well as an indication of how much of it has already been constructed in compliance with current building regulations.
  4. When your homes insurance provider discovers that the fire was caused by unpermitted work, they may refuse to pay for the losses caused by the resulting fire.

A claim may be denied if a person is injured while walking on an unpermitted deck, or if a tree falls on a refurbishment that was not approved by the building department. If you try to collect on your insurance coverage, you may find yourself in the middle of a lengthy and costly litigation.

When purchasing a property, the last thing you want to do is take the subject of obtaining permits and paying fees into your own hands, especially if you can avoid it. If you are purchasing a house, consult with a local and professional buyer’s agent who can help you through the whole process, including the implications of unpermitted remodelling work. They may also assist you in taking it into consideration when drafting an offer. He or lawyer can also assist you in putting wording in the purchase agreement before signing it that will hold the seller liable if something goes wrong (which will be discussed further).

In addition, the house inspector can check with the local permitting authority to verify whether any permits have been obtained.

Keep in mind, however, that it might take weeks or even months to complete the permitting process, which could cause the closing to be delayed or even put the sale on hold.

When a seller is not interested in addressing an issue, he or she may offer you a discount and sell the property as-is, which means they are selling the property in its existing condition and will not be held liable for any work done without legal permissions.

r/legaladvice – Found a surprise illegal septic tank on our property

Comments have been archived and are no longer available. Please be patient with me since this is my first ever post on Reddit. I’m completely bewildered and overwhelmed in this circumstance, which is why I’m reaching out to strangers on the internet for help. The house where my spouse and I live has been our home for nine years. When we purchased the property, one of the selling aspects was that we were connected to city sewer but just had to pay county taxes. This was really significant to me because I had had previous experience with septic tank troubles.

When the plumbers came out to dig up and repair the sewage line, they discovered that not only were we not connected to city sewer, but that we had been using a septic tank that had reached its “expiration date,” as they put it, some years earlier.

Is our house contract still valid despite the fact that it fraudulently says on many occasions that we are on sewer?

Which of the persons that sold us the house (they are both real estate brokers) do you think is the most dependable? Is this a problem with the municipality? Any assistance is much appreciated. Please accept my thanks in advance. We’ve updated our location to reflect that we’re in the United States.

Real Estate & Septic System Inspection, What You Don’t Know Will Hurt $

Moving homes or purchasing your first home is meant to be an exciting experience. For the vast majority of us, it is a life-altering choice, a step towards that ideal lifestyle, or a relocation to be closer to that ideal employment opportunity. However, even under the best of circumstances, purchasing or selling a property may be a difficult task. It’s a familiar scenario: attempting to bargain while your children rush about, squabbling over whose room they should receive. And the last thing anyone wants is to move into a house with the expectation that everything is in working order only to discover difficulties later on, such as a leaking roof or a faulty septic system.

Unfortunately, the majority of these queries come into our office after the fact, after the home has been sold and the new residents have already moved in.

Do not put yourself in the position of having to deal with septic tank issues, or having your purchasers come after you for compensation.

Buying a home with a septic system

What is the location of the septic system, and where does the treated wastewater go when it is treated? These appear to be fairly straightforward questions, but they may save you a lot of time and aggravation down the road, particularly if you’re intending to undertake your own home improvements or additions, as well as build a storage shed or grow a vegetable garden. In fact, the position of a septic system might determine whether or not it is safe to park a car in certain areas. Septic tanks are a type of holding tank.

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If you’re examining a property that has a septic system, make sure to ask for a plan of the system prior to entering the property.

What is the route of the pipework?

Has the septic system been regularly maintained?

A septic tank or sewage treatment plant will typically require pumping on a regular basis, and treatment plants should be serviced on a yearly basis. In addition to yearly inspections, periodic servicing and maintenance must be performed to ensure that the system is working smoothly and effectively between annual visits. In the event that a septic system has not been properly maintained, it is possible that a component of the mechanism would malfunction or that it may be showing indications of problems.

See also:  What Is The Life Span Of A Cement Septic Tank? (Solution)

When you are going over the service visit and maintenance provider invoices, keep an eye out for any indications of problems or problems with the system.

Inquire about the contact information for the septic system maintenance firm that has been performing the services or tank pumpings, and then phone them to follow up.

They’ll be able to tell you whether or not the system has been serviced on a regular basis and whether or not there are any current difficulties with the system.

How much does septic system maintenance cost?

Anyone who has owned a home previously will be all too aware with one of the most significant drawbacks of home ownership: the continual expenditures of keeping it up and running. To move into a home with a budget in mind, only to realize that some parts of the property would cause you to go over your budget is the last thing you want to happen to you. So, if the house you’ve had your eye on has a septic system, make sure to find out how much the upkeep, services, and tank pumping would cost before making an offer.

What is the water capacity?Ask for the System Design’s Daily Design Flow.

