For many people moving to the country, a septic system is new territory. It's simple to live with once you know it, but a failing one can be an expensive surprise. Here's what to check before you buy.
1. Ask for the records
- The septic permit and system layout, if they exist
- When the tank was last pumped, with receipts
- Any repairs or replacements, and when
- For treatment units, the service contract and records
Older systems may have no records at all. That's not a deal-breaker, but it's a reason to inspect.
2. Make your offer conditional on an inspection
A general home inspection usually doesn't look closely at the septic. A separate septic inspection, with the tank pumped, tells you its condition and roughly how much life it has left.
3. Walk the bed
Look for soggy ground, very green grass in stripes, smells or anything built on top: a driveway, shed, pool or parked vehicles.
4. Check the well too
Most homes on septic are also on a private well. Ask for a water test. Public Health Ontario tests private well water for bacteria for free, and you can pick up sample bottles locally.
5. Know the size
The system is sized for a number of bedrooms. If you plan to add bedrooms or finish the basement with a bedroom, the system may need upgrading.
After you move in
- Find and mark the tank lids and the bed.
- Pump the tank in your first year if there's no recent record.
- Learn what can and can't go down the drains.
Buying in Oxford County? Send the form at the top of this page and we'll connect you with a local septic company for an inspection.