Follow the pipe by sticking a thin metal probe (known as a soil probe) into the ground near the sewer line. Probe about every two feet. Most septic tanks are around 10-25 feet away from your home, and cannot be closer than five feet.
- One of the best ways to pinpoint exactly where the septic tank is on your property is to perform a records search. If you still have a copy of your original home inspection, there may be an attached document called the “as-built.” This diagram will show exactly how far from the house the septic tank was installed.
Are septic tank locations public record?
Contact your local health department for public records. These permits should come with a diagram of the location where the septic system is buried. Depending on the age of your septic system, you may be able to find information regarding the location of your septic system by making a public records request.
How do I tell how old my septic tank is?
If you cannot find the septic system and know nothing about it or its history, start by checking the age of the building and its plumbing system with the premise that for most sites the septic tank and fields won’t be older than those.
How do I find out if my septic tank is registered?
Check if your septic tank is already registered You can check if your tank has already been registered by contacting your environmental regulator. If you are unsure then it is best to check and avoid making an unnecessary payment. The NIEA and SEPA have records of all registered septic tanks.
How long does a septic tank usually last?
Because it is expensive to replace a septic system, proper maintenance is important. The more proactive you are in maintaining your system, the longer it will last. In fact, septic tanks can last as long as 30 years or more.
How do you find a metal detector with a septic tank?
6 Steps to Locate a Septic Tank
- Find Your Main Sewer Drain Line. Sewage from your toilets, sinks, and showers collects into a main drain line.
- Check Permits and Public Records.
- Determine Septic Tank Material.
- Time to Dig.
- Mark the Location for Future Maintenance.
How long can a septic tank go without being pumped?
You can wait up to 10 years to drain your tank provided that you live alone and do not use the septic system often. You may feel like you can pump your septic tank waste less frequently to save money, but it’ll be difficult for you to know if the tank is working properly.
Do old septic tanks need to be registered?
Many homes are not connected to mains drainage, instead having sewage treatment systems or septic tanks or occasionally cesspools. If your sewage treatment system or septic tank discharges to a river or stream it must be registered immediately.
What will ruin a septic system?
Any paper products like tissues, paper towels, tampons, or sanitary products, even some heavier toilet paper, will clog your system if you flush enough of it. Wet wipes are another product that you should never flush into a septic system.
Are septic tanks still legal?
Septic Tanks Explained… Septic tanks cannot discharge to surface water drains, rivers, canals, ditches, streams or any other type of waterway. you are required to upgrade or replace your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 2020, or when you sell a property, if it’s prior to this date.
What are the new rules on septic tanks?
According to new regulations passed in 2015, if your septic tank discharges to surface water such as a ditch, stream, canal or river, you will have to upgrade your system to a sewage treatment plant or install a soakaway system by 1 January 2020.
Can you sell a property with a septic tank?
If you’re selling a property with a septic tank, then you must be transparent with buyers about the fact the property uses a one and provide a detailed specification of the system. In fact, You are required by law to inform a buyer in writing about the presence of a septic tank. The age of the system.
What is the most common cause of septic system failure?
Most septic systems fail because of inappropriate design or poor maintenance. Some soil-based systems (those with a drain field) are installed at sites with inadequate or inappropriate soils, excessive slopes, or high ground water tables.
How much does it cost to pump a septic tank?
How much does it cost to pump out a septic tank? The average cost is $300, but can run up to $500, depending on your location. The tank should be pumped out every three to five years.
Can a septic tank never be pumped?
What Are the Consequences of Not Pumping Your Tank? If the tank is not pumped, the solids will build up in the tank and the holding capacity of the tank will be diminished. Eventually, the solids will reach the pipe that feeds into the drain field, causing a clog. Waste water backing up into the house.
Septic System Age How Old is the Septic Tank, Septic Fields, Septic Piping?
- ASK a question or make a comment regarding the normal life expectancy of septic system components in the comments section.
InspectAPedia does not allow any form of conflict of interest. The sponsors, goods, and services described on this website are not affiliated with us in any way. Determining the age of a septic system This article series discusses the normal life expectancy of septic systems as well as the various components that make up a septic system. For this topic, we also have anARTICLE INDEX available, or you may check the top or bottom of the page. Use the SEARCH BOX to discover the information you’re looking for quickly.
Septic System Age Determination
2018/05/25 Marie-Josée Raymond expressed herself as follows: Occupation of a residence at 3397 Kentucky Lane in Navan, Ontario. I’d want to know how old my septic tank and field are, please. This Q & A about the age of a septic system was first posted at The following is an index of SEPTIC SYSTEMS articles.
