Septic Systems in Clark County, WA - What you need to know.
Many of our multi-generational families find the best property matches for their housing needs in rural locations. Therefore, a septic system is usually the norm. We always tell our clients to learn more about septic systems in general. Specific to a property, it’s important to understand the design and capacity, servicing and maintenance requirements, and the costs.
At the top of the list is capacity. When we find properties suitable for our buyers, we check the county records to ensure the septic system is large enough for their needs. An improperly sized septic can add up to problems down the road. Here’s the basic requirements to be aware of per WAC 246-272A-0232.
0-3 Bedrooms - 900 Gallons
4 Bedrooms - 1,000 Gallons
Each Additional Bedroom - 250 Gallons
The regulations are based on the assumption of 2 people per bedroom. Therefore, a 1250 gallon tank can effectively handle the waste from 10 people. You’ll occasionally find homes with more bedrooms than listed in the our regional MLS, because of the limited septic system capacity. The size of the tank is also an important consideration if future plans include adding a outbuilding with a bathroom. The County may look at that as an extra bedroom and deny the application if the septic cannot support the additional room.
Sh## happens - Septic System Maintenance is Critical
We all know things happen. Improperly maintained, or improperly serviced septic systems are ripe for potential issues. In Clark County, you’re required to get your system inspected on an annual basis, and pumped every 1-3 years depending upon the design of the system. That’s why it’s smart to understand the type of septic system installed on your property.
In addition to regular inspections and pumping, homeowners with septic systems should follow some basic guidelines. For example, a high volume of waste water can upset the delicate biological balance within the tank. For a large family, showering at alternate times and not doing multiple loads of washing all at once, will help prevent problems.
Here are some additional recommendations: ( Note, we would all be wise to adopt these regardless of whether we have public sewer, or private septic systems.)
- Don’t use excessive amounts of household chemicals.
- Don’t dump cleaning water for latex pain brushes and cans down the drain.
- No coffee grounds, cooking fats (grease), paper towels, diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts, women’s personal hygiene products should be dumped into the septic tank.
- Use high quality bio-degradable toilet tissue. ( Give it the test: Put a handful of tissue into a fruit jar half-full of water. Shake the jar, if the tissue breaks up easily, it’s suitable for the septic tank.
The bottom line - septic systems can be out-of-sight, odorless (when properly maintained), but should never be out-of-mind. Mindfulness can be critical in keeping your private sewage system operating properly. A well-constructed, properly maintained tank could last indefinitely. As usual, it’s what you don’t know that can hurt you.
If you’re looking for any type of property in Clark County, Washington, we’d love to be your guides. Our experience, and expertise can save you time and money. Call us today, The Carl Group - We’re Your Locals.
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