There are many reasons why you should consider waste treatment when inspecting a potential home. Depending on where your property is located, the waste water may be treated and recycled at a municipal plant, or it may be dealt with in any number of ways on the property itself. It may not be top of mind when you are property hunting, but keep in mind the land around the home can be affected. In fact, waste disposal as a part of home inspection is required by law in most countries.
In this article, you’ll learn about the different waste treatment considerations when inspecting a potential home.
Ensure Health And Safety
Every homeowner has a unique way of treating waste, and for potential homebuyers, it’s crucial to know the treatment methods available in the local area where the property is located. While industrial establishments have wastewater treatment plants, residential areas often have septic systems.
The importance of having a good septic system can’t be overstated. You have to ensure the health and safety of your family by determining the warning signals of septic system problems, including the following:
- Foul Odor From Pipes: If you live in a rural area, the first thing you may notice when a system is not working properly is a smell that emanates from your pipes. It may be an odor that’s similar to that of rotten eggs, which is also a sign of a clogged drain. That’s why it’s imperative to find out exactly what’s causing this smell.
- Slow Draining Sink: Clogging in the pipes is a very common problem. Usually, this will occur when you’re putting too much of something into your piping system, or something that perhaps shouldn’t be in the pipes at all, such as leftovers, for long periods of time. Also, the likes of detergent or cleaning chemicals can cause buildup in the piping and reduce the flow of drains.
- Toilet Bowl Issue: If your toilet doesn’t flush waste completely or properly it could be a sign of a problem further down the line. Eventually, this causes the drain to clog completely and you certainly don’t want that to happen.
It’s often recommended to check a septic system every year for problems. Septic system problems can be avoided by simply maintaining the yard and the plumbing system. As much as possible, the area where the septic fluids leach should be free from debris, leaves, insects, etc.
Avoid Disposing Of Different Types Of Waste
The types of waste being disposed of can vary dramatically based on where the property is located and what the usual household waste is made up of. You don’t want to end up buying a property with a lot of improperly disposed of buried wastes underneath the garden or anywhere in the house. That’s why a home inspection is necessary to ensure that all hidden wastes are unleashed.
Some of the basic types of wastes that may be found in any home include the following:
- Solid Waste: It’s also called ‘junk’ waste, like paper products, old tires, garden waste, metal scraps, old timber, and other recyclable substances.
- Liquid Waste: There is typically a lot of garbage in homes that contain some sort of liquid. Examples would be old paint cans, household cleaners or pesticides. All of these need to be dealt with properly.
Avoid Major Waste Problems
In addition, if you have an older system, there’s a high likelihood that there may be more than one main problem with it. Older systems can have a tendency to slow down considerably, causing the flow rate to drop.
In addition, if you have a septic system, you need to make sure that it’s functioning properly. If there are issues with your septic tank or the way that your drain lines are set up, then. A system that has a lot of built-up material in it will have trouble with draining water faster, since the solid matter will clog the system. You’ll also want to check incomng water. Check for proper water pressure and sufficient quantity of good quality water.
Checking the plumbing system, particularly the sewage system of a home, could affect your septic tank. If your sewage system is not properly maintained, this could leave you with unpleasant results, such as odor coming from your toilet tank, and a need to replace your septic system.
Avoid Costly Repairs And Replacements
There are many different reasons why you should consider inspecting the sewage system of the property you’re planning to buy. If the system is not properly maintained, you may have to replace or repair some parts of it.
One reason that sewage systems can have problems is if they’re being used for a lot of household garbage. Garbage and solid waste will cause clogs in the pipes, which will, then, require a whole host of new pipes to be installed. This can be costly and can leave you without clean water for a period of time.
Conclusion
It’s important that a home is thoroughly inspected before purchasing to ensure it meets or exceeds health and safety standards. If a home is being considered for sale, an inspection is the only way to ensure that the seller and the buyer are made aware of all necessary things to address when it comes to waste management, most especially concerning wastewater treatment and sewage or septic systems.
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