Reply:
Marie, Thank you for your outstanding question: how can I establish the age of my septic system, tank, and drainfields? I appreciate your help. While on the job, your septic contractor can examine the following components of your septic system: the septic tank access port, cleanout cover, tank material, pipe material (PVC, cast iron, terra cotta, ORANGEBURG PIPE), and the septic tank itself. septic tanks and lines In addition to the kind of plumbing, the materials used in septic tanks (steel, concrete, plastic, fiberglass, and home-made) provide date information.
- Leaning over (methane asphyxiation) or falling into a septic system both carry the danger of death.
- The life expectancy of a septic tank is mostly determined by the materials used in its construction, but the life expectancy of septic system pipe is largely determined by the likelihood of damage by vehicle traffic, root blockage, or flooding by groundwater.
- If you can’t identify the septic system and don’t know anything about it or its history, the first step is to determine the age of the building and its plumbing system, with the assumption that the septic tank and fields are not much older than the structure and plumbing system.
- If so, look atPLUMBING MATERIALSFIXTURE AGE.
- ORANGEBURG PIPE was originally utilized in Boston in 1865, although it was not employed in septic drain fields until the late 1940s and early 1960s, according to historical records.
- Check with your local building or health department to see whether any plans for your septic system have been submitted in the past, and if so, when.
- It is possible that the septic system drawings submitted as part of a permit procedure will not correctly depict the septic system that was ultimately completed, but you will be within the correct time frame.
- Website: (in French).
- Check see theSEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDUREAtCESSPOOL AGING ESTIMATES for more information on how to check a septic tank, including the tank’s location, size, type, materials, and overall condition.
I have not attempted to replicate the results for typical septic systems, which employ a septic tank and a drainage field. More information about septic system age may be found in these two articles. THE EXPECTANCY OF SEPTIC LIFE THE EXPECTANCY OF SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
Reader CommentsQ A
These nevertheless are made of something like clay and range in size from 12 to 18 inches in section. At the construction phase, they do not like to fit inside of one another; instead they butch up to one another and are covered with tar paper merely at the seams, which is why they are called “tar paper.” @Michelle, The Orangeburg pipe, which was a black perforated pipe that was utilized in septic drain fields, was what I believe you were referring to. Please refer to the app description for further information.
- I’m curious as to what type of drain field makes use of 12 to 18 inch sections of pipe that are kept together with tar paper.
- As an aside, I would want to point out that the size of the septic tank is inadequate by today’s standards, and the Orangeburg pipe that you describe is undoubtedly something that you would presume is no longer in working order.
- Our house was once a cottage that was only sometimes utilized.
- The piping that I can see is Orangeburg, and there is no distribution box; instead, there is a T approximately 6 feet away from the tank.
- It just had two lines, in my opinion, because it was a modest home.
- Given the age and character of the property, what are your thoughts?
- For example, unlike some other items, septic tanks are not often date stamped, and they do not have a product ID code or data tag attached to them.
For example, you could come across plans for the installation of a septic system that have been filed.
What is the best way to determine the age of my septic tank?
If you fall in, you might suffer serious injuries or perhaps death.
The cover for a steel septic tank is generally readily pulled off by excavating slightly past the perimeter of the tank lid when it is in this location.
It is possible that it will need to be emptied and replaced.
As well as this, see WHERE CAN I FIND A SEPTIC TANK?
So far, this is what I’ve discovered.
Is this an entry point for the pump out system?
Is it necessary to add another access point?
There are two bedrooms and a bathroom in this tiny home.
Way You may try posting a photo of the Stone album cover that you were discussing using the head image button and I might be able to offer a more useful response.
It is made of stone with four holes in the centre, and it is entirely by hand.
wayne Lisa See the information provided atSEPTIC OR SEWER CONECTION.
I’d want to know when a house’s septic system and well water were installed.
According to Mark Cramer, a Tampa-based specialist, it all depends.
Best case scenario: fecal waste can be stored for decades in a sewage pit, seepage pit, cesspit, or outhouse due to the fact that it is extremely concentrated in one location with little to no oxygen, bacteria, or dilution.
In order to get more information, go to our article on SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES in theARTICLE INDEX.
Alternatively, it is likely that gravity was used to direct water to the d-box at the specified depth.
Hi: I recently discovered that the distribution box for my septic system is 6 feet below the surface of the ground.
Does this imply that the drain field is also far deeper under the surface than it would be otherwise?
Do you have any clue why the D-box and drain are buried so deep beneath the surface?
Please accept my thanks for your enlightening response; have a wonderful day.
In my opinion, you are possibly not paying attention to the essence of the matter, which is that any system that is that old would be deemed to be at or near the end of its anticipated life in any event, regardless of its age.
When it comes to buried components, I would anticipate your counsel to state that as long as the nature of what’s there is disclosed, you are not making any representations regarding their future utility.
Even if those do not reveal an immediate problem, if a system is tiny and old, and I were advising a buyer, I would advise them to budget for the possibility of having to replace the system in the future.
