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kaliantye/Adobe Stock October 20, 2022 Elizabeth Rivelli is a contributing insurance writer for Bankrate and has years of experience writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Coverage.com and NextAdvisor, among others Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions an individual will ever make. Our real estate reporters and editors focus on educating consumers about this life-changing transaction and how to navigate the complex and ever-changing housing market. From finding an agent to closing and beyond, our goal is to help you feel confident that you're making the best, and smartest, real estate deal possible. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. If you’re itching to move from the city to a quieter location, you aren’t alone. Almost half of Americans would rather live in a town or rural setting than a city, according to a 2021 . But house-hunting in a rural spot brings with it issues that you don’t need to think about in a city — for example, whether the property is connected to the local sewer system or relies on a septic tank. In a nutshell, a house septic tank is a way to treat and dispose of wastewater from a property that is not hooked up to a municipal collection system. Having one on-site has its benefits, but it can be intimidating. Before you buy a house with a septic tank, here’s what you should know. What is a septic tank and how does it work
It’s common for houses in rural or areas to have a septic tank, which is a mechanism that’s used to from your home. If your home has a septic tank, it means that your wastewater gets treated on your property, rather than at a municipal treatment plant, which is more common in cities and suburbs. Septic tanks collect all sorts of wastewater that comes from your household, not just toilet waste. Anything that goes down the drain, including water from your washing machine and dishwasher, food scraps in the garbage disposal and household cleaning products also end up in the septic tank. The tank itself is buried deep underground somewhere on your property and is completely watertight. Most septic tanks are constructed from concrete or fiberglass. The size of the tank depends on the size of your home, but for an average three-bedroom house, the minimum size for a septic tank would be around 1,000 to 2,000 gallons. When you run the dishwasher or flush the toilet, your household wastewater flows through an opening in the tank, called the inlet, where the water collects. Heavy solids settle in the bottom of the tank (called sludge), whereas lighter solids (called scum) float to the top. Once the solids have been separated, the water that remains in the tank, called the effluent, gets discharged from the tank and flows through a series of pipes into a leach field (also called a drainfield). The soil treats and disperses the water, which eventually gets discharged into the existing groundwater. Septic tanks and wells
One common misconception about septic tanks is that they are somehow connected to your drinking water source, particularly if you have a well (as many rural homes do). In reality, and septic are two separate systems. Septic systems collect and treat wastewater, whereas wells pump groundwater into your home for everyday use. Septic tank inspection and maintenance
Septic tanks can be very reliable, but they need to be professionally maintained in order to operate properly. And they must be cleaned by a professional at regular intervals, through a process called pumping. During the cleaning, a technician removes the sludge and scum from the tank through a large hose. They might also inspect the tank for signs of failure, leaks or clogs. According to the EPA, a house septic tank should be pumped . Smaller tanks may need to be pumped more frequently, though, and some types need to be cleaned annually. The cost of having your septic tank pumped can be anywhere from $250 to $500 per cleaning. If you’re thinking about buying a home with a septic system, it’s important to know the rules and regulations in your state. For example, some states require the septic system to be inspected before the property title can be transferred. Your mortgage lender might also request a septic inspection, as most standard don’t include the septic system. In addition, you’ll need to learn about the local building codes for septic systems in your area. There could be town- or county-specific requirements around septic tank inspections and maintenance. If the septic system does not meet the code — for example, if the tank is too close to a well — you might need to reinstall it elsewhere. Pros and cons of septic tanks
Before you buy a house with a septic tank, consider the pros and cons. Here are some things to think about: Pros
More affordable: A septic system saves you from having to pay for municipal sewage service, and can also save you money on property taxes as well. Better for the environment: Septic systems are environmentally friendly. Long-lasting: Properly maintained septic systems can last 20 to 30 years, or sometimes more. Cons
Needs regular maintenance: Septic tanks need regular pumping and maintenance, typically every few years, which can cost up to $500 per cleaning. Failure to maintain them properly can get messy — and expensive. Septic lines can get clogged: When you live in a home with a septic tank, you have to . If the lines get clogged and stop draining properly, sewage could back up into your drains. Potential for water contamination: Septic tanks that are clogged or are not functioning properly can potentially contaminate your well water. Bottom line
Home septic tanks aren’t necessarily something to be afraid of when you’re house hunting, and in rural areas they might be a necessity. But they need routine maintenance to avoid costly — and messy — problems. Before purchasing a home with a septic system, it’s smart to have it inspected to make sure there are no signs of trouble. SHARE: Elizabeth Rivelli is a contributing insurance writer for Bankrate and has years of experience writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Coverage.com and NextAdvisor, among others Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content. Related Articles