If you’re planning to swap urban living for an idyllic home in the countryside, you’ll no doubt be expecting fresh air, picturesque scenery, and peace and quiet. Something that may take you by surprise, however, is the lack of conventional infrastructure. Certain things that are commonplace in towns and cities aren’t available in remote parts of regions such as North Somerset and North or West Wiltshire, where many of our customers live. ‘Few country villages have mains gas or mains drainage, so expect oil-fired central heating and a septic tank,’ as one estate agent remarks.
Many rural homes have septic tanks buried in their grounds – it isn’t feasible for water companies to connect these isolated properties’ drains to sewers instead. After wastewater flows into a septic tank, it gets partially filtered and cleansed, thanks to gravity and helpful bacteria. It leaves behind dense waste known as sludge and travels through a drainage field, where the soil and more bacteria finish the treatment process.
Septic systems are invaluable in the countryside. So if your dream home has one, it’s crucial to check its condition and familiarise yourself with septic tank emptying (also called desludging) before signing on the dotted line. It’s homeowners who are in charge of these private, off-mains drainage solutions, not water authorities. As the Environment Agency’s general binding rules for septic tanks emphasise, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the tank at your new home works properly, doesn’t pollute watercourses and is emptied regularly.
As septic tank emptying experts, we’re well-placed to offer advice about off-mains drainage. So let’s discuss what you need to know about the septic system at the property you intend to purchase.
The property’s current owner is legally obliged to inform you in writing about the presence of a septic system. They should provide key information about the system, including a description of it and any alterations, its location and how to maintain it. Relevant documents, such as maintenance manuals and records, should also be made available to you.
If there’s anything you’re unsure about, don’t hesitate to request more details. If the sale goes through, the seller will hand over ownership of the septic tank and drainage field to you. You need to feel confident that you know how to look after them. A septic system can last for 40 years – but only if it’s well maintained.
Helpful questions to ask the seller when buying a house, cottage or other home with a septic system include:
In addition to speaking to the seller, you can always ask a drainage company to conduct a professional inspection of the drains and septic system, known as a homebuyer’s drainage survey or pre-purchase survey.
For best results, we’ll remove the sludge first with a powerful suction pump and tanker (as discussed in our septic tank emptying FAQs). Then we’ll use an agile CCTV camera to survey the pipework and tank. We’ll also check the tank from above via the access covers and examine the drainage field.
After the homebuyer’s drainage survey, we can produce a helpful map of the building’s drainage system and an illustrated report. The latter will alert you to any problems (such as blockages, cracks or boggy ground) and explain how we can help you to fix them. If there are any major issues, you could renegotiate the property’s price or abandon the purchase.
Arranging a homebuyer’s drainage survey gives you peace of mind when your heart is set on a rural home. It’s the best way to find out exactly what’s happening to the drains and septic system (which aren’t usually thoroughly checked during standard property surveys) and avoid being confronted by unpleasant issues upon moving in.
The Mega-Rod Bath drains experts are often relied on to perform pre-purchase drainage surveys and annual septic tank emptying.
We have over 40 years of experience in the drainage industry, so you can leave the hard work to us while you focus on living out your dreams in the countryside.
Need help with a septic tank? Call Mega-Rod today on 01225 422980.