Very often, you’ll discover that what you’re concerned about is not what your consumer is concerned about at all.
My main worry is that I want to keep the number of residents as low as possible to avoid the septic tank overflowing during the sale of my property with owner financing.
For clarification, I contacted the local health department to see whether I could limit the number of individuals to three, and the response I received was as follows: Septic systems have traditionally been designed to accommodate two persons per bedroom.
What I’m wondering is, do you happen to know what the average size of a septic tank was in 1940?
Thank you so much for your assistance.
Is it possible for water from a strong rain or rising lake water to seep into a storage tank? How well are they protected from groundwater intrusion from the outside?
Question:septic system installation in Newfoundland, Canada lasted 60 years
(15th of May, 2014) Art Mercer recalled his involvement in the construction of a concrete septic tank for his family’s home in Newfoundland, Canada, in 1958 when he was 14 years old. With the help of 8″ pieces of aluminum piping, we dug a septic field behind the house (on rural land). This septic system has been in continuous service since that time (for more than 60 years), and it has never been closed or opened. It will be switched to the local town septic system later this week, by my brother (who was not even born at the time of the conversion).
Reply:
Thank you for informing me about your achievement, Art. In fact, there are several historic septic system drainfields that are still in use today. On a regular basis, I observe that soil qualities are critical to the efficient disposal of wastewater. As an example, in 1998, I dug a septic system that had been installed in 1920 but was still “working,” sustaining the residence of a single elderly inhabitant who had noticed odors surrounding the septic tank and reported them to me. We discovered that there was no drainfield or even a seepage hole where we were looking.
The effluent was disposed away, despite the fact that it had received very rudimentary treatment.
Question: 36 year old septic systems: contractor wants too much to do a repair
22nd of October, 2014) Sherry Lewis shared her experience, saying, “My septic system is 36 years old.” It is made of concrete (if the stand pipes are made of concrete, I assume the tank is as well), it has two tanks (the second is said to be an overflow tank), the soil in my area is mostly sandy (due to the proximity to the ocean), and I have lived in my house for approximately 30 years as the only occupant.
- In addition, I only use the garbage disposal for the tiniest pieces of food that manage to find their way into it, and I don’t put anything else into the system other than water, soap, the tiniest amount of garbage trash, and toilet waste.
- In the past, I phoned them because air was gushing out of my downstairs toilet and a buddy said that this meant danger as well as a full tank of gas.
- The pumper man stated that, partly because of the system’s age, it was probably time to replace it, either completely or at the very least the leach field.
- 2) When I spoke with a contractor about the task, he informed me that a lift station would be required owing to the high level of ground water (8′).
- He recommended the lift station without visiting my home to measure the depth of my present sewage pipe, and I intend to contact him to confirm this rather than assume that they will not accommodate a standard system like the one I already have.
- In the end, the gentleman who came to dig the test hole in order to determine the water level estimated an approximate cost of $7,000 or slightly more if I declared 4 instead of 3 bedrooms.
Because of the lift station, the contractor that will perform the replacement work has quoted a price that is nearly twice as much as the original estimate! That appears to be absurdly expensive! Please, someone assist me! Thank you so much for your assistance.
Reply:
(February 13th, 2015) The following is what Harry Ford said: You should definitely urge the new house owner to get the home’s septic system assessed before purchasing it.
Reply:
We wholeheartedly agree with Harry. See The Home Buyer’s Guide to Sewer and Drainage Systems Additionally, we provide septic system guidance to clients who are selling their house. SEPTIC TESTS FOR HOME SELLER’S GUIDELINES
Question: remove a tree from the septic tank?
Ron Lee asked on April 9, 2015: Would you be willing to remove an ash tree from near a septic tank?
Reply:
Yes An in-depth guide may be found at PLANTSTREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS. Continue reading atSEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY, or choose a topic from the closely-related articles listed below, or see the completeARTICLE INDEX for a comprehensive list of articles. Alternatively, consider the following:
Details about the life expectancy of a septic system
- CESSPOOL AGE ESTIMATES
- SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
- SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS
- SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
- SEPTIC SYSTEM AGE
- SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
- SEPTIC TANK,
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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES:ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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Septic Tank Installation and Pricing
To process and dispose of waste, a septic system has an underground septic tank constructed of plastic, concrete, fiberglass, or other material that is located beneath the earth. Designed to provide a customized wastewater treatment solution for business and residential locations, this system may be installed anywhere. Although it is possible to construct a septic tank on your own, we recommend that you hire a professional to do it owing to the amount of skill and specific equipment required.
Who Needs a Septic Tank?
For the most part, in densely populated areas of the nation, a home’s plumbing system is directly connected to the municipal sewer system. Because municipal sewer lines are not readily available in more rural regions, sewage must be treated in a septic tank. If you’re moving into a newly constructed house or onto land that doesn’t already have a septic tank, you’ll be responsible for putting in a septic system on your own.
