How do I know if an empty foreclosed home (Built 1900) for sale has a working septic system?

The town doesn't have any records other then it was pumped on 2005. The septic (from what I can tell) was built in 1972. The home has been empty for about 1 to 2 years. Not much in the way of records.How do I know if an empty foreclosed home (Built 1900) for sale has a working septic system?
My question to you (or anyone) is:


Why was it pumped in 2005?


Was it for periodic maintenance?


Or was there a problem with the system not functioning properly?


An operating septic system that is properly maintained requires pumping very seldom;


about once every 10-15yrs or so.


This is to clear the residual waste material that doesn't break down in the processes of the enzymes that break down the waste that leaches out of the leach-pit.


Namely the sludge and scum.


(nice terminology huh?)


The sludge is a byproduct of the process and it settles at the bottom of the tank(s).


The scum is the material that floats at the top.


As they both increase during use; the sludge rising, and the scum descending, they will eventually meet in the middle and throw a wrench in the gears so to speak.


Hence the periodic pumping.


But if the leach-pit has failed,


the waste water has nowhere to go and will fill up the tanks,


and eventually back up into the house.


One major problem with leach-pits is grease.


People will constantly pour small amounts of cooking grease down the drain, and it builds up in the tanks and leach-pit until it completely plugs up the holes in the pit, and not allow the waste water to percolate into the ground.


Before you purchase a house, you (or they) should have the septic system inspected and, if it's in good working order,


the inspector will issue a certification stating the fact.


The roof should also be certified.


I'm not sure who bears the costs of the certifications,


the seller or the buyer, or if it's shared, but it's in your best interest as the buyer to attain them.


Good luck to you.How do I know if an empty foreclosed home (Built 1900) for sale has a working septic system?
There would have to be water on at the house in order to find out if it's functional. I would make it a condition of the sale to have it working properly before a closing or I would ask to reduce the sale price of the home to absorb some of the cost of you having to fix it.





If there is no water but you can gain access to the house and there is a neighbor close by you could run a hose to fill up the toilet tanks and flush them to see if they work. You could also use 5 gallon buckets of water to fill the tanks up.
If it is a small town, it is likely the county is the jurisdiction that maintains the septic system records. Maybe a division of the County Health Department. Where I am located, the systems have to be inspected and certified at the sale or transfer of the property to maintain the license to legally operate that system. Consider checking the regulations for your state. Search ';(your state) ossf regulations';. And then call and question a local septic installer about standard procedures in your specific area. They should know.
Have a company that installs and/or maintains septic systems come out and inspect it. Whatever they charge you will be worth the peace of mind. Although, there's not a lot that can go wrong with a septic system besides clogging with solid materials. If it was pumped in 2005, it's probably functioning fine.
The septic system probably is working, if it had to be pumped. Or you can ask the agent that is selling the place.





Good luck!