Buying a Home with a Septic Tank

Buying a home is a huge commitment and huge commitments often need a lot of planning and preparation beforehand. When you are buying a home, there are a lot of options that need to be considered and either taken up or dismissed, and one of those is whether or not you should buy a home with a septic tank. This article will look into the pros and cons of homes with septic tanks and help you come to a decision on whether or not it is right for you.

What are septic tanks?

A septic tank is a large, watertight tank that is stored underground in a property. A pipe transfers wastewater from the home to the septic tank, where sludge (solid materials) and scum (floatable materials) settle to the bottom and the top of the tank respectively. The tank is then periodically emptied by a professional. The water that collects in the middle of the tank, known as effluent, leaves the tank and enters a drainfield that is buried in the garden. This wastewater is then mixed with the soil, and the soil removes any contaminants and organic materials are broken down.

Benefits of a septic tank

One of the main advantages of a septic tank compared to using a public sewer system is the way that it benefits plants and vegetation around the property in which it is situated. As mentioned above, the drainage system that transports the effluent or wastewater into the soil gives extra nutrients to it and helps replenish plants and keep moisture in the garden.  When you use a public sewer system instead, you may have to pay costs for the sewer lines and also the raw sewage discharge from sewage plants is not environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages of a septic tank

Septic tanks can cost a considerable amount of money to set up and maintain, and they also run on electricity which means your monthly bills will increase. If the system is not maintained properly, it can become a haven for insects and flies that can spread disease. The tank can also become clogged if care is not taken as to what materials are put down sinks, e.g. oil, grease and fats. If the system gets clogged, it can require expensive repairs.

As you can see, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages of septic tanks and their usage. If you are willing to pay the extra expense for the installation and maintenance of the system, you will have the ability to replenish your plants whilst removing wastewater from your home without using sewer lines. If you are environmentally conscious, then you can also take pride in the fact that you are helping to reduce the amount of raw sewage run-off that can pollute the environment.

Jet Rod are the leading providers of drainage services in the Macclesfield area. If you would like to know more about what we do, please get in touch today and we’ll be more than happy to help you.