Buying a elder home, they read out the septic is doomed to failure. Been inspected but solely found it empty/rusty. Help Please.? Hi, We are buying a house and it already had a septic...
Hi, We are buying a house and it already had a septic inspection. The inspection letter said that the cistern was dry and rusted so they could not check the drainfield. It is an older septic container.
It did not say whether it was usable or not merely that what they found.
Is it possible for the septic to be good yet, a short time ago older and could last heaps more years without putting a new one contained by? It just wouldnt pass inspection if it have to be brought up to code but it is grandfathered in now?
How do I walk about finding out how bad it really is, does is really entail replacing or is that just something they are saying to enjoy us put a new one in?
If the container is dry - the house has been pointless for a while, how could we tell if it is good or not. I fathom out old septics rust because of the metal. But that doesnt necessarily mean it is impossible...correct?
I hate to spend lots of money on one if this one is fine and can be used.
The house we live in very soon has had one and the same septic for many moons. Thank you.
Being rusted like that it tell me that it is time to be changed...They haven't even allowed metal septic systems in years and years..most are concrete or thick fiberglass very soon..You will have nothing but heartache if you stay with that old of a system...If you haven't salaried for the house yet..You can ask for a reduced price due to this for the house, or give the seller the option to have a contemporary one installed..last one I had priced cost 8 thousand to do...They are more than expected 2 to 5 thousand more now Inspectors won't get down and dirty and find the problem. They also are not trying to receive you to buy a new one. They just variety you aware of possible and definitive problems. If you are sincerely worried about it call a septic expert and take an opinion and estimate. Use this estimate and other estimates for problems with the house within reducing the price of the house. I have bought many houses and if the home is elder expect to have a budget for stuff that will go wrong. Trust me stuff will progress wrong, I promise you that.
It is possible that the septic is fine. Usually with certified home inspectors , such as an ASHI certified one they are not allowed to refer or do work on a home they enjoy inspected. So, I doubt the inspector is trying to create an unnecessary bill. I would contact a septic professional and ask his or her opinion on a dry, rusty septic. They will probably tell you to try it and see. if it made of steel its more than feasible no good
Answers: I agree with the others within that an inspector cannot refer work, nor do it himself, thus it is not likely they are just truism it to have you put a new one contained by.
What they are doing, is what they are supposed to. if they cannot give a 'clean bill of health', they give you a alert, they couldnt verify it was in honest operating status. The tank itself might be fine. but with it dry, they could not verify the drain pasture was good... implication the drain field pipes may need to be replaced, even if the container itself is good.
My biggest concern would be what is the tank made of, and how weak is it? The report says it is rusted... that means it is steel... but what nice of steel? Many years ago, in rural reas, it was fairly common to use old 55 gallon steel drums as septic tank. These are thin walled containers, and over time, rust out, and collapse. Modern steel septic tanks are made of thicker steel, than you find within those old drums.
You're almost going to have to start using the system, contained by order to determine whether or not it can operate sufficient to your needs. I'd suggest starting it near a couple of boxes of RidX, since it is dry, and follow up by adding a box every month, for regular maintenance. RidX can be found at any hardware store, and most department stores that serve rural areas.
My best direction would be to assume the worst.
Assume the whole thing will hold to be replaced, and factor that into the purchase agreement, and/or financing. Get some estimates for replacing the system (tank and drainfield entire). Be AWARE -- installing a new system may mean you'd enjoy to bring it up to code... a 'grandfathered' system may not be up to code requirements. Current code requirements may call for a larger tank, more and longer drain lines surrounded by the drain field, and possibly even mean inside layer the drain field with gravel, to assist next to the leaching.
Ive seen a few cases where in that actually was NOT ENOUGH ROOM on a property to congregate new code requirements, hehehe.
You may also consider insisting that the seller bring the septic system up to code earlier you purchase the property.
Personally, I'd rather make the decree about where and how to place any unusual system myself, than have the seller variety those decisions. So my choice would be to make them drop the price by what it would cost to own it all replaced and brought up to code, or, if you think the price is really low adequate to cover it already, then add the amount to the financing. Another way out would be to have the seller 'rebate' the amount to you.
Dont a moment ago assume it will be ok.if its not, then in 3 to 6 months, you're going to enjoy a right nasty mess to deal beside.
Good Luck