4 bedroom house built in 1971 - septic should be how many gallons? (buyers, inspector)

[Northeastah]

On another thread, I noticed that today's code calls for more than a 1000 gallon septic if a home has more than 2 bedrooms. If this is true, would a 4 bedroom home built in 1971 with a 1000 gallon septic fail inspection?

[ocngypz]

Any 40+ year old septic system can fail inspection regardless of capacity.

[tretech]

If it's in good operating condition it will pass. You don't need to make it meet today's code unless the system needs to be replaced. Same with electrical, plumbing, insulation etc.

[Northeastah]

Thank you

[399083453]

Originally Posted by Northeastah

On another thread, I noticed that today's code calls for more than a 1000 gallon septic if a home has more than 2 bedrooms. If this is true, would a 4 bedroom home built in 1971 with a 1000 gallon septic fail inspection?

Many older homes have 500 gallon septic. Its very important you get that tank pumped often. Maybe even once a year, or every two years. A septic can last forever as long as you keep the solids/fats in the septic tank out of the leech field. This is done by pumping.

[Valerie C]

The condition of the system (tank, lines, distribution box and leaching field) is what will be given a pass or fail status, not the size of the tank. The number of bedrooms according to the city or town records should match the size of the septic when built.

Codes change over the years, but the systems are grandfathered in. For example, many homes built in the early part of the century still have knob and tube wiring. Homes built before 75 may not have GFCI in areas near water (kitchen countertop or bathroom outlets, for example). They are grandfathered in, and while it is SUGGESTED that they be updated, there is no requirement, at least in NH.

Keep in mind that once you start remodeling the house or messing around with the septic system, you may need to bring thingd up to current code.


Have you ever had a septic system? The size of the tank isn't nearly as important as maintaining your leach field. No grease, fats, or paint down the sink. Septic-safe toilet paper. NO flushable wipes, no feminine hygiene products. Only things that have been 'processed' by the body should be flushed. Empty your tank each year to be sure that the leach field is operating properly (no back flow). I strongly suggest that my buyers use an inspector that does a thorough septic inspection including exposing the d-box and doing a camera insp. of the line from tank to d-box, and d-box to the leach field, each pvv pipe. It's an expensive repair or replacement, worth a few hundred to inspect it.

Originally Posted by Northeastah

On another thread, I noticed that today's code calls for more than a 1000 gallon septic if a home has more than 2 bedrooms. If this is true, would a 4 bedroom home built in 1971 with a 1000 gallon septic fail inspection?

[Northeastah]

Thanks all for your advice. This would be my 1st experience w/a septic.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by Northeastah

On another thread, I noticed that today's code calls for more than a 1000 gallon septic if a home has more than 2 bedrooms. If this is true, would a 4 bedroom home built in 1971 with a 1000 gallon septic fail inspection?

My current place is a four bedroom house built in 1969. The original owner installed a cesspool with a single outflow pipe into a drywell. That cesspool stayed in place for 43 years although a neighbor told me the widow of the original owner did have a couple of backups over the years.

I had the cesspool replaced and the state approved system is a dual chambered, 1750 gallon, concrete tank with a traditional crushed stone and pipe leach field.