How To Make Septic Tank Locator Tool? (Perfect answer)

To make the tool To make the tool make a mark at 24” on the 8’ PVC pipe with the marker. Stretch the sock over the end of the PVC pipe beyond the 24” mark.

How do you find a buried septic tank lid?

You can locate the lid of your septic tank by poking the ground every few feet with a metal probe. Lids can be buried up to a foot deep on average, so be sure to investigate any bumps that may indicate something is buried underneath.

Can you use a metal detector to find a septic tank?

Yes, you can locate your septic tank with a metal detector. Remember, most concrete septic tanks have reinforcement bars. Metal detectors can pick signals from the metals. That means you won’t find your tank position if it’s entirely made of concrete.

How do you locate a septic tank?

In most cases, septic tank components including the lid, are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. You can use a metal probe to locate its edges and mark the perimeter. If you do not find the lid by probing, shallow excavation with a shovel along the tank’s perimeter should reveal the lid.

How do you ground a probe?

Using the soil probe is easy. Simply insert the pointed end into the soil and push as deep as you can, then slowly pull up.

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.

What are the signs that your septic tank is full?

Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:

Your Drains Are Taking Forever.

Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
You Hear Gurgling Water.

You Have A Sewage Backup.
How often should you empty your septic tank?

Where are most septic tanks located?

Toe the Line. Your septic tank will most certainly be installed along the main sewer line that runs out of your home. Look for the 4-inch sewer that exits the crawl space or basement, and locate the same spot outside the home. Septic tanks are usually located between ten to 25 feet away from the home.

Do septic tanks have two lids?

Locate The Lid A septic tank installed before 1975 will have a single 24-inch concrete lid in the center of the rectangle. A two-compartment tank installed after 1975 will have two lids of either fiberglass or polyethylene, centered at opposite ends of the rectangle.

How far apart are the lids on a septic tank?

The distance between lids will be different for each sized tank: 1000 gallon tank = 6-6.5 ft.; 1250 gallon = 7-7.5 ft.; 1500 gallon = 8.5-9 ft.. Dig up the outlet chamber access lid. If you are extraordinarily lucky, the as-built drawing is accurate and you have hit the lids spot on.

Do all septic tanks have filters?

First, not all septic tanks have a filter, especially the older septic tanks. Now many government agencies require or recommend a filter when a septic tank is installed. Cleaning a septic tank filter is different than pumping out a septic tank and cleaning it.

Are septic tanks made of metal?

The majority of septic tanks are constructed out of concrete, fiberglass, polyethylene or coated steel. Typically, septic tanks with a capacity smaller than 6,000 gallons are pre-manufactured. Larger septic tanks are constructed in place or assembled on-site from pre-manufactured sections.

Can you use a metal detector to find sewer lines?

Using a Plumbing Pipe Detector to Locate Underground Pipes. As a property owner there will be times when, for a variety of reasons, you will need to locate underground metal objects. For example, using a pipe locator metal detector you can easily pinpoint leaking underground pipes quickly.

How to Use Special Equipment to Find The Septic Tank or Septic Waste Lines

POSTPONE a QUESTION or COMMENTabout how to locate a septic tank using basic tools or more complex electronic equipment or cameras for locating septic tank pipes

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. Equipment for finding septic tanks: A septic tank may be located with the use of several basic instruments and technologies, which are described in this paper. This article explains how to locate a septic tank when the position of the tank is not previously known or when the location of the septic tank is not readily apparent from the surrounding area.

ToolsEquipmentto Find theSeptic Tank

The following section discusses sewage tank finding tools and equipment. If you have not already done so, please read our more basic method to locating your septic tank by visual inspection: SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND. Remember to use caution while probing or excavating a septic tank, drywell, or cesspool, especially if you are not convinced that the installation has a safe and secure cover. Probing or excavating over a failing septic tank or cesspool, or even drywall, can cause the system to collapse, which is potentially lethal.

