There's a local spec type subdivision that was built by a builder who assumed that the current regulations he had operated on in the past were in effect. So, that's what he put it. Without getting a permit from the health department. That had changed regulations regarding the perc requirements. Now the homes didn't have lots large enough for the leach fields required and the builder had gone bankrupt without installing the new mound system that was required. So the people who had paid him for their houses couldn't occupy them unless they paid for the mound system themselves. Only a few did, and more joined the list of creditors against the builder hoping to recuperate their money. And the bank owns a bunch of homes that can't be occupied or are half built.

That is a "septic situation". And if yours is anything like that, RUN.

Okay so I dug around online and I found a legal document issued by the county, something certifying that there is an on site sewage system and it listed the responsibilities of the owner. So it looks like there is indeed a septic system, leaving me to wonder what the "situation" could possible be.

I will go to the county office in person if I don't get a response soon. The guy's hours are 7:30am-9:30, so kind of a hassle.

Here's the photo of the black tube. It is coming out of the garage foundation/ crawl space and it goes around to the rear of the house and back a ways into the woods. Just wondering what this mystery tube is. Anyone know? That's my black rain boot at the bottom, trying to give it some scale as the tubing isn't very big.

This post was edited by olivesmom on Tue, Jan 8, 13 at 20:07

In our new build our GC stated septic goes in "closer to the end". It definitely sounds sketchy, but I'd probably be even more worried about a structure that has been vacant for 6 years. And who knows what corners were cut when it was built...

We had ours put in just recently and our house is only needing some finishing touches on the interior before it is done. hope that helps some.

When we were building, we found that almost the only way to get answers from anyone in the building dept was to show up when they had office hours. They were always pleasant and helpful to my husband and weren't trying to avoid anyone. They just always had people coming in when they were there (so no phone calls returned), and the rest of the time they were out doing inspections.

Anne

That black hose is certainly not the drain to the septic system. Really curious what it is since it is so small.

I would recommend hiring a soil scientist as a consultant and have them deal with the health department. I bought some raw land and there wound up being a "septic situation". It delayed things but the $400 I spent for the consulting was the only thing that got me past the health department.

Could it be as simple as not being inspected for 5 years and so no one know if it still works? I seem to recall that our system needs to be "fed" and in 5 years it would have needed repair.

In our case, they do it late as possible/feasible because the field is sensitive and you don't want any subs ruining it. But you can do it almost anytime.

Could the black hose be a drainage hose from the garage? Our garage has two drains for snow and such. Our builder didn't use a hose. He used pipe of some type. The pipe is now buried, but it goes off into our side yard, away from the house.

You also mention a crawl space. Perhaps a cheap solution for a sump pump drain?

Why don't you or your agent ask the listing agent what the "septic situation" is? If it's in the listing information there must be some knowledge about a "situation." Even if the knowledge is "we don't know if it works" that's something.

As David mentioned I'm now thinking the situation is fact that the septic system hasn't been used in six years, there's only one toilet hooked up, no faucets Installed, and the county requires a septic certification when a property is sold.

In 2007 the county issued a septic certification, so I can't imagine that there would be some major issue now. Who know though, I need to get In contact with the county guy. I don't have time to show up in person until Monday, hopefully he'll call me back before then.

No way would I mess with that. We live in an area where people have grown accustomed to walking away from their responsibilities. Not only do they walk away, they tend to know the tower down before they do, so to speak.

One story is that of cement flushed in the toilet... I wonder if that would create a septic "situation"? :/

Septic systems can be installed anytime, but the leach field can be sensitive to heavy trucks and equipment driving over them, so normally the site work may be done toward the end of construction.

As others have said, the best first step is to check with your local jurisdiction to find out what they say the problem may be. Until then there's no way to know what the situation is.

Good luck with your project.