You’ve found your dream home. Whether you’ve been searching for months or just for a few days, you knew it when you saw it: It has everything on your must-have list and you can picture yourself living there in no time.
That’s great. However, along with routine inspections and assessments, there are other things that you, as a potential homebuyer, should become familiar with: water systems and their quality. Water is critical to the daily functioning of a home. From eating and drinking to bathing and cleaning, water provides many central functions. Below are a few systems to pay attention to, steps you should take as a potential buyer and questions you should ask prior to making anything official.
Well Water Systems and Septic Tanks
Well water is the standard for homes in the country, or those unable to connect to city water for any reason. Because wells pull from water underground, many individuals prefer their more natural and off-the-grid offerings – plus it doesn’t hurt to be able to avoid monthly water bills.
There are also disadvantages to running a home on well water. If the well is not maintained, homeowners may be subjected to polluted water. Maintenance includes regular testing; visual checks of the pump, pressure tank and water softener; and sometimes chemicals to balance the water.
Additionally, septic tanks, necessary when the home cannot connect to a sewer, generally accompany well-water systems and require pumping on a regular basis to prevent catastrophic results. Well water is natural and without cost – for the water itself – but this doesn’t mean it offers a hands-off option.
City Water and Sewer Systems
For many buyers, a city water system is preferable to well water. Because the water system is maintained by the local municipality, if a problem arises, the homeowner is generally not held responsible. This makes the monthly water cost more acceptable in many cases.
Another benefit of city water is that the systems are meant to be shared; this means they are better equipped to handle storms and periods of heavy precipitation which could overwhelm a private well and septic system. City water offers a nearly carefree state of living – at least where water is concerned – for new homebuyers once initial testing is complete. While city water does not raise or lower a home’s resale value, it may make the selling process faster in the future, appealing to buyers looking to avoid the costs associated with well-water maintenance.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
While many homebuyers don’t consider the impact of a heating pump on water quality, it’s important to learn about a home’s setup. Geothermal heat pumps are designed to tap into the Earth’s surface to pull from the energy and consistent heat found there. In many cases, ponds and well-water systems serve as bases for these pumps. These pumps are designed to save costs over the long term, often are accompanied by maintenance plans to prevent problems and offer a high level of efficiency.
Questions to Ask Prior to Making a Purchase
It’s important to be as informed as possible during the home purchasing process. Part of this means asking questions. In most cases, your Realtor will be able to relay any questions you may have to the current owner, so that you are not responsible for reaching out on your own. It is best to request answers in writing should a problem occur after the purchase.
Questions to ask include:
· When was the last time the well was serviced? When was the last time the septic tank was pumped? Do some research on this. If this seems like awhile ago, it’s reasonable to request that these be performed prior to the purchase.
· Have you had trouble with water quality? Please explain.
· Does your yard drain effectively after storms? If it does not, this could indicate a problem with water quality.
· Does your well require any chemical maintenance or water softeners to maintain balance?
· Is a backup system in place for water if the electricity goes out? In most situations, when a home on well water loses power, it loses access to water. This is something important to be aware of.
· Have there been talks of moving to city water? If a home is currently on a well, this is critical as the switch from well water to city water can cost thousands of dollars for homeowners.
· What is your average monthly water bill? This is something to prepare for if you’re looking at a home on city water.
· Has the water quality been tested in the past three months?
Testing Water Quality Prior to Finalizing the Purchase
After you receive answers to your questions, it’s important that you perform an independent water quality audit. Testing your water prior to making a purchase ensures that its quality is suitable for drinking and all other uses and determines the effectiveness of any treatment plans or systems that are currently in place. This will give you an idea of what next steps may be necessary and will help in deciding whether the purchase is right for you at this time.
Being proactive is a critical part of the home purchasing process. As a homebuyer, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with various water systems and how they affect the operation of a home, and that you are prepared for any situations that may arise. Understanding the system that’s in place for your desired home, asking the right questions and performing a water quality test will help ensure that you’re making the right purchase for your situation. Don’t forget about these important steps.
