Selling a home comes with responsibilities, including those to your potential buyers. While most buyers will have a standard home inspection performed before purchase, these don’t typically include a thorough septic inspection. When buying or selling a home with a septic system, it’s essential to complete a professional real estate septic inspection.
As a seller, skipping a real estate septic inspection or ignoring septic issues could lead to costly consequences. You may face a price reduction for your home, or even legal trouble.
If you’re selling your home, don’t risk a failing grade on your septic system. Read on to find out how a professional real estate septic inspection from the experts at SepTech Canada can save you thousands.
What is a Real Estate Septic Inspection?
Prior to selling, an inspection is completed to assess the condition of your property’s entire septic system, including the tank, drainfield, and all other related components.
Your professional inspector will look for abnormalities in the system, including the presence of cesspools or standing water. During the process, they will:
- Perform a flow test to determine the efficiency of the septic system.
- Measure sludge and scum layers (solid waste) to ensure they only take up about 30% of the tank’s total volume. Anything above this could indicate an issue in the leach field — where solids are broken down.
- Examine the leach field for any overly saturated areas and indications of flooding.
- Check septic alarms to ensure these essential components are working optimally.
- Consider the future occupancy of the home to ensure it can handle the expected usage.
Your real estate septic inspection should be conducted by a licensed and insured professional.
Why Real Estate Septic Inspections are Essential for Sellers
A real estate septic inspection will inform you if your tank is due to be pumped, if it requires any minor repairs, and how close the system is to the end of its lifespan. The inspection will help you prevent minor issues from becoming costly repairs or replacements.
Other reasons for an inspection include:
Buyers Expect Them
When purchasing a rural home in Alberta, it’s typical for buyers to expect a septic inspection. It’s part of their due diligence to ensure there are no surprises. If an issue is discovered during the buyer’s inspection, they may walk away or demand expensive repairs.
Failure to complete a real estate septic inspection could delay closing while you scramble to fix unexpected problems.
Legal Considerations
Some Alberta municipalities require proof of a working system before the final sale, as a malfunctioning septic system can lead to groundwater contamination. The result could be costly fines or legal action.
If a buyer moves in and discovers a failing system, as the seller, you could be held liable for misrepresentation.
Peace of Mind
Everyone wants to feel good about their home purchase. A real estate septic inspection provides both the buyer and seller with confidence in the system, and prevents last-minute surprises.
While minor septic repairs can cost between $1,000 to $5,000, a complete system replacement can exceed $60,000. If a buyer discovers issues, they may demand you cover all repair costs or significantly lower your asking price.
Don’t Risk a Failing Grade
Don’t get caught paying the high price of a failed real estate septic inspection. Prepare yourself and your home before you sell:
- Schedule a professional septic inspection prior to listing your home to get ahead of potential issues.
- Address minor repairs proactively to avoid them becoming deal breakers or bargaining chips for potential buyers.
- Provide maintenance records to put buyers at ease.
- Consider a pre-sale certification.
At SeptTech Canada, our Client Care System ensures you’ll always have access to your inspection reports and any maintenance we’ve performed.
Real Estate Septic Inspections: An Investment in Your Home Sale
With a proper inspection, the experts at SepTech Canada can identify any issues early enough to prevent costly problems. The best defense against failing a real estate septic inspection is to have your system checked annually by the professionals at SepTech Canada.
Don’t risk a failing grade on your real estate septic inspection. Contact us to book your pre-listing inspection today.
