We were recently asked by some friends who are preparing their home for sale if they should pump their septic prior to getting their home on the market. Their logic was the system would be serviced and fresh for buyers which would reflect positively for their home. Makes sense right? Well, not so.
When a buyer is purchasing a home they have the option to do inspections on the home and the septic system as well. If a buyer opts to do a septic inspection the inspector often requires the tank to be full for the inspection. What happens is the tank is actually pumped as part of the inspection. If a seller pumps their tank prior to listing they may end up having to pay for the tank to be pumped twice. Although buyers pay for the inspection, the sellers are typically resonsible for pumping the tank. In addition, if the test requires a full tank and the tank has been recently emptied the sellers may have to pay to have the tank filled with water and to have it pumped.
The exception here is if your system is not in good working order. Then you have no choice but to get it serviced. If this is the case I would talk with the company servicing the septic system and inform them of your situation, letting them know your plans to put your home on the market.
In some cases we have been told by the inspection companies there are tests (depending on the septic system) where the test does not require a full tank, however this is not typical. So our recommendation is to save your money and wait for an offer before pumping your septic!
Here are some links on septic system I found interesting.
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9401.html
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/housing/448-400/448-400.html
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/NSFC/nsfc_septicnews.htm
Jill and Ron Fuhrer- Professional Realtors with Family Values. Easton, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Tatamy, Stockertown, Forks, Hellertown and other Northampton County Areas!
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