When buying a home on septic rather than sewer you are buying effectively an on-site sewer system. At a minimum, this system should be pumped and inspected every three years. As far as other maintenance, not much is required except what you DON’T do. Don’t flush feminine products down the toilet. Don’t buy “flushable wipes”. There is no such thing! Don’t put harsh chemicals that might kill enzymes and bacteria – that’s how your system breaks down waste.
It seems the more I deal with septic systems the more I know they are best left to the experts. In Washington state, septic tanks get pumped whenever a home is transferred from one owner to another. The pumping company not only pumps the tanks, but tests the system and notes that each component is functioning properly. 99.9% of the time, this is done at the seller’s expense. In Thurston County, documents are sent to the county (with a fee of course) and reviewed. If everything is in order, a “time of transfer document” is issued and becomes part of the real estate transaction.
When buying a home on septic, the agents involved can only market the home per the septic tank rating. It’s not uncommon to see a home listed as three bedroom with two dens when it has been used as a five bedroom home.
Some septic systems are older and pre-date permits and good record keeping. In that instance, pumpers will draw an “as built” which is what is on the site. This doesn’t mean that it functions any differently or is any less valuable.
Olympia Real Estate Blog 