Pros and Cons of Buying a House with a Septic Tank

While there are many features to consider in a home, one that seems to make almost all prospective buyers nervous; the septic tank!

Septic tanks are designed to serve households by way of disposing and treating wastewater from their homes independently. So, here comes the big question; should you get a house with a septic tank or not?

Well, before you make up your mind, be sure to check out some of the pros and cons of going the septic tank way.

Pros

• You get to enjoy privacy

  A septic system is better than a public sewer system in that it serves only your home.

  With this system, you will have your private drainage and waste system, managing the septic tank independently as opposed to relying on the local government.

• It is Cost-Effective

  A septic tank saves you money on almost all fronts, right from its installation to its maintenance.

  Additionally, with this option, you will not have to worry about the constant local government fees.

  Instead of having to pay monthly fees for septic services, you only incur costs in servicing your septic tank or consulting your plumbing agent.

  However, if well maintained, they tend to be highly durable. If it is properly installed and then well-maintained, it can last for up to four decades!

  The only thing you need to take seriously is annual inspections and regular servicing every two to three years, depending on your family’s size.

• A Septic System is environmental-friendly

  Unlike sewer systems, septic tanks do not contaminate groundwater through leaking. Then again, even if a septic system does leak, the damage only happens in a specific area or property. This way, the damage is contained and does not get to city-wide levels.

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Cons

• The need to use water sparingly

  While it is important to conserve water, the need to use this basic need every so often is apparent. With a septic tank, you will need to make some changes to your family’s water usage habits.

  Using a lot of water increases the risk of damage to your drainage pipes and entire septic tank.

• Careful what you flush!

  If you have lived in a neighborhood that was served by the public sewer system, you may have gotten away with flushing pretty much anything many a time. However, with a septic tank, you will need to be a bit more careful.

  Avoid disposing of stuff like paper towels, kitty litter, cotton balls, household oils, and chemicals into the system.

other valuable tips:

Sewage Solutions: 4 Advantages of a Septic System

Preparing Your Septic Tank for Inspection in 3 Easy Steps

• Requires maintenance

  A personal septic tank will require that you plan for maintenance compared to the public sewer system. In public, the maintenance is managed and footed by the local authorities.

  You will incur the maintenance cost as well as repairs if needed. Septic requires periodic pumping after every 2 to 3 years to prevent overflows and backups.

  Unlike the public sewer systems, the septic tanks may lack the capability to handle sewage above a certain threshold; consequently, they may require replacement when they fail. They cannot be repaired in these instances as the cleanup is costly and difficult.

If you are in the home-buying phase of life, getting a house with a septic tank is quite a good option. While preference may differ, the information above helps in providing some insight when it comes to matters septic tanks. Hopefully, making up your mind will not be so hard after all.

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