What do you do when your septic tank becomes full and causes a nasty backup, but you can't locate your tank? This situation is quite common, especially if you buy a poorly maintained home.
Here are simple approaches you can use to discover your septic tank's location.
Follow the Sewer Pipes
Your sewer pipes can be a good place to start. Remember, all sewer pipes drain into the septic tank, so you are sure to locate the tank if you follow these pipes. To begin your search, move to your crawlspace or basement. You'll likely find a labelled sewer outlet pipe that leaves your house and goes right to your septic tank.
If you have non-labelled pipes, try to find the largest metal line that exits your home. Follow the direction of the pipe across your yard until you find the septic tank. Most septic tanks are often located at least 10 feet from the house. So, use a soil probe, and you will locate your septic tank in no time.
Inspect Your Yard
Locating a septic tank is not always easy, especially if you have a bigger property. Clues of your septic tank's location can disappear once vegetation grows in your yard. That notwithstanding, landscape imperfections (like a mound or dip in your yard) are good indicators of a buried septic tank.
A septic tank cover often sits slightly below the ground level. So, as you probe deep into the ground with a thin metal rod, look out for hard surfaces like fibreglass or concrete.
But places your septic tank is unlikely to be, include:
- Near your water well
- Under paved surfaces (driveway, sidewalks, patio)
So, don't concentrate your search on any of these areas. Also, check for sections in your yard where the grass seems greener. Or, (for improperly buried tanks), you can find a bald patch where grass struggles to grow — that's likely where your septic tank lid is.
Check County Records
Since septic tank installations require permits, the chances are that your builder obtained a legal permit to install a septic tank on your property. Thankfully, the local county records have a comprehensive plan with diagrams, size, dimensions, and the exact location of your septic tank.
Although your property records may not be readily available for older homes, counties retain original records of all constructions, which include a septic tank map. Also, look through your home's inspection report to see if it contains details of your septic system.
Once you find your septic tank, mark it so you can always spot it easily. A potted plant or garden decor will do the trick. This way, you will save time when you want to check for any issues with your tank. If you want help with locating your septic tank, reach out to a local septic tank service for help.
If you have recently moved to a property which uses a septic tank, you may be finding the transition from mains sewerage difficult. There are so many things you need to know when using a septic tank. How often does the tank need to be cleaned? How do I stop the tank from becoming blocked? How can I best maintain the septic tank? This blog aims to answer some of these questions. I'm no expert but I have been using a septic tank for the past 4 years. During that time, I have learnt lots of cool things about the equipment.