Outer Banks Long Term Rental Recommended Septic System Maintenance
90% of the homes in Dare County are served by septic systems. If you can’t remember the last time you had your septic tank pumped, it’s probably time to have it done!
It is recommended you have your septic tank pumped every 4 to 6 years if your home is used 12 months of the year or full-time occupancy.
It is also important to keep the vegetation cut down over your drain field area to avoid it being strangled by roots from grasses, trees, and shrubs.
Septic systems installed within the past 18 years may have a filter installed between the tank and the grease trap that must be cleaned yearly to avoid clogging. Annual cleaning of the filter for your septic system typically runs about $125.00. It’s best to work with a company who will go ahead and schedule this for you annually, so your tenant does not experience a stinky backup!
Failure to maintain your septic system will cause failure of your drain field.
Failure is typically found by the Vendor who pumps the tank who can determine if the field is draining properly or not. If it is determined that the field is failing, you must apply to the Dare County Health Department for a Septic Evaluation and pay $75 for them to send someone to your home to check things out. They will then require additional paperwork to be filled out and you must pay $75 for a permit to repair. OBX HOUSING or our septic vendors can complete this paperwork for you and deliver it to the Health Department.
The permit can then be provided to any of the local septic system installers (who are insured) to bid. Depending on the age of your tank, the health department may recommend replacing it as well. Replacement of the drain field ranges (depending on the number of bedrooms and occupants) anywhere from $1500 to $3000. Meanwhile, your tank will fill again quickly if your home is occupied and may need to be pumped weekly while you await the repair.
As you can see, it pays to keep your system functioning by having your tank pumped to avoid replacement!
OBX HOUSING has seen that the average invoice for pumping the septic tank is generally $300 for a standard pumping. No permit is required, and we’ll be happy to schedule this for you right away, just give OBX Housing a call at 252-255-0117.