Buying a Home with a Well and Septic Near Fenton? 7 Things to Check First

A lot of the homes I show around Fenton don't hook up to city water or sewer. They have their own well and septic system. If you've only ever lived in town, that can feel a little intimidating.

It doesn't have to be. You just need to know what to look at, because the regular home inspection usually doesn't cover these systems in depth.

Why this matters more than you'd think

Your well is your water supply, and your septic system is your sewer. If either one fails, the fix isn't a weekend project. A new drain field or a new well can cost as much as a kitchen remodel. The good news is that most problems can be found before you buy, as long as you ask.

7 things to check before you close

1. Get a separate well and septic inspection.
A standard home inspector looks at the house. A well and septic inspection looks at the systems underground. Book it during your inspection period so you still have options if something comes up.

2. Test the water.
Ask for a water test that covers at least bacteria and nitrates. Your inspector or the county health department can tell you what else makes sense to test for in that area.

3. Check the well's flow and pressure.
A well can pass a water test and still not keep up with a family of five doing laundry. Flow and pressure testing tells you if it can.

4. Find the septic tank and know its age.
Ask the sellers when it was last pumped and if they have records. Older systems aren't automatically bad, but you'll want to know what you're working with.

5. Look at the drain field.
Soggy spots, strong odors, or extra-green grass over the field can be warning signs. Also make sure nobody's built a shed, driveway or pool on top of it.

6. Pull the county records.
The county health department often has permits for the original well and septic. Those records can show the system's size and when it was installed.

7. Know your county's rules.
Some Michigan counties require a well and septic evaluation when a home is sold, and some don't. Since the Fenton area sits where Genesee, Livingston and Oakland counties meet, check with that county's health department so you know what's required for the home you're buying.

Get the full checklist

My Acreage Home Inspection Checklist walks through the well, septic and barn checks to make before you buy, in plain English, with nothing you need a contractor to translate.

👉 Get the free checklist

Buying a home with land is one of my favorite things to help with. If you're starting to look, book a quick call and we'll talk through what to look for.

— Chance Crozier, REALTOR® · eXp Realty · Fenton, MI