- Is a septic system inspection required before purchasing a home?
- If the county wants me to hook up to central sewer do I have to?
Answers
Is a septic system inspection required before purchasing a home?
There is no state law requiring septic system inspections before a home is sold;
however, many counties require inspections.
Even if not required in your area, you should hire a certified inspector to locate and thoroughly inspect the septic system before you purchase a home.
At a minimum, this inspection should include:
- Locating the septic tank, distribution box, and soil absorption field trenches.
- Cleaning the septic tank and inspecting for cracks or leaks by a septic system professional.
- Making sure that the distribution box is level.
- Ensuring that the soil above the absorption field is not soggy or does not have a foul odor.
Your health department should have a list of local septic system professionals. Health departments may also have records of the system's original design and installation, as well as any repairs. To find your health department, visit www.in.gov/isdh/links/local_dep/index.htm.
If the county wants me to hook up to central sewer do I have to?
The county has the option to force you to hook up to a sewer if the sewer line is within an established minimum distance.
Care and Maintenance | Building a New System or Making Repairs |
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