How to Prepare for Your Septic Tank Installation
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to make sure your septic tank installation goes as smoothly as possible.
Receive Multiple Estimates
Receiving quotations from licensed septic tank installers and reading reviews about each firm using trustworthy, third-party customer evaluations should be done before any excavation or signing of any paperwork is done. Examine your options for a contractor and make sure they have the appropriate insurance and license, as well as the ability to include critical preparations such as excavation and drain field testing in their quotation.
Test the Soil and Obtain a Permit
For septic systems to function properly, permeable soil surrounding the tank must absorb and naturally handle liquid waste, ensuring that it does not pollute runoff water or seep into the groundwater. The drain or leach field is the name given to this region. Before establishing a septic tank, you are required by law to do a percolation test, sometimes known as a “perc” test. This test indicates that the soil fits the specifications established by the city and the local health agency. In most cases, suitable levels of permeable materials, such as sand or gravel, are necessary in a soil’s composition.
Note: If you wish to install a septic tank on your property, you must first ensure that the ground passes the percolation test.
Plan for Excavation
Excavation of the vast quantity of land required for a septic tank necessitates the use of heavy machinery. If you are presently residing on the property, be careful to account for landscaping fees to repair any damage that may have occurred during the excavation process. Plan the excavation for your new home at a period when it will have the least influence on the construction process if you are constructing a new home. Typically, this occurs before to the paving of roads and walkways, but after the basic structure of the home has been constructed and erected.
The Cost of Installing a Septic Tank
There are a few installation charges and additional expenditures connected with constructing a new septic system, ranging from a percolation test to emptying the septic tank and everything in between.
Percolation Test
A percolation test can range in price from $250 to $1,000, depending on the area of the property and the soil characteristics that are being tested. Ordinarily, specialists will only excavate a small number of holes in the intended leach field region; however, if a land study is required to identify where to excavate, the cost of your test may rise.
Building Permit Application
A permit will be required if you want to install a septic tank on your property. State-by-state variations in permit prices exist, however they are normally priced around $200 and must be renewed every few years on average.
Excavation and Installation
When you have passed a percolation test and obtained a building permit, your septic tank is ready to be professionally placed.
The cost of a new septic system is determined by the size of your home, the kind of system you choose, and the material used in your septic tank. The following is a list of the many treatment methods and storage tanks that are now available, as well as the normal pricing associated with each.
Types of Septic Tank Systems
Septic system that is used in the traditional sense Traditionally, a septic system relies on gravity to transport waste from the home into the septic tank. Solid trash settles at the bottom of the sewage treatment plant, while liquid sewage rises to the top. Whenever the amount of liquid sewage increases over the outflow pipe, the liquid waste is discharged into the drain field, where it continues to disintegrate. This type of traditional septic system is generally the most economical, with an average cost of roughly $3,000 on the market today.
Drain fields for alternative systems require less land than conventional systems and discharge cleaner effluent.
Septic system that has been engineered A poorly developed soil or a property placed on an uphill slope need the installation of an engineered septic system, which is the most difficult to install.
It is necessary to pump the liquid waste onto a leach field, rather than depending on gravity to drain it, in order to ensure that it is equally dispersed across the land.
Types of Septic Tanks
- Concrete septic tanks are long-lasting and rust-proof, but they are difficult to repair if they are damaged. It is possible that concrete tanks will cost up to $2,000 depending on their size. Plastic —While plastic tanks are cost-effective, they are also susceptible to damage. They are around $1,200 in price. Fiberglass —While fiberglass septic tanks are more durable than their plastic counterparts, they are susceptible to shifting or displacement if the water table rises to an excessive level. Depending on the model, these tanks may cost up to $2,000
More information may be found at: Septic Warranty Coverage and Costs.
Using Your Septic Tank
It is important to maintain the area around your new septic tank’s drain field and to frequently check your tank using the lids included with it. Never use a trash disposal in conjunction with your septic tank since it might cause the system to clog. Additionally, avoid driving over the land where your septic tank is located or putting heavy gear on top of your septic tank or drain field to prevent damage. Most of the time, after five years of septic system use, you’ll need to arrange a cleaning and pumping of the system.
Send an email to our Reviews Team [email protected] if you have any comments or questions regarding this post.
Everything You Need to Know About Septic Tank Installation
Move out from the city and start living your life the way you want. Peace and quiet in a tight-knit neighborhood with only a few neighbors you can rely on while taking advantage of the fresh air and large open areas. That is rural life, and with the “good life” comes the opportunity to experiment with new ways of doing things on a regular basis. It is probable that you will not have access to sewers that are provided to city people by local governments when it comes to your water and sewer requirements.
