Posted: 1/27/2010 2:21:15 PM EDT
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I'm trying to buy a house, and i'm on the 4th one now that i've had to pay out of pocket for inspections, and i'm sick of losing the house, and my money. The most recent house is the most economical for me, and will make me a lot of money down the road, but the septic failed inspection. It's a 40yr old system, in the backyard of a very rocky terrain. According to the inspector, the seepage pit is too saturated to function and needs to be replaced.
The system does however have a 1000gallon septic tank, and a 500gallon grey water tank, that feeds into the seepage pit...so essentially theres 1500+ gallons of crap capacity. I believe the inspector said the system was designed for 4 people living at the house (3 bedroom 2 bath). I'll be living by myself, with the nightly visit from my girlfriend, and the occasional party. My question is this: would I be able to just pump the tanks once a year to skirt the $18K replacement cost so I can get in this house? I'm already getting a $330K house for $260K, so I'm getting a hell of a deal, buy my attorney and realtor are pushing for more money, when the seller is pretty much broke. I dont want to lose another house. |
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Usually, the county you live in will not allow you use your septic tank as a holding tank without ensuring no wastewater goes out to the failed treatment component (ie drywell)
Also you'd be lucky to go 2 mos. between pumpings with 1500 gallons holding, figure and average of 50-100 gallons/person/day. I'd either look as was said before, at getting an allowance for replacement of the septic system, or move along. what part of the country are you at? |
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No, there is no way a failing septic system can be pumped from time to time to keep it semi functional. The holding tank is simply too small. Even with a gray water system.
My neighbor tried this. He was pumping his out every 2 weeks. My advice for potential homeowners or sellers is exactly the same. Get someone else to pay all fees, repairs, and doc stamps, including title insurance and what not. Septic is no exception. Make someone else pay. It's simply amazing what people will agree to. Don't be one of those. |
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Quoted:
I'm already getting a $330K house for $260K, so I'm getting a hell of a deal, e. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG You're getting a 260k house for 260k something is ONLY worth what someone is willing to pay for it right now. If it was WORTH 330k, then it would sell for 330k, it's not and it isn't. and damn right have them fix it. some things are just wear, but things like a roof, heating, plumbing, etc kinda have to work to be a livable house. cost of being in a house. septic systems are getting incredibly expensive (since the .gov has to poke their nose into it big time now), so make them fix it, or give you money to fix it. honestly at this point the house is WORTH about 240k, maybe less. Probably can't even get a CO without a working septic. |
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Inspection was done by a seperate septic company
It's in Passaic county, NJ....3 bedroom 2 bath homes are usually in the 350K+ range. This house has an unfinished living room, and the septic was the only part of either inspections that failed. So even if I put 50K into the house i'm still ahead of the average. Yeah I understand that it's only worth what someone pays, but the house 3 doors down just sold for $320K and it's a smaller house. It's in semi-rural area that's very keen on preserving it's forests. The town also requires sytems such as septic to be replaced by the homeowner when the house is put up for sale. I find out this weekend whether the homeowner is gonna cancel the contract because of this or not |
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Even if you get another opinion, I'd be weary, or at least concerned, about a 40 year old system, especially with a drywell.
I am assuming what your inspector called a seepage pit, is what we call a drywell here. They were fairly common here back then, but are not legal here anymore. |