Pros and Cons of Owning a Home with a Septic System in Boise, ID

One thing about the Boise, Idaho area is that we see a lot of turnover in homeownership, especially in recent years! The Treasure Valley is a wonderful place to live, and we love to see so many people appreciating the beauty of the Gem State. One aspect that a lot of newer homeowners may not have experienced before is purchasing and owning a home that runs on a septic system rather than on a city sewer system. This is more common in rural areas, including a decent part of Idaho. At ASAP Septic, we use our years of experience and our expert knowledge to serve our friends and neighbors with all things related to septic systems. 


One service we offer is the real estate septic inspection. We recommend that everyone considering purchasing a home with a septic system utilize this service; improperly maintained septic tanks can cause expensive issues and can even pose a serious health hazard because of the biohazardous waste involved. Ensuring that the septic system for your home-to-be is in tip-top condition is a priority. 


During our decades of service, we’ve worked with a lot of different clients, and we understand that some feel a little intimidated by the idea of owning a home with a septic system rather than relying on a municipal sewage system. A lot of this fear comes from a lack of education; of course most people aren’t experts on septic systems, and that’s where our qualified experts come in. Today, we’ll be sharing the pros and cons of owning a home with a septic system, and we hope this blog post helps you feel better informed for making the best decision for your family and home. 


Advantages of a Septic System 

  1. Septic comes out to be cheaper than being hooked up to a municipal water and sewer system. Many homes with a septic system do not rely on city services for water services, which means there is no need to pay monthly fees to the local government for your water needs. These monthly fees change with inflation and can be difficult to predict, which can pose a challenge when it comes to budgeting. Septic is serviced on your own timeline, and typically only needs to be pumped every 2-5 years, depending on the amount of wastewater your household produces. 


  1. Septic systems last decades when properly maintained. When a septic system is well-maintained, tanks only need to be replaced every 25-50 years. On average, an American family spends eight years in a home, so there is a high chance that the lifespan of your septic length will outlast the time you spend in your home. One way to make sure you don’t need to replace a tank early is to get your tank pumped regularly and making sure problems are addressed as they arise, as septic repairs are often easier to fix early on. Annual inspections can also serve to ensure that everything is in working order, and help you be proactive in avoiding major issues. Like many things, minor maintenance of your septic system can go a long way and save you from costly issues in the long run. 


Disadvantages of a Septic System 

  1. Additional caution is required when flushing things down your drain. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to avoid flushing anything but human waste and toilet paper down your drains and toilets regardless of whether you’re on a sewer line or septic system. However, septic systems rely on a microbial ecosystem within the septic tank, which can be disrupted if anything too harsh is flushed down a drain. Clorox wipes, bleach, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and large quantities of antibacterial products can disrupt the ecosystem and cause major issues, which can lead to nasty odors and expensive repairs. 


  1. High-water usage tasks should be spaced out. Septic tanks rely on water seeping back into the ground after settling in the septic tank, which takes time. Taking on a lot of high-water usage tasks on the same day or too close together can overwhelm your septic system, which can lead to drains backing up. Plan ahead and space out kids’ baths and laundry, perhaps on alternate days to prevent problems. Many people aren’t used to planning out their water usage, but it’s well worth the effort! 


At ASAP Septic, we love helping our clients in Boise, Mountain Home, Payette, Middleton, ID, and all surrounding areas understand and properly maintain their septic systems. Give us a call at (208) 991-7184 or fill out our online contact form for more information today.

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