What To Expect When You Get A Title Five Inspection On Your Septic System So You Can Sell Your House
If you're planning to sell a home with a septic system, you'll want to have the system inspected before closing the real estate deal. In some states, the inspection is mandatory and the results are sent to the board of health. For instance, title five inspections are such thorough inspections of a home's septic system, that you can feel confident of closing the sale when the home passes. If problems are found, you're made aware of them and the repairs that have to be done. Here's how a Title Five inspection works.
The Entire System Is Checked
A Title Five inspection is more involved than a simple camera check into the sewer line. There will probably be digging in the yard to get to the tank and lines. First, the inspector starts by examining records for your home and comparing the size of the tank against the number of bedrooms in your home to determine if the system is in the right location and the right size for the property. Then, the physical inspection takes place. The tank may be pumped at the same time or you might have to pump it beforehand so the system can be inspected more easily. The pipes, tank, and connections are checked for clogs, damage, and leaks. The drainfield is also examined and a soil test is done. The inspection can be a lengthy process, but it ensures every part of your home's sewer system is checked for potential problems that could contaminate the soil or groundwater.
A Report Is Compiled
A comprehensive report is generated from the inspection data. You receive a copy of the report and another copy is sent to the state. The results also contain the pass/fail results and repairs that are needed if your septic system fails the test. If your septic system fails the inspection, the state gives you a timeline for when repairs must be completed to bring your system up to acceptable standards. When you transfer ownership of your home and an inspection is mandatory, the results are automatically sent to the state. You can also order a Title Five inspection for your own purposes that doesn't have to be reported. You might want this done for your own peace of mind or when you know the system needs repairs and you just want to find out what has to be done.
A Title Five inspection may seem like a lot of trouble to go through to sell a house, but it's important for protecting buyers from buying a home that will need expensive septic system repairs. Since all homes have to go through the process when they transfer owners, the inspection helps ensure there are no damaged and leaking systems polluting the local groundwater.
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