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RealEstateGuide050711_050712 A colonoscopy for your house
By Butch Strait Special to the Record- Eagle Why would anyone talk about their septic system? More and more people are interested in making sure that their system is working correctly. In recent years the thought of pumping the septic tank, where the contents are going and how much does it cost has been talked about to great lengths. Counties and Townships are implementing and or talking about septic and well inspections. Kalkaska and Manistee County require a septic and well inspection when you sell your house. Long Lake Township in Grand Traverse County requires a septic inspection when you sell your house. In Kalkaska and Manistee you have to pump your tank if you do not have records of it being pumped in the last 2 years. Long Lake does not require pumping of the tank. If pumping of the tank is part of the requirement for the sale then inspection of the tank prior to pumping is recommended. This allows the inspector to see how well the system is operating from the color, odor, and depth of the contents. In some instances the inspector may require pumping of the tank to check for leaks. With homes that are close to the water there might be a concern of the tank leaking in. In this case the tank will be pumped and the inspector will return the next day to check the tank for water infiltration. The price for systems varies from $5000 to $35000. A property or home that is next to an open body of water may require a special system that cleans the water to a better quality before it is discharged or an elevated drain bed. These systems may require an engineer to design and an operator to maintain them. Do not find out afterwards that the septic system is on your neighbor’s property. Or that the tank is homemade and falling in. Or that the septic goes directly into the water table. Or that the septic is shared by your neighbor. All of the above have happened. A well and septic inspection can give you a idea of what is happening on the “inside” just like a colonoscopy. Your typical system will have one tank. Some have a wall in the middle to make the tank a double compartment tank. A drainfield will be used for the dispersion of the effluent. Most health departments do not make you bring the system up to code. There may be some concern with older systems that are used for summer cottages and now might be used full time by the new owner. The system may have worked for the previous owner that only used the cottage for a weekend in the summer.
What should an inspection include The Tank should be inspected for: 1. Sludge, scum, and clear zone depths 2. Baffle in place 3. Leaks (in or out) 4. Sound structure of the tank top and lids 5. Isolation distances The drywell or drainfield should be inspected for: 1. Depth of cover 2. Vegetation over system 3. Stone Color, sand infiltration, dryness 4. Depth to water table if applicable. 5. Isolation distances From: http:// zoominlocal.com/ traverse- city- record- eagle;see-2011/05/07;c-1255697
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