There are a number of reasons why the standard home inspection does not include a detailed inspection of septic systems. The article below gives insight into some of the problems a home inspector would run into if he or she attempted to inspect septic systems.

Often homebuyers, clients of home inspectors, wonder why a standard home inspection does not include a full inspection of the septic system. As a realtor, who has studied this issue, I can answer that question for you. The truth is that the home inspector is not equipped to do a septic inspection. This job needs to be done by specialists with equipment designed for working on septic systems. Below I have listed a few of the problems that take the septic inspection out of the realm of the standard home inspection.

First, the tank is usually buried in the earth, so no view of the system is available. The specialists who pump septic tanks require specific training and are equipped to inspect the tank once it is EMPTY. Obviously, they also have the equipment for pumping the tank.

A home inspector is not set-up to locate, excavate the soil covering the lid, measure the scum mat or sludge depth, or pump the tank -- which is required to do an internal inspection.

A home inspector is not prepared to dig up the distribution box, determine the groundwater level or research the system's installation and service history.

A home inspector is not equipped to safely deal with the biological processes taking place and the odors being created, once the cover on the tank is removed. The health issues are not to be taken lightly as the septic tank inspection is potentially dangerous, and certainly unhealthy and very unpleasant, unless one has the proper protective gear.

A home inspector, who is looking at hundreds of issues at each home, does not have the time to also run hundreds of gallons of water and run dye tests, a complete process often done by specialists as they look for signs of leaks in the system or around the tank.

It is noted that, the home inspector WILL, as is possible, assess the plumbing in the home, including checking for adequate water flow and functionality. Also, he or she will check the drainage at sinks, tubs and toilets. Toilet tanks, or faucets, that run constantly and will not shutoff are pointed out as deficiencies that can lead to overloading the septic system.
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Not only do hazards in a home or on a property present health and safety risks, but they can also slow down a sale considerably. Nothing is worse than getting to a certain point in a real estate transaction, only to have the buyer discover a potential hazard. This is why full disclosure of every aspect of the property, right from the start, is the best course of action. If possible, problems should be brought to the Realtor's attention even before the home goes up for sale. But what about when even the current homeowner doesn't know about the hazards? That's why a smart agent will do a bit of preliminary research.

Oftentimes, things that are considered potential hazards today weren't even given a second thought twenty, or even a few, years ago. That's why many homeowners don't consider them important to mention. Let's take for example buried oil tanks. Under current law, buried tanks must be removed, along with any soil contaminated with leaked contents. If the tank hasn't been used in years, it is possible that the current homeowner doesn't even realize it is there. In the past, the appropriate measure to deal with these was to drain them and fill them with cement. So there may be filled tanks on a property, and depending on their location and condition, they may be able to be left and still considered safe.

If the tanks are not filled, they could be a contamination risk. Removing the tanks is expensive enough, but if they are leaking, the costs will rise exponentially. It is recommended that this be done before the home even goes up for sale, since it is guaranteed to come up during an inspection anyway. Cleaning it up beforehand avoids costly stalls in the sale.

There are quite a few other hazards that are better known about before going into a sale. Asbestos, for example, can be in insulation, tiles, and even some plaster in a home. While it can be perfectly safe when in a sealed location, if a new buyer is planning a renovation, it is of utmost importance that they know what might be lurking within the walls. Again, it is best to deal with these issues before, rather than in the middle of, a sale. If it is decided that asbestos removal is necessary, please contact a professional.

Radon is another hazard that is getting more attention lately. Linked to lung cancer, it is a gas emitted from the ground as natural deposits of uranium mineral decompose. It can build up in poorly ventilated basements, posing significant, yet invisible, health risks to a home's occupants. Yet it isn't hard to remedy, as sealing leaks in basement concrete and providing adequate ventilation can greatly reduce the amount of radon present, consequently reducing the health risk.

Lead paint is another common hazard, and again, it is easy to remedy by simply being sure that all paint is fresh and not peeling. If new owners are planning a renovation, they should take safety precautions to avoid inhaling lead dust. It is expected that any home older than the early 1980s contains some lead paint.

Finally, mold is another common hazard. Mold grows when humidity levels are too high, usually because of leaks either in the roof, foundation or broken pipes. Mold can also grow in humid climates if a home, or a room in a home, has not been kept warm enough to keep it dry. Mold can cause fairly serious health problems, so every effort should be made to prevent its growth. If mold damage is significant, parts of the home may need to be removed and replaced.

It isn't usually a homeowners fault if there are potential hazards on their property, but it is there responsibility. While removing or repairing hazards can be quite costly, the need to do so is inevitable. The chances of a profitable and fast home sale are far greater when the job has already been done. Otherwise, the value of the home is seriously compromised.
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You want to have good walls; you want to have good floors. You want an interior that reflects a positive nature and gives you a sense of calm. The indoor, the floors and the walls are, after all, what you will see the most of. But they aren't the only things that need taken care of. You need to pay attention to the exterior, too, particularly the exterior you see the least. Protecting your roof, chimney and gutters will guarantee you have a home that is stable from the top down.

Begin with your roof. It takes up nearly half of your home's exterior and acts as a shield for the rest of the house. Without it you would have an extremely damaged and unlivable interior and crumbling, abused exterior walls. So, monitor its condition regularly. Inspect the shingles and flashings every few years, replacing them as needed. If your shingles are strong, your flashing should be, too. Flashing is the point where roof surface, walls and chimney meet, so obviously it's vital that it remain in good condition. Every 20 years, or following a particularly harsh season, you may want to replace the roof entirely. This is a large chore, however, so don't do it unnecessarily. If you replace the shingles as they are damaged, do the same with the flashing and keep your attic well ventilated to avoid excess heat and moisture, you should be fine for a few decades at a time.

Once you have the roof secure, move on to the gutters. As annoying as the task may seem, you have to keep them clean. There should not be, under any circumstances, an excess amount of leaves or debris in your gutters. This will cause water to back up, which can cause leaks, which can destroy your house. Therefore climb the ladder and clean your gutters - once in late autumn, when the leaves have finished falling, and once in the spring to get rid of leaf buds and seedpods.

If you have a lot of difficulty keeping the gutters clean, try a blowevac. Many come with gutter attachments and clean gutters easily, if the gutter can be reached. Additionally, a gutter protection system could keep maintenance to a minimum and turn your bi-annual chore into a quick and easy task. There are a number on the market that are definitely worth investing in.

Finally, with a sturdy roof and clean gutters, turn to your chimney. A decrepit chimney could send bricks tumbling, injuring a passerby. A clogged chimney could ruin your first winter fire, sending smoke tumbling through your home, clouding the atmosphere and leaving a lingering smell for days to come.

For the chimney, hire outside help. Get someone to come in and inspect and sweep the chimney, at least once a year if you use it regularly. Make sure the chimney sweep looks for cracks, flue problems and anything else that could go wrong, like a family of squirrels setting up their nest in the top. Be sure all repairs are done properly and with great care. Afterward, take over responsibility for the chimney. Keep the damper shut when it's not in use, clean it regularly to avoid unintentional fires and consider a chimney cap to keep out those pesky rodents and birds. If you do all this, your chimney should stay standing and working properly for some time to come.

And if you pay attention to all three aspects of your homes exterior - the roof, the gutters and the chimney - you should be able to sleep easy at night, knowing that overhead is a structure that won't let you down and won't come down on you.