Septic Systems on Whidbey Island - Buyers Be Prepared
Because they can be expensive to replace, every knowledgeable buyer will want to know the condition of the septic system of a home they are considering buying. A septic inspection can yield useful information on the condition of these systems. Also, searching the Island County Public Portal for inspection reports, plumbing records, and as-builts will help.
Care for your System:
A septic system is a delicate biological machine. It functions because of the actions of bacteria and the properties of the soil. If not maintained, this biological machine could shut down, a very unpleasant and costly setback. Therefore, it is crucial to care for your septic system by watching what goes down the drain, reducing water use, regularly inspecting, pumping when necessary, and protecting your drain field and reserve area.
Septic Inspections:
One of the most critical steps to buying a home with a septic is the inspection. Often this is done by the Seller before listing the property but the report will be available and calling the inspector for more information if there are any red (or yellow) flags is an important step. Inspections for the sale of a home are a little more stringent than a homeowner maintenance inspection and include the following:
The structural condition of the tank, effluent and effluent baffle tees, pumps, floats, etc.
Absorption test on the drain field.
System conditions, including root invasion and soil compaction.
As your guide we can advise you on who the best inspectors are, how to set up a maintenance plan that will protect your asset, and when to dig in a little further on a septic system report that may have passed muster with County regulations but is hinting at longer term issues. Reading between the lines is our specialty!
