Septic Systems: How They Work and How to Keep Them Working

Septic Systems are, for most of us in Vermont, critical.

When buying a home or commercial property, knowing as much about the septic system you’re buying can be huge.

While standard home inspections cover the building itself, and some buyers will ask the septic tank be pumped and inspected, few well understand the leaching system in the ground and what ramifications a failed system can have on their bank accounts.

While at a septic tank pumping and inspection this week, Stuart Silloway, the self proclaimed “Wizard of Ooze” and owner of Silloway Septic Service out of Randolph, VT generously shared this wonderfully illustrated State of Vermont Septic Systems pamphlet from way back in 1978.

Times have changed a lot and inflation has brought up the quoted septic related costs dramatically: engineering and installing a new system today might run as little as $10,000 (vs $900-$1,600 in 1978) for an in-ground system to $30,000 or more (vs $6,000-$7,000 in 1978) for a pre-filtration above ground mound system, substantially more for larger commercial systems).

The basics remain the same and this informational piece may help you better understand this important, fundamental subject for both property owners and purchasers given related potential homeowner and business owner expenses, among the highest property related expenses.

Maple Sweet Real Estate provides Vermont real estate owners, buyers and sellers with diverse real estate information including septic related concerns. If you have any questions on your septic system or one you’re considering as part of a potential property purchase, would like to sell or purchase your home in Vermont, you can reach us at 800.525.7965, email at info(at)maplesweet(dotted)com or connect to www.maplesweet.com

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