Septic Tank Inspection

If you are buying a home with a septic tank, you should consider having it inspected by a professional septic contractor. Our standard home inspection does not include this type of specialized, intrusive inspection. To properly inspect the system, the contractor will need to dig holes to access the underground parts of the system. This will include inspecting the tank, as well as the leach field.

Begining Jan. 1st, 2009 all residents of West Milford, NJ are mandated by a local ordinance to have their septic systems pumped every three years or face a fine of as much as $1,000 a day. The Highlands Act's regulations are designed to protect the watershed and serve as the blueprint for conservation and development in the Highlands region. The ordinace can be found int the municipalitiy's Web site, www.westmilford.org. A NJ State Law is not far behind.

It makes good sense to have the tank pumped at the time of this inspection. A professional septic contractor can perform both the inspection and pump the tank, killing two birds with one stone and assuring that you begin with an empty tank and a system that has been inspected. Often, you can negotiate with the seller to have them pay for the pumping.