Various types of septic systems are capable of handling varying volumes of water. Ensure that you inquire about the maximum water capacity of the home’s septic system and that you compare this figure to your average water use. Generally speaking, if you use more water than your septic system is capable of handling, you will either need to reduce your water use or have your septic system improved.

How old is the system?

A well-kept septic system will survive an average of 25 years if it is regularly maintained.

Is it ok for a seller to sell a home with a septic system that’s in poor condition?

It is dependent on the situation. Whether or not the septic system (even if in good condition) fulfills environmental safety and health regulations will depend on your own willingness to accept the property as well as the quality of the septic system. The most crucial thing to remember is to conduct thorough research. Has the septic system been properly serviced on a regular basis? Do you think a maintenance worker or a pump truck will be able to get to it? Is it necessary to update the septic system?

If an update to the septic system is required, you may be able to negotiate the cost of the improvement as part of the sale price.

Septic systems in Canada are required to adhere to tight guidelines in order to comply with environmental safety and health regulations.

In this case, even though the quality of a septic system is satisfactory, it may not fulfill the required criteria.

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Is any part of the septic system on third-party land?

The plumbing, drainage area, or septic tank itself is on a neighboring property or field, isn’t it? If that’s the case, there might be an issue. The easiest method to assess this type of issue is to speak with a neighbor or landowner and inquire about access restrictions. If they’ve had a negative connection with the sellers of the property you’re interested in purchasing in the past, you may be refused physical access to the septic system, even if the system would be legally yours. After then, you’d have to go through the legal system to get your matter resolved.

It’s also important to evaluate if the septic system or drainage area is exclusive to the property you’re interested in purchasing, or if it’s shared with a neighbor.

Determine whether there is an existing legal agreement that all parties will pay to the costs of maintaining a shared sewage system in a circumstance where the system is shared.

What is access like to the property?

If you have any plans for future renovations or additions, this is a crucial subject to address. The septic tank will need to be emptied at least once every 3-5 years in order for the septic system to function correctly. It will be necessary for pumper trucks to go within 30 meters of the septic tank in order to empty it.

Selling a home with a septic system

To put it mildly, a prospective buyer will be interested in the state of your septic system. As a result, identifying the condition of the item will be an important stage in your pre-sale procedure. Your service record may also be requested by the prospective buyer. Maintain documentation of routine maintenance, servicing, and tank pumps. If you don’t have a record or invoice for them, you should be able to get them from the firm that provides the maintenance services. You may also be required to provide a layout of the system, as well as specifics such as the water capacity, the age of the system, and the amount of money spent on maintenance each year.

What if the septic system is in poor condition?

If your septic system is in need of replacement, the buyer will almost certainly want to negotiate a replacement as part of the purchase price. If you don’t have enough time to arrange an upgrade, the buyer may be ready to accept a lower price or a monetary credit to cover the cost of the upgrade instead of a lower price or a monetary credit. Septic systems in Canada are required to adhere to tight guidelines in order to comply with environmental safety and health regulations. The stringency of these laws has changed over time, which means that an aseptic system that was installed to code years ago may need to be upgraded in order to comply with current regulations and standards.

My septic system is in working order. Do I need to arrange an inspection anyway?

A professional septic system inspection is highly recommended – and we’re not just saying this since we’re in the business of inspecting septic systems, either. A home inspector will only be able to check the visual condition of your property and its plumbing systems. They will not be able to examine the status of the septic system in its natural state.

Knowing the status of your septic system and having documentation proving that it is in good functioning order and meets regulatory regulations will make pricing and negotiating for you much simpler and less time consuming.

What will a septic system inspection involve?

A basic dye test is performed as part of a normal septic system inspection. A fluorescent dye will be injected into the sewage system by the septic systems specialist in order to conduct the test. It is possible that your septic system failed the test if the color appears on the ground above the drain field. If you have the opportunity, you may wish to request a “open pit test.” This entails emptying the tank and removing the soil that has accumulated on the top of the tank and around the distribution line’s perimeter.

Though expensive, this test is the only technique to correctly verify the state of a tank’s internal components.

They’ll also be able to inform you whether or not your septic system complies with current building codes.

This might entail the use of a pipe camera and the examination of the surface for apparent symptoms of dysfunction.

A note on septic system ‘experts’: Who’s one, and who’s not?

An inspector will only be allowed to check the visual condition of the property and its plumbing, as previously stated. They will not be able to examine the status of the septic system in its natural state. Your real estate agent is not an expert on septic systems, for the same reason. The vast majority of real estate brokers are not knowledgeable with septic systems, including the testing and maintenance documents that are required to evaluate the status of the tank. Please believe us when we say that we have spoken with a large number of customers who have purchased a house with a malfunctioning septic system, believing that the system was in good working order since the real estate agent informed them that the tank had been routinely drained.

(Also, even if the tank has already been pumped, if records show that the tank is being pumped too frequently, this may indicate a fault with the system.) We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to get your septic system evaluated by a competent sewage systems inspector.

We’d be delighted to assist you with some of your more difficult questions.

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