Q: Marsha, I’m purchasing a home that is on a septic system rather than the public sewer. My home inspector strongly suggests I pay for a septic tank inspection. How do septic systems work? A: Your ...

If your home isn’t hooked up to a municipal sewer system, your alternative is a septic system, which includes a container buried underground on your property that holds and treats the water and waste ...

Septic systems, which allow landowners to build homes without sewer connections, are a crucial feat of engineering for more remote communities in the Lowcountry. They can also backfire. Septic tanks ...

Do you wonder how septic systems work? I never gave it much thought in all the years I lived in Cincinnati. Every house I lived in was connected to a municipal sewer line. Just about every house I ...

Nathan, Heath, and Mauro babyproof a home; Richard explains how septic systems work. Nathan Gilbert, Heath Eastman, and Mauro Henrique help a homeowner babyproof her house by testing for lead, testing ...

Septic tanks don't require a lot of maintenance as long as you avoid flushing harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable items down the drain or toilet. However, you do need to ensure you are pumping the ...

It’s easy to forget about the important, behind-the-scenes systems that keep your home in working order, and the most unsung hero of them all may be your septic system. You may be inclined to lose ...

Timothy has written about personal finance, including detailed home renovation and repair cost guides, since 2017. His work covers everything from plumbing and roofing to solar and pest control. Find ...

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date that the Wicomico County Health Department's septic system program was appraised. While the Maryland Department of the ...