Most home inspection companies are based in the cities and used to public sewage systems. Owning a rural property has several advantages like open space, privacy and being able to enjoy natural beauty of the land. A septic system basically a huge appliance, like a furnace or hot water tank that need to be maintained. When buying a rural property, it’s crucial to hire a home inspector with special knowledge of this kind of system. The most costly replacements can be up to $40,000.
Parts of a Septic System
It is highly recommended to have a backflow prevention valve on the drain piping coming from the house. In addition, having a septic alarm is required by the Alberta Private Sewage Standard of Practice. This is to let you know when the levels of the tank are higher than normal. Avoid taking long showers, doing laundry or anything that will lead to a backup. Your leach field may even be clogged.
Decreased performance
What can you do when there is decreased performance in your septic system? For example, your toilets are flushing slow. Start with the cheapest options first. The first thing to try is Roebic Leach Field and Drain Opener. There’s a cheaper option if you have access to your distribution box.
The next option if there is a clog in the septic system is hydrojetting. This is high pressure water going into the piping and pushing out any unwanted debris. This is not ideal and can damage the piping, especially any perforated piping in the leach field. This should be the preferred fix when there is a clog in a header pipe.
The last option is replacement. Your last and final option. The lifespan of a leach field is 20-30 years, even as high as 40 years with good maintenance and low usage. Signs the leech field should be replaced are when the grass is unusually high or is saturated and stinking. Heat from the septic system can even melt snow leaving a bare patch in the winter. Depending on your location, it may be possible to trench a new system and connect to the existing septic tank. This is the cheap end of replacement options .The most expensive type of replacement is usually a mound system which is up to $40,000. Hence why I recommend the cheap options first.
What can you do?
Most septic problems are from disrupting the natural bacteria in the septic system. When examining the tank for an inspection, there shouldn’t be a excrement smell, it should be almost earthy. Be very careful and let the tank air out when first opening. There may be toxic gases which have caused a loss of consciousness. Never put yourself in a position where you might fall into the tank. Most problems are from overloading the septic system with detergents. Doing 4-6 loads of laundry in one day is not advised. Try to spread laundry loads throughout the week. You can buy a bacterial enzyme to regenerate the bacteria, but compared to pumping your septic system, it might not be worth it. Don’t buy any holistic septic maintenance solutions like worms.
How often should you pump the septic system?
Typically every 3-5 years. On average a septic tank pumping cost will cost between $200-$400. You need access! Some septic systems are completely buried. You’ll need someone to locate the septic tank with a radio transmitter, then uncover the tank to find the access. This is why you definitely need a riser. coming out of the ground.
Hire an inspector when you buy a rural property
When you’re buying a rural property, make you to hire someone that knows what to look for. Gambit Inspections takes additional training in order to properly inspect septic systems and give you a heads up on any problems down the line.