If you plan to live in the country, you may have to rely on a septic system, so it’s a good idea to educate yourself on septic tank installation before you make the decision to relocate.
Before Buying or Selling a Home, Your Septic System Should be Inspected
The septic tank systems that are connected to your rural house must be inspected on a yearly basis. To safeguard your investment, you must be aware of the current status of your septic tank so that maintenance and repairs may be carried out as soon as possible. A septic tank and leach field installation are not inexpensive endeavors. If you are purchasing or selling a house, you should be aware of the requirement to have a septic tank inspection performed. Buyers never know how the septic tank system has been maintained, so they should exercise caution.
Obtaining a septic tank examination is also required for people who are selling a rural property.
A new septic tank installation will be prohibitively expensive, which will make both buyers and sellers squirm.
Leave Septic Tank Installation to the Pros
Septic tank installation is a sophisticated process that should be left to the professionals. The procedure entails much more than simply digging a hole and burying a tank in the earth, though. The soil type and topography must be suitable for the installation of a septic tank system. The kind of soil and the lay of the land are assessed and modified as needed to get the desired results. According to the specific characteristics of your site, we will design the appropriate materials and installation technique for you.
You will require land area for the following purposes:
- Access hatch, distribution box, drain field, septic tank, and sewer pipe are all included.
Once your septic tank installation is complete, wastewater will be routed through all of the septic system components listed before. The septic tank serves as the command center for the separation of germs, fats, oils, and other substances that have accumulated. The water becomes clearer as it passes through the next components and into the distribution box. In the second step, the soil types will be examined and identified. Excavation of areas of your land by septic tank installation pros is done to determine the soil types and topography of your site.
- Test pits are excavated to learn about the different layers of soil and how water may travel through the various layers of soil that have been discovered.
- With hydraulic loading, you may find out how rapidly water is absorbed into the soil by doing filtration tests.
- It is essential to have adequate ventilation while installing a new septic tank.
- As waste travels through your septic system, harmful fumes will begin to accumulate.
If you do not provide adequate ventilation, this will happen. If you notice any bad odors coming from your septic system, contact a septic tank specialist right once to determine why the ventilation system is not functioning properly.
You will Need to Monitor your Septic Tank System
Those of you who live in rural locations with a septic tank system will have to monitor it on a regular basis, whereas city inhabitants will have less need to care about wastewater and where it goes. Observe the drain field area from all angles. It is never acceptable for the ground to be wet or even moist. Water accumulating on the ground is a telltale indicator that your septic tank system is not draining correctly. In addition, the region surrounding the septic tank should be investigated.
These are either symptoms of excessive water use or the beginnings of a much greater plumbing problem.
Septic Tank Pumping is Crucial for Your New Septic Tank Installation
The cost of a new septic tank installation may be rather expensive, so you will want to be sure that you safeguard your investment by performing regular maintenance. Pumping your septic tank is essential for extending the life of your septic tank. Even if you are extremely conscientious about what goes down the pipes in your house, your septic tank system will require pumping by a professional septic tank business every three to five years. This is due to the fact that sludge will accumulate at the bottom of your septic tank.
A septic tank professional will pump away the majority of the sludge, allowing the system to function properly.
What to Know About Septic Tank Installation Cost
“So, how much does a new septic system cost, exactly?” you might be wondering. That is a difficult issue to answer because there are several elements that influence the cost of a new septic tank installation. In general, you should anticipate to pay between $3,280 and $5,040 for a 1,250-gallon system that can sustain a three- or four-bedroom home with three or four bathrooms. In order to get an approximate price for a septic tank installation with alternating pumps, you need budget roughly $9,571 on average, with costs reaching as high as $15,000.
- Plastic (average cost $830-$1,900) is another option.
- Conventional varieties are the most extensively used and least costly, with typical expenses ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 on average.
- A typical cost is between $12,000 and $15,000 for engineered varieties, with an average cost between $12,000 and $15,000.
- The average cost of system design is $600, depending on the location and complexity of the system.
- Installation and connecting of pipelines and a storage tank Excavation, installation, and backfill costs between $25 and $33 per linear foot.
- Following the installation of your new septic tank, you will incur landscaping expenses.
Septic tank installation should be left to the professionals, and you will benefit from their expert guidance and knowledge in order to establish the most effective and cheap septic tank system that will meet the demands of your family for many years to come, as well.
Need a New Septic Tank System?Give Herrington’s a Call!
Indeed, living in the country may be a wonderful experience, but whether purchasing or selling a rural property, make sure you get your septic tank inspected first. Septic tank installation is best left to the professionals due to the large number of intricate aspects that must be considered for a successful application. Knowing how much it will cost to construct a septic tank will encourage you to take good care of your new septic tank system. In addition, you will have a better grasp of the expenses associated with a new septic tank installation after reading this article.
