Homes that aren't connected to a town sewer treat their wastewater right on the property with a septic system. They're common across Connecticut, and a well-designed, well-maintained system can serve a home for many years.
Here's how a septic system works, what your inspector will check and what to do before you buy.
How a septic system works
Everything that goes down the drains flows into a buried septic tank. Solids settle to the bottom of the tank, while the liquid moves out into the leaching fields, where it slowly drains and filters into the ground over time.
The solids stay in the tank and are pumped out by a septic company, typically every one to three years, depending on how many people live in the house and the age of the system.
Common types of systems
Septic systems in Connecticut come in many designs, depending on the age of the home, the soil and the slope of the lot. A few you may hear about:
- Conventional gravity systems, where wastewater flows downhill to the fields
- Pump systems, which push wastewater uphill to fields that are higher than the house
- Leaching galleries or chambers, which are common in Connecticut
- Raised or mound systems, built up above the natural ground where soil conditions require it
What your inspector checks
A standard home inspection usually doesn't evaluate a septic system in depth, so it's best to have a separate septic inspection by a qualified professional. It often includes pumping the tank, which lets the inspector see inside it.
The septic inspector will typically look at:
- The tank: its condition, the baffles inside it and whether waste is flowing in and out the way it should
- The leaching fields: signs of trouble such as soggy ground, odors or wastewater backing up
- Pumps and alarms, if the system has them
- How the house drains into the system
The records tell a story. Your town's health department often has records for the property, such as permits and a drawing of where the system is located. Your septic inspector should pull those records before the inspection, so they know exactly where the tank and system are.
Two Connecticut-specific things to know
- Systems are sized by bedrooms. Under Connecticut's Public Health Code, septic systems for typical homes are designed based on the number of bedrooms. That's why it's worth comparing the number of bedrooms the system was approved for with how the house is being marketed. It can also affect plans to add a bedroom or finish a basement later.
- Watch the water softener. Many septic professionals recommend that a water softener not drain into the septic system, because the salty water it discharges can damage the tank and the system over time. If the home has a softener, ask where it drains.
What to do before you buy
- Schedule a septic inspection within your inspection period.
- Make sure your inspector pulls the town records ahead of time.
- Compare the approved bedroom count with the listing, especially if you're planning an addition or a finished basement.
- Ask the sellers for pumping and repair records.
- Plan for regular pumping every one to three years as a normal cost of owning the home.
Final thought
A septic system is just another part of the house, and like any system, it needs to be checked and maintained. Get the right inspection and the right records, and you'll know exactly what you're buying.
Looking at homes with septic systems and have questions? Request a buyer consultation. I'm always happy to help.