Septic Systems
Septic is normal up here
If you’ve only ever lived on city sewer, the word “septic” can make you nervous. It shouldn’t. Most mountain homes have one, and a healthy system pretty much takes care of itself.
What matters is that it’s permitted, working and inspected before you close.
What the inspection looks at
In Clear Creek and Gilpin County, the seller has the system inspected so the county can issue a Septic Use Permit to you at closing. A good inspection looks at:
- the tank
- the leach field
- the lines between the house and the tank, which often get overlooked
I also want to know when it was last pumped, how old it is, and whether it’s sized for the number of bedrooms.
Why age matters
Replacing a failed system can cost $20,000 to $50,000. A 50-year-old system might pass inspection just fine, but you’ll want to plan for replacement down the road. No surprises.
Taking care of it
- Pump it every 2 to 4 years, depending on how many people live there.
- Don’t overload it. A system designed for four people isn’t built for ten full-time.
- Go easy on the garbage disposal. No grease or oils down the drain.
That’s about it.
Don’t want septic at all?
Downtown Idaho Springs, Black Hawk and Central City, and parts of St. Mary’s, are on public sewer.
Who I call
These are people I’d send my own clients to.
| Who | What they do | Contact | Where they work |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Platte Services (formerly Shirley Septic) | Pumping, inspections, maintenance, repairs and installs | (303) 838-6033 · shirleyseptic.com | Evergreen, Conifer, Pine, Bailey, Morrison, Park County and Clear Creek County |
| Mountain Contracting LLC (Matt Tarpill) | Septic and sewer line installs, repairs and maintenance | (303) 888-3580 | Black Hawk, Rollinsville, Idaho Springs, Nederland, Lyons, Boulder and parts of the Denver metro |
| Colorado Septic (Bob Broadwell, Nederland) | Inspections, pumping, cleaning, repairs and maintenance | (720) 514-9703 · coseptic.com | Nederland and the Boulder County mountains |