When you want the installation of a new septic tank system, contact Herrington’s.
We understand how crucial a well functioning septic tank system is for your house, which is why we provide the most inexpensive pricing available.
How Do You Know If You Have a Septic Tank? Simple Homeowners Guide
What is the best way to tell whether you have a septic tank? In rural locations, septic tanks are popular for both residential and commercial buildings. When assessing whether or not you have a septic tank, there are a few things to look for that are telltale symptoms of a septic tank. The fact that septic tanks are buried underground is something that the majority of people are unaware of. They are frequently found at the property border, although this is not always the case! This is why it is not as straightforward as taking a quick look around your property.
Most likely, if you reside in a rural region, your home is equipped with an on-site sewage treatment system.
Inspect Your PropertyLook Underground
If you have a look about your property, you may be able to determine where the tank is hidden. Alternatively, you may invest in an underground sewer probe, which will assist you in locating the main sewer line beneath. If you follow the main sewage line, you’ll be able to follow the trail and finally identify the location of your septic tank. The majority of septic tanks are buried between five and twenty-five feet away from the house. It is probable that your septic tank will be between six inches and four feet down, so be sure that you are inserting your metal soil probe into the earth to the proper depth.
With a metal soil probe, you should be able to locate it easily.
Consider starting with the horizon if you are unsure of where to begin. Do you have any artificial hills or mounds in your property that you can point out? If your septic system is placed underground, this might be the location of your system!
Ask Your Neighbors
You may also inquire with your neighbors about the location of their septic tanks in their backyards. Using this information might aid you in your quest for the location of your septic tank. If your neighbor’s septic tank is just 20 feet away from their home, it is an excellent beginning point for you to utilize when determining the distance between your own home and theirs.
Contact Your Local City Government
If you’ve recently acquired the property, the records for your septic system should have been included in the package. If you did not obtain these data, you should contact the city authority in your area. A septic tank installation company will be able to give further information on the locations where public records suggest that one should be put. You’ll want to get a map of the property’s survey as well as a map of the septic tank. The county records for construction permits may frequently be accessed online, and they contain valuable information such as how far away from a septic tank the home should be located and what size it should be.
The county, on the other hand, should at the very least have some documentation regarding when the septic tank was erected.
Check Your Water Bill
Does your water bill include a line item for “sewer amount charged” on a monthly basis? If you answered no, then you most certainly have a septic tank on your property! Homes that are linked to a septic system are not connected to the city’s public services. In addition, if you utilize well water and do not have a water meter, this is another indication that you are utilizing a septic system to dispose of your waste. You might be interested in learning more about:How much does a septic system cost?
Call Atlanta’s1 Septic Company
If you’re still having trouble finding it, call The Original Plumber! We can check the site and provide an exact response as to whether or not there is a septic tank on the premises. Your septic system is critical to the functioning of your household. Unless you maintain it correctly, you might wind yourself in a state of chaos. You needn’t be concerned since our team of septic professionals is on here to assist you. At The Original Plumber, we believe in providing our customers with honest and open prices.
We place a high importance on ethics and professionalism, so you can be certain that we will complete the task to your satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
A septic system is a system that collects home sewage and divides it into two types of waste: solid and liquid. In order to transform the organic stuff in sewage into less toxic solids, it uses microorganisms to treat the sewage. It is simple to sprinkle these materials on your lawn as fertilizer, and the liquefaction process transforms what was once human excrement into something that can be securely discarded. It accomplishes this by emptying the liquid through an output pipe.
Don’t be concerned if this appears to be a lot of effort! Septic systems are intended to manage this procedure automatically, with no additional work on the part of the homeowner. A well maintained septic system should provide you with service for up to 40 years.
What should I do once I find my septic tank’s location?
Remember to label your septic tank once you’ve located it. Alternatively, you might use something like garden pavers as a stake in the ground. Make certain that it will not be blown away by strong winds or other adverse weather conditions. In addition, you should draw a map of your septic tank. A deed should have been included with your property; but, if one was not included with your property records, you can create one on your own. You can leave the property to the next homeowner if you decide to sell it at a later date.
How often do I need my septic system pumped?
Every three to five years, we recommend that you have your septic system pumped out. Septic tank maintenance should be performed on a regular basis to avoid blockages from occurring. During routine septic tank maintenance, we may also discover any difficulties with your septic tank that may exist.
How can I tell if my septic tank needs to be pumped?
If you have recently purchased a property, it is possible that you are unaware of when the septic system was last serviced. We urge that you contact us to do a septic system check so that you can remain proactive and avoid more costly difficulties in the future. However, if you see any of these warning signals, please contact us right once. These are some of the most prominent warning signals that your septic tank is overflowing.