Some inspectors or septic service firms use a basic septic tank finding probesuch, instrument as a 1/4″ steel rod or a heavier steel wrecking bar, to probe the earth around a suspected septic tank site. Keep an eye out for: An oversized wrecking bar driven into the ground can perforate a steel septic tank lid or shatter a terra cotta septic drain line

OrORANGEBURG PIPEseptic drain line. These approaches, on the other hand, can be beneficial if applied with caution in soft or moist soils. A wrecking bar was used in a similar septic application, the inspection of septic fields, to make holes in a drainfield, but not directly across a drain line, in order to examine soil conditions. A failed septic system may cause wastewater to rise to the surface through an opening of this nature.)
Using a shovel is a low-tech and high-sweat technique of locating any buried thing, provided that you have a basic concept of where the object is hidden. Our contractor utilized a backhoe to “discover” the sewage tank when we conducted our first septic tank search in 1969. He “discovered” it by driving over and collapsing an old steel septic tank, which he had been looking for. I wished we’d begun with a shovel a little more slowly
Using a metal detector, you may locate certain septic tanks that have steel tank tops or manhole covers that have been utilized to cover the entry port to the tank. Drain Pipe with Electronics To locate the septic tank, use your senses: The septic tank may be pinpointed with pinpoint accuracy using technological means: Some plumbing contractors can locate the precise position of the septic tank at this stage by inserting a special plumbing snake into the main home drain pipe and running it through the house. In either case, the plumbing snake is placed into the drain line from a suitable point and then stretched until it encounters an impediment, which might be an obstruction in the drain line or it could be that the snake has extended into the septic tank and struck it. The metal plumbing snake receives an electrical signal that is supplied into it. The signal from the plumbing snake may be detected by a receiver located outside. The precise course of the snake in the underground drain line may be traced all the way to the tank by passing the receiver, which functions as a type of electronic metal detector, over the surface of the land. More information may be found atDRAINFIELD PIPE LOCATION, PRECISE

For the purpose of locating the septic tank, ground scanning radar was used: Hidden septic tanks, underground oil tanks, and other items beneath the surface of the earth can be detected using radar. Many of the companies who provide underground oil tank finding services are also capable of delivering this (more expensive) service.

Warning about using metal detectors or electronic pipe sensors to find Septic Tanks

Metal detectors or probes that indicate the course of an underground pipe are great and quick methods of locating buried drain and septic system components, as well as other buried infrastructure. However, on an older property, we’ve had an odd problem that may have been quite disastrous. If your property is old, it may contain numerous generations of underground cables and pipes, which can cause errors in the readings from sensors such as those for buried pipe or buried septic tank monitoring.

After attaching a transmitting unit to a pipe at the gas meter, the technician proceeded to paint a yellow line over our (at the time frozen) earth with a paintbrush.

We started digging 18 inches deep using a jackhammer to break through frozen earth in order to locate a water pipe “a safe distance away from the yellow line indicating the gas line As one might expect, we came across the gas line itself while we were excavating!

Keep an eye out for: Excavation equipment such as backhoes, wrecking bars, and jackhammers should not be used in areas where potentially dangerous utilities are underground.

SEPTIC LOCATION VIDEOS includes videos that demonstrate how to locate a septic system, septic tank, and septic drainfield, among other things.

Reader CommentsQ A

Please accept my apologies, but I am not familiar with the term “dry tank.” I know where the septic tank is, but I can’t seem to locate the dry tank. My home was constructed in the 1960s. I’m trying to locate the health department because I want to put up a vehicle awning for my camper. In order to determine the *exact* position of the entrance and exit of a septic tank, you must first locate the tank. 2. Remove the cover from the risers or cleanout apertures depending on the tank type and size, there may be two, three, or more of these openings.

I normally take measurements from the building’s nearest corners and develop a diagram for future reference.
Those measuring methodologies are described in greater depth in the preceding article.
It is reasonable to assume that the septic hookup would be near to the edge of the actual RV rectangle if the location where the RV was parked can be identified and identified.

A plumber can install a buried drain tracing wire at the septic tank and use an above-ground detector to trace the course of the plumbing.
There were two RVs here a few years ago, but no hookups can be discovered now.
The ground is quite difficult!

How can I locate the septic tank if a septic line runs down into a cement pad and is not visible?
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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES:ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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Locating Septic Tanks the Old-Fashioned Way

When it comes to locating septic tanks, Ray Harrison prefers to utilