Human waste is generally a topic that people avoid, that is until something goes wrong with the septic system. There is nothing worse for a homeowner then dealing with a backed up septic system. As a homeowner, or soon-to-be-homeowner, you need to know that the maintenance of the septic is entirely up to you.
According to EPA.gov it states, “If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars.” The quickest way of knowing if the septic system is in good, working order is to have an inspection performed.
The septic system is made up of four major components that all need to work properly to maintain a productive and effective way of treatment for household wastewater. The first component is the pipe attached to the home that allows the wastewater to exit and enter the septic tank.
The second component is the septic tank, where the wastewater flows. The septic tank allows the waste to form into a sludge, and oil/grease to rise to top, and typically has screens to prevent the sludge/scum from entering into the drain field.
The drain field is the third component of the septic system. Many states are requiring homes now have a reserve drain field. The drain field is where the wastewater exits from the septic tank. If the drain field clogs or backs up, it causes flooding and waste to rise to the ground surface. It also keeps the wastewater from necessary treatment.
The last component is soil and is the final treatment of the wastewater. It is at the soil stage where treatment removes the most harmful substances like bacteria or viruses.
When should the homeowner or homeowner-to-be have the septic system inspected? If a first time homebuyer, then it is necessary that the inspection be done before signing the property contract. Once a contract is signed, then the responsibility and cost of septic problems will become the responsibility of the new owner. If a homeowner already, then the EPA recommends that in order to keep a healthy maintained system, a professional should inspect it every 3 years.
If the home has an alternative septic system that includes an electrical float switch, it needs inspection at least once a year. Overall, the septic system is one of the most important parts of a home, and should be maintained and inspected regularly. The main reason it should be inspected is because not only will it help on cost savings from replacement, it ensures that it will not cause any health risks due to working improperly.
When you are looking at buying a home, you can be up to your eyeballs in decisions and caught up with all the areas needing your undivided attention. The process, as a whole can be very stressful, not to mention emotional. It’s this onslaught of emotions that possibly the most important decision can be easily or simply forgotten about. What is “most important decision,” it’s the service of a home inspection. One of the most powerful weapons in your buying armory.
The reason that a home inspection is so beneficial and powerful is that it is the only service where a qualified inspector examines closely the structure of the home in question. They then report on all the working and operating components giving an accurate evaluation and life span of each.
There is no need to be rushing through the closing of the home you want to buy. It is not recommended to make such a large investment without having a trained professional inspector give the “all clear” or highlight points that need immediate attention.
The inspector, once he or she has evaluated the property will hand you a completed report of everything that has been inspected. The results can then be used to communicate with the the seller about whether they are willing to foot the cost of repairs or reduce the asking price. (This of course works only if the home is not being sold AS-IS). It does allow you the funds to buy the home and cover the repair costs that are needed if they are willing to lower the asking price.
Many people see a home inspection service as an added cost and that they don’t need to add onto the overall cost of purchasing the home. It is true, an inspection is an added cost, but it’s an added cost you can’t afford to ignore.
The difference between you hiring a home inspection service is years of happy memories or years of constant builder’s fees and unending repairs, all which could have been avoided if a home inspection had been carried out previous to the signing the contract on that home.
Get in contact today with a professional home inspection company that can give you the peace of mind you need.
There are many decisions to be made by both interested parties (buyer/seller) when it comes to a home listing. One of the most important and beneficial decisions for each to make, which is to decide if he or she should hire an inspection service.
Here are the main reasons both buyers and sellers should consider a home inspection service:
In some cases, the buyer will not have to cover the cost of a home inspection. The buyer can ask the seller to cover the costs and in most situations, if it “seals the deal,” the seller is happy to cover the home inspection costs and services.
Home inspectors check beyond the exterior and don’t mind accessing crawl spaces to evaluate what lies beneath. This is very helpful in getting a proper and accurate report of the property condition.
Many professional companies offer specialist services including radon, mold, well-water testing, and termite inspections. Termites have a real possibility of destroying a structure and in the process a homeowner’s finances. So make sure to have a termite inspection.
A completed home inspection report will give the buyer/seller a realistic and accurate evaluation of the life expectancy of all appliances connected to the home. (e.g. HVAC system, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, etc.).
Structural damage is very costly to repair if the damage has progressed and deteriorated through years of neglect. A home inspector gives an precise accounting of the home structure, including roof and foundation.
A home inspector can be picky, and rightfully so, it’s their livelihood to find issues other people would overlook and disregard. Overall, a home inspection is for the benefit of the buyer or seller who need the information to go ahead with the sale or renegotiate the original asking price. Whether buying or selling make hiring a home inspection service the number one concern.
Who benefits the most for a home inspection? Simple question with a simple answer, you are the person who benefits most. There are many stages of buying a home; first stage is looking for the perfect property, singling out and the choosing the best option. On the other hand, if you are a seller, then opting for home inspection by a building inspector can greatly increase the chances of a glitch-free sale.
It does not matter if you are the buyer or seller of a home what matters is that a home inspection service can save time and thousands of dollars in repairs due to issues that may be detected before purchase.
The homeowner can help improve his/her chances of having a speedy sale if there has been a home inspection service carried out. In most cases, an early detected problem will cost less than repairing it when things have advanced into a worsened state.
The home buyer needs the home inspection in order to get a correct and accurate idea about the home they put an offer on, or to use the issues found as a negotiating tool. Getting an expert’s opinion and evaluation on all issues, including minor ones, will give the buyer an opportunity to offer the correct price against the asking price.
A home inspection is not mandatory in the home buying or selling process (like an appraisal), but it is essential and helps clear things up. It also offers peace of mind whether it is the seller looking to put the house on the market, or the buyer about to place a bid.
By not hiring a home inspector, it could leave too many things wide open. In some cases, either the home owner or buyer will be the person left paying high pricing of repair costs. Put your best foot forward during the stages of purchase, hire in an experienced home inspector, and take advantage of the benefits.
The waiting is over and the year of saving up and doing without your luxuries has paid off. The months of searching are over and you finally have the funds to cover the deposit on your own home. The home buying process can be stressful enough without the need to add any more stress from other areas.
It is not compulsory for a home inspection to be included in the home buying process. This means that it is often ignored and looked at as an area where you don’t need to be spending any more cash. This is a big mistake.
Having a home inspection done on any potential home that you are looking to buy is the smartest investment a home buyer can make. The benefits of a home inspection service are very simple and could be the difference between you being in-pocket or out-of-pocket thousands of dollars in repair and building costs.
An experienced home inspector will inspect many components within the home and externally. Everything from your foundation’s condition to your roofing structure will be evaluated and everything else in-between.
Having a detailed inspection report will allow you to hand this over to the seller with the findings on that home. The seller then has a couple of different options to take. They can either get the repairs carried out themselves, although this could change the original asking price as the house has now been upgraded from its original state from when it was put on the market. The other option the seller has is to reduce the asking price to allow you the funds to cover the pricing of the repair costs.
All in all, a home inspection is not compulsory but it is essential in terms of you getting the right house at the right price in the right condition and state.
