One of the biggest problems I face when trying to sell homes in the country is the possibility of the septic inspection failing. The cost of a new septic tank can be rather expensive. While living in town, I was hooked to a public sewer system. If my plumbing from the house to the sewer system was functioning properly, the rest of the sewer system was the responsibility of the city to fix and maintain. I really didn’t have much to worry about as the city oversaw maintaining the public sewer system. In the country, we are on the hook to make sure that our own plumbing and septic system is functioning properly.

More times than I care to admit, many of my seller clients don’t even know where their septic tank is located on the property, or even the last time it had been pumped out and service work performed. If you fall into this category, I certainly encourage you to contact a local septic specialist to help you with locating and pumping your septic tank.

The first step to maintaining your septic tank is to have it pumped out and inspected by a professional on an annual basis. There are many different types of septic systems out there, so it is important to make sure that a professional inspects your septic system and that you have that system pumped out annually. Usually, the person you have pump the system can give you a good assessment as to how the system is functioning, and what problems you may need to look out for. Below is a list of the top 4 reasons, that I have had septic inspections fail.

1. “Greywater” not connected to the septic system:

What is greywater? This is any source of wastewater from the house that does not carry fecal matter. Sources of greywater include sinks, bathtubs, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. This issue is often a simple fix but results in an automatic failure on a septic inspection. Many sellers don’t realize that a septic inspection requires the inspector to examine the plumbing on the inside of the home to make sure everything is plumbed properly to the septic.

2. Undersized septic tank:

Most counties have a specific tank size requirement based on the number of bedrooms in the house. We run into this for a few different reasons. This may be due to an additional room being added after the tank was installed, or the tank was installed well before the county established these guidelines.

3. Undersized leach field:

In some cases, the septic tank is properly sized, but the leach field is too small for the size of tank. This is usually easier and more affordable to fix than having to install an entire system.

4. Proximity of septic tank and water source:

Most counties, for good reason, have specific guidelines for how close a septic system and a well can be to each other.

A septic system that is not functioning properly can become a contaminant to the water supply.

These inspections safeguard the environment and groundwater. Sellers may claim no
issues with their systems, but compromised functionality and potential safety risks could remain unnoticed. Regular maintenance increases the property’s value.

Stay connected. Be sure to follow Matt Cox on Facebook.

MEET MATT COX – Local Expertise Within Reach

Matt, a full-time Licensed Realtor, with LandGuys of Illinois. He lives in Fulton County with his wife Ashley and two sons Easton and Camden. Matt specializes in rural land sales which include recreational land, tillable land, rural home sales, and waterfowl property sales. Over the years, Matt has sold rural properties. He has also assisted numerous clients in navigating unique circumstances and obstacles specific to rural real estate ownership. Through this blog, he aims to aid rural landowners in making informed decisions and calculated improvements to their properties. Matt hopes these efforts will enable landowners to maximize their enjoyment, enhance their return on investment, and ensure the land retains its value, both aesthetically and financially.