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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 'We tried to de-escalate it' App Finder: Top tax apps Emergency Services West Medford neighbors welcome program to feed homeless, but want bathrooms added Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Crime, Courts and Emergency Services 'We tried to de-escalate it' Emergency Services Boyfriend gets 20 years for abuse of toddler Pursuit of stolen car in Medford ends with crash, power outage Emergency services, March 19 Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals State News Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Brown proposes $1 billion in California drought spending Are they decorations or desecration? The Dalles Standoff: Suicide by smoke inhalation Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Grants Pass duo tops Crater tourney Thomas pitches North Medford past Henley Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Varsity 541 College Sports Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Early exit for Colorado State at NIT BSU loses heartbreaker Pro Sports Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Cavs pick up 14th straight at home Federer, Nadal, Murray reach quarters Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Three Cheers for Today! Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Letters to the Editor, March 20 Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Editorials Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Columns Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick George Will: Kasich waits in the wings Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Ocean salmon look plentiful off the Southern Oregon coast this year, but next year's a different story (No heading) Wood bison to roam Alaska again Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's five top entertainment picks for the coming week Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system By Richard Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Mar. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Mar. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Reader question: We are interested in a foreclosed country home with a septic tank. Our agent wants us to do the research “on our own” as she knows little about septic systems. There is no seller we can ask about the septic tank. We want to make an offer, but this concerns us because we do not know where to start. What would you do? Martha and Scott H. Monty’s answer: It is no secret that homes with wells and septic systems have different risk exposures when compared with municipal water and waste disposal systems. By following the path outlined below, you will be able to determine and evaluate potential risks and the current health of the home’s septic system. Your agent’s reticence to take on this learning experience is a bit puzzling. But there is solace with an agent understanding the limits of their practice knowledge, and admitting to it. It also could be a subtle signal that septic system issues in the area can be problematic. Here is what I would do: Septic system inspections 1. Identify septic tank pumpers that service the area. You are seeking a pumping record. Keep calling until you identify the service provider. Market forces usually limit the number of companies offering pumping services to a handful, so you should not have many calls. Proximity to the home will dictate the order of the calls. Drop by a close neighbor’s home and ask (or leave a note) if they observed the pumper truck next door. It is also possible the owner never pumped the tank. There is a variety of reasons owners will neglect a septic system. 2. Call the county health department to be directed to the department that handles private waste disposal systems. If the home is less than 60 years old, a permit may have been required and still be on file. Septic permits often state the size of the home and number of bedrooms. This information determines the size of the drain (leach) field and often includes a diagram locating the house, the tank, and the drain field. If builder is on the permit and can be found, they may remember the installer, who may also have a record. This office will also be the source of good information about the code, code violations or potential septic tank problems in the neighborhood. 1. Identify septic system inspectors through the two sources above. Some states require a separate license and most home inspectors do not inspect septic systems. Call several of these inspection companies to learn about their services and exactly what they do during a septic system inspection. Pumping the tank before the inspection takes place is critical. Two questions to ask are: Do you physically go inside the septic tank? And, If, during the course of the inspection they become suspicious about the remaining life of the drain field, do they physically inspect it? Critical information Even if the sewer system passes inspection and testing, there is still critical information to consider. The more information you can gather about a home’s system, the better your evaluation will be. Lifestyle example: It is discovered only two people lived there and system performed well. New owners have four teenagers and system fails within six months. A failing system was underutilized. Alternate sites: New homes constructed in some states require a primary and alternate drain fields site in order to be eligible for a septic tank. If the system fails at a used home site and no alternate site is suitable, you may be forced to install a mound or holding tank system. Make certain you know the county’s position on alternate sanitary waste disposal sites. The pumping plan How often a septic system is pumped out can vary widely depending on the type of an installed system. For example, a ground level septic tank with a drain field may be pumped every 2-4 years versus a holding tank with no drain field being pumped twice a month. In addition to the type of system here are other considerations that affect the pumping requirements of your system: - Number of occupants - Size of tank - General water use - A garbage disposal Before adding chemical products or solvents advertised as additives to maintain a healthy septic system, check with your local water conservation office or their website for confirmation. A system that doesn’t receive the proper attention and maintenance can suffer a shortened life and become a financial strain. Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. Send him questions at DearMonty.com. 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