Real Estate FAQ
If you're buying or selling a home on septic, start with a septic inspection.
Septic questions for home buyers and sellers
Yes. An inspection can catch problems before you buy and help you avoid expensive repairs after closing.
A peace of mind inspection is included with a pump-out and consists of a visual evaluation of the system's condition. A formal inspection includes a pass/fail report and is typically used for real estate transactions. The formal inspection reviews the same visible components as the peace of mind inspection, including the septic tank, baffles, and visible signs of issues in the lateral field. All visible components of the septic system are inspected.
Buyers should ask when the tank was last pumped, whether there have been any repairs or backups, how often the diversion valve is turned (if applicable), and whether any septic records or permits are available.
Septic systems are designed based on the number of bedrooms in the home. Adding bedrooms without upgrading the septic system can overload the system and potentially cause failure.
Possibly, but any increase in bedroom count may require approval from the Arkansas Department of Health and could require a septic system upgrade or replacement depending on the existing system size and lot conditions.
In some cases, yes. However, upgrades depend on available property space, soil conditions, current system condition, and Arkansas Department of Health requirements. Not all properties will qualify for a larger replacement system.
Yes. Lids you can get to make inspections and pumping easier. Locating and digging are priced separately. Because it is hard to know how long they will take, we quote them as time and materials and set the total once the work is done.