Home Buyer Septic Inspection: What to Ask For Before You Close

If the house you are buying has a septic system, have it inspected during your due-diligence period, before closing. The EPA's homebuyer guide recommends asking the seller for the system's records and having it inspected before you buy (EPA).

Before the inspection

• Ask the county health department for the septic permit and as-built drawing. These show the tank size, the system type and where the field is.
• Ask the seller for pumping and repair records.
• Find out how many bedrooms the permit allows. It should match the bedrooms being sold.

What a thorough inspection covers

1. Locating and opening the tank, ideally with it pumped so the walls and baffles can be seen
2. Inlet and outlet baffles and the effluent filter
3. Signs of past backup, high liquid levels, or roots
4. Pumps, floats and alarms on pump systems
5. A walk of the drain field for wet spots, odors or erosion
6. A written report with photos

Finding an inspector

North Carolina certifies point-of-sale septic inspectors. Look for listings marked Point-of-Sale Inspector in our septic inspection directory. In other states, use a licensed septic contractor who does real-estate inspections.

Want a printable list to take along? The Home Buyer Septic Checklist is coming soon.

Updated November 2026. Prices are national estimates from the sources linked above, not quotes.