- In the case of pooling water over the drain field, this indicates that your effluent has nowhere else to go. Rapid development of flora and fauna, such as excessively tall grass and weeds, over the drain field as a result of excessive waste water
- Your leach field is emitting a foul odor, similar to that of sewage. Even after treating them, toilets and sinks remain sluggish in flushing and draining
If you do not get your septic tank drained on a regular basis, it is possible that it will overflow. A sewage backup will ensue as a result of this. If you see any of the warning signs of a sewage backlog, you should strive to use less water until the problem is resolved (like being cautious of laundry loads and how many showers you take). We understand that having sewage and other toxins back up into your house is a major inconvenience. Using septic-safe toilet paper can help to avoid sewage from backing up.
Also, avoid flushing items down your sinks that are heated, such as hot cooking oil or grease.
You should also avoid using chemical cleansers since they might cause the microorganisms in your septic system to become disrupted.
Septic Tank Installation, 10 Crucial Facts To Know About Septic Systems
Over the course of the last century, there have been several breakthroughs in the fields of plumbing and sewerage. Even in the face of this, around 15% of Canadians continue to rely on wells and the installation of septic tanks for their water and sewer requirements at this time. Septic tank installation is required for those who live in rural and even suburban regions since they do not have access to sewers provided by their local governments and hence must have one installed. It’s possible that if you ever decide to relocate to a rural location in or near British Columbia, you’ll be obliged to utilize a septic system as part of the process.
Consider the following: how septic tanks function, and what you will need to do to keep them in good working order once you have had septic tank installation completed.
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1. Septic Tank Installation Should Be Left to the Professionals
Developing a septic tank system design It is not as straightforward as it appears to prepare a site for a septic tank installation. Imagining where the septic system will be positioned is a lot more challenging than it appears at first glance. Prior to installing a septic system, a reputable septic tank provider must visit to your property and inspect the terrain and soils in the area where you intend to locate your tank and septic field. This is done in order to ensure that the ground is acceptable for the type of septic tank that will be utilized as well as the type of media that will be deployed in the field during the construction process.
- Excavation of some of your land with test pits to determine the soil types, look for different horizons and restrictive layers, and to determine how water will pass through the depths of the soil, and the rate at which water will be able to flow through it; this is known as hydraulic loading.
- Percolation testing is useful in determining how rapidly water is absorbed into the soil by the soil.
- This involves determining if any bedrock or soil layers will prove to be impermeable, as well as examining for streams, a high water table, culverts, riparian zones, easements, and other features that may be present.
- There are many various components to a septic tank system, and all of them must be able to fit within your yard in order for the installation to be effective.
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2. Septic Systems Can Take Up a Large Portion of Your Yard
As previously said, septic tank systems are not precisely compact in size. In the majority of situations, they will take over your entire yard and compel you to give up a significant portion of your land to their benefit. However, because they are typically constructed in rural places where land is easily accessible, this is something to bear in mind during the septic tank installation process, even if it does not offer an immediate problem.
Becoming familiar with the many components of a conventional septic system is recommended prior to having one placed on your property. The following components are typically found in an average septic system:
- Septic tank, distribution box, drain field, sewer line, and access hatch are all included.
After you’ve had septic tank installation completed, the wastewater that you generate in your house on a daily basis will flow through the various sections of your septic system. Because it includes bacteria that are intended to separate solids from fats and grease, your tank is where the majority of the activity takes place. Water from the cleaner water zone in the septic tank flows through a pipe to a subsequent component of the system, such as a distribution box or a pump tank.
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Living in a property that is directly linked to a city sewage allows you to use as much water as you want without worrying about overflowing the system. You might keep a sink running all day without experiencing any actual effects, other than increasing your water bill. However, this is not recommended. People who have had septic tank installation done, on the other hand, do not experience this. Each septic tank is capable of retaining a specific quantity of water, and you will need to prevent overflowing your tank with water, which will saturate the septic field, by limiting the amount of water you use on a daily basis, according to the manufacturer.
- Making little changes such as installing water-saving toilets and taking shorter showers Laundering fewer loads of laundry (some washing machines may consume up to 45 gallons of water for a single load!) and doing laundry in smaller amounts. turning off the water when you are brushing your teeth
- Dumping water needed for culinary purposes outside rather than flushing it down the toilet
While smaller families should have no difficulty controlling their water use, individuals with large families may find it more difficult to achieve their goals. Following septic tank installation, you’ll need to take stock of how much water you’re consuming and make adjustments as needed to avoid running into difficulties.
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You must be cautious about what you put down the drain once you have completed septic tank installation and are reliant on a septic system for your household waste disposal. Keep in mind that anything you flush down the toilet or put down the kitchen sink will end up flowing through your septic tank–and if you aren’t cautious, it might become trapped there. Here are some of the items you should absolutely avoid putting down your drains in order to prevent them from ending up in your septic system:
- Food scraps, coffee grinds, grease, oil, paper towels, feminine products, dental floss, wet wipes, cat litter, drain cleaners, bleach, cigarette butts, and other household waste
In general, you should restrict the amount of garbage and water that you flush down your toilet. Providing you follow these guidelines, you should have no severe problems with your septic tank or the rest of your septic system.
5. Septic Tank Systems Need to Be Monitored At All Times
Being in charge of the installation of a septic tank is an enormous responsibility. Residents who use sewers do not have to care about where their wastewater is going since they have a system in place. However, individuals who use septic tanks must check them at all times in case a problem emerges. Walking around the region where your drain field is located is a good approach to keep an eye on your septic tank’s condition. This region should never be moist or even damp in the first place. If this is the case, it might indicate that water is not adequately draining from your septic system.
Is there any truly green grass growing nearby, or are there puddles developing in the vicinity? The fact that you’re experiencing this might indicate that you’re either consuming too much water on a daily basis or that you’re dealing with a much greater issue at hand.
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You will need to have your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis after having a septic tank installed, no matter how careful you are with what you throw down the drain in your home. The sludge at the bottom of septic tanks will accumulate over time due to the accumulation of particles that find their way into the tank. That sludge will gradually take up more and more room in your tank until it finally has an adverse effect on the tank’s capacity to transport wastewater. You should have a professional come out and clean your septic tank once every three to five years, depending on how much time has passed.
This has the potential to significantly increase the lifespan of a septic tank while also improving its overall efficiency.
7. Septic Tank Systems Must Be Ventilated Properly
After you have completed septic tank installation and begin utilizing your septic system on a regular basis, the tank will begin to fill with harmful gases that occur as a result of the waste that passes through it. There will also be a variety of unpleasant odors present in the tank as it attempts to keep wastewater flowing through it, as the bacteria in the septic tank breaks down solid organic matter and the bacteria in the septic tank breaks down solid organic matter. It is possible that these gases and odors will cause you discomfort if you do not have an effective ventilation system in place.
An experienced septic tank provider should be able to easily air your system upwards through a vent situated on your roof with little difficulty.
You should contact a septic tank specialist as soon as possible to determine why your septic tank isn’t venting correctly and to prevent any health risks that may result as a result of this.
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This is one of the most difficult situations a homeowner may find themselves in after having a septic tank installed. When a septic tank isn’t properly maintained, it might overflow and allow waste and wastewater to back up into the house, causing it to overflow again. In all likelihood, this is something that should be avoided at all costs. If you discover that the wastewater from your house is not draining properly, it is critical that you get professional assistance. If you don’t take action, you may soon discover that your septic tank is backing up into your home.
- In your house, sewage backup can be found in the toilets and drains. Flushing toilets that are extremely sluggish and/or don’t drain at all
- Septic tank waste that has accumulated on the ground just above your septic tank.
Many homeowners are unaware that their septic system is on the verge of backing up until it is too late to prevent it from happening. Allow things to reach to that point before you intervene! Keep an eye out for any of the warning indicators outlined before.
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In the event that your home has a septic system linked to it, you should schedule an inspection for it at least once a year. Regardless of the outcome, this will provide you with an indication of the state of your septic tank, allowing you to plan for any future maintenance or repairs that may be required. When you purchase or sell a house, you will also need to have a septic tank examination performed on the property. It is impossible to tell how effectively a septic system has been maintained over the years, and the last thing you want to do is agree to purchase a property that has an outdated septic system that will need to be changed shortly after closing.
As a seller, you want to be able to highlight the positive aspects of your septic system rather than the bad aspects while marketing your house.
A septic inspection will set everyone’s minds at rest during the selling process, since new septic tank installation is not something that either buyers or sellers will want to consider about.
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No matter how careful you are in keeping your septic system in good working order, it will not survive indefinitely. Your septic tank, in particular, will need to be replaced at some time in the near future. Most homeowners will get at least 15 years of use out of a metal septic tank. However, even though metal septic tanks are no longer widely used, your property may still contain one. On the other hand, when properly maintained over time, a concrete septic tank may endure for up to 40 years or more in most cases.
There are a number of things you can do to extend the life of your septic system.
- Maintain your septic system in accordance with the industry’s standards. Items that shouldn’t go in your septic tank should avoid being dumped in
- Maintain accurate records of when you had pumping and other maintenance performed, as well as who executed the work.
A new septic tank installation will be required at some time in the future, there is simply no way around it. However, by taking good care of your septic system, you can put off the inevitable for as long as you possibly can. It will be of use to you both now and in the foreseeable future.
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Contact us now to discuss how to design a septic tank that will perform effectively for your house. Check out our blog for more information on how to keep your septic tank in good condition over time and how to identify any problems with it.
