Septic systems (Monroe: house, buying, home inspector)

[domergurl]

We are looking to move a little south of where we are now. We would love love love love love to get out of a subdivision and into an area with a little property. We have never dealt with having a septic and well. Without making myself sound as ignorant as I already do, can anyone give me the low down? Are they a pain in the keester to deal with/maintain? Are there special inspection reports that one acquires before obtaining a piece of property with a septic system?

[Southside Shrek]

Domergurl
many well-designed septic systems work just fine provided they are properly maintained. how old is the one you're planning on buying? did you walk around the yard to check for any crap percolating up to the top of the ground?

do all the toilets flush well after heavy rains? try flushing all of them at the same time to see if the septic system can handle it.

make sure that any old and unused septic tanks were taken out of the ground and disposed of. an unused buried tank can be a real hazard, especially for small children who can fall into them.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

Domergurl
many well-designed septic systems work just fine provided they are properly maintained. how old is the one you're planning on buying? did you walk around the yard to check for any crap percolating up to the top of the ground?

do all the toilets flush well after heavy rains? try flushing all of them at the same time to see if the septic system can handle it.

make sure that any old and unused septic tanks were taken out of the ground and disposed of. an unused buried tank can be a real hazard, especially for small children who can fall into them.

There's one house that was built in 2003 and another built in 1980. We are looking at them tomorrow.

[MoMark]

My septic tank was installed in 1993 and this house had been owned by a mom with two teenage daughters.....so I can just imagine what went into it....
My septic is noticeable only by the pipe that juts out of the ground about nine inches with a cap on it. I like it very much and it's a bit downslope from the house, which makes sense using natural gravity to help guide flow.
My well gives me terrific quality water, super cold, fresh, and it's hard water, so I get deposits over time. I figure it's got to be good for me to drink like an all-purpose vitamin with minerals in it! But I have to scrub the build-up out of the tea kettle every now and then as it builds up and I have to clean the faucet head screens out now and then to keep the water from spraying from build-up out of the faucets. It's no big deal.
I have put a box of Rid-X down the toilet and flushed it twice to get the right enzymes and bacteria into the septic to help keep it clean.
I don't think you'll have any problem.
As for inspections, there are special inspectors just for septics and wells. For the wells they can take a water reading and tell you if it's got any contamination, etc. I didn't have an inspection on my well water here when I bought this house, though I had had one done on a house I'd earlier been in contract on which later fell through (thank God!).
If it makes you feel better, then have the well inspection done, especially if the area has industrial facilities, etc.

[Southside Shrek]

make sure the well head is far enough away from the septic.

[rrah]

Domergurl, I always lived with city water/sewer until we moved out into a more rural part of Monroe County. We still have city water, but are on septic.

I was pretty concerned about the changes, but overall easy to deal with. You just need to exercise a little more caution---make sure you have a fantasic garbage disposal if you have one. Certain things like paper towels should never go down the toliet. We switched to a dishwasher and washing machine that is more water efficient, but that's because that's what I wanted. I used the septic as my reasoning for the expense.

About every 4-5 years it should be pumped out. (Just call the guy and don't watch) A regular home inspector will usually just walk the field or mound looking for mushy spots. I would strongly recommend a full septic inspection to make sure everything is working as it should. There are mixed opinions on the use of Rid-x and similar products. The man that installed our system said don't use them. It destroys the bacteria that is supposed to eat the "stuff."
Guy that cleaned it said yes. Online research also supports both opinions.

When my parents sold their lake house the well was inspected for the quality of water as well as the quantity of water per minute or something like that. It had to do with the flow and rate of availability. Again, would recommend a specialized test for this.

[domergurl]

Thanks so much everyone!