Septic system
A private wastewater system for a property not connected to a public sewer. Includes a tank and a drain field. Needs periodic pumping and regular attention.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A septic system is the seller's to have inspected in many places, and a failing drain field is one of the most expensive findings in a rural sale. Pumping records and a recent inspection are what a buyer wants to see.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your home has a 1,000-gallon tank and a drain field from 1994. The buyer's septic inspector pumps the tank and runs a load test.
| What the inspection finds | What tends to follow |
|---|---|
| Tank sound, field draining | A clean report; some counties issue a certificate |
| Tank needs baffles, field slow | A repair in the low thousands, usually the seller's |
| Drain field failed | A new field, often $10,000 or more, and a hard negotiation |
The septic is the most expensive system a rural home has, and the inspection is where it is priced.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a septic system that has never backed up is fine. Fields fail slowly, and the inspection tests what the toilets do not.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
One piece of your sale. Here is where all the pieces live.
In your room, this word explains itself where it appears.
Keighbor keeps your whole home sale in one place and defines every term like this one right where you meet it, in the step you're on. Free to set up, with or without an agent.