Moving into a new house is a fun time, and you likely already have a few home improvement projects that you're thinking of tackling. But if your new home has a septic tank, and you've never encountered one of these before at your previous residences, there are some things you should keep in mind. Here are some tips for what to do when moving into a house that uses a septic tank for waste removal.
Make Sure You Have All Applicable Records
When moving into your new home, the previous owner may give you a blueprint of the house and any other available documentation. But if the house has a septic tank, make sure you get any and all records related to its setup and maintenance. This could include system drawings, a list of installed equipment, the service records from the local septic tank service company, and so on.
Educate Your Family On The Dos and Don'ts of Septic Tanks
If you have a septic tank, you'll want to make sure you don't accidentally do something that could cause a clog or other damage. For example, if you are used to flushing your food waste down the kitchen drain, you may want to take steps to ensure that all grease is removed before it goes down. If you are used to doing all of your laundry at once on the weekend, you may want to spread this usage out into smaller loads throughout the week. Fix any and all leaks as soon as they are encountered.
Contact the Local Septic Tank Service
Hopefully you got at least some documentation from the previous owner on your septic tank's service record. You can choose to stick with the same service provider, or do a little research and find another company that meets your needs. But either way, make it a point to contact such a company ASAP and schedule your next appointment. Just how soon this will have to be depends on when the previous owner last had the tank pumped. If you are unsure, you can get someone to come out and inspect the tank and give you an idea of where things stand.
When moving into a home with a septic tank, make sure all members of your family are educated on what you can and cannot throw down the drain. Make sure you get all appropriate documentation for the tank from the previous owner before the sale closes. Make contacting a local septic tank service (such as Southern Sanitary Systems Inc) a priority during your first month in the new house.
Share