Moving from a home that has a city sewer connection to one that has a septic system has several key differences you should know about before you move in. A septic system at a home is designed just for the home itself, and it is your responsibility to maintain this system. Before you buy the house, here are several things you should know when it comes to owning a house that has its own septic system.

You Should Get It Inspected Before You Close

When you buy a house that has a septic system, you should get the system inspected by a company that offers septic tank services. This inspection may cost anywhere from $100 to $250 and you will have to pay for it, but it will be well worth the cost. The septic company will not only examine the tank to see how full it is, but they will also examine all the main parts of the system to ensure that the system was designed properly and that it is working as it should be. If there are any problems discovered during the inspection, you can ask the homeowner to pay to have them fixed, and this includes paying to have the tank emptied if it is full or close to being full.

You Will Need To Have It Emptied Every Few Years

When your house is connected to a city sewer system, you never have to pay to get the tank emptied. Instead, you pay a monthly fee that covers everything related to the system. When you own a septic system, you will have to make sure you call a septic company every few years to have them empty it. The actual frequency of getting the tank pumped will depend on the size of your home, the number of people who live there, the amount of water you use, and the size of your tank, and a septic company can tell you how often you should aim to do this.

You May Have To Cut Back With Your Water Usage

The other thing you should realize is that a septic system cannot handle too much water, and this means you may need to adjust the way you use water when you move into a house that has its own septic. When a system receives too much water all at once, it cannot process it fast enough, and this could lead to water puddling in your yard.

If you have any questions about septic systems or the maintenance they require, contact a company that offers septic system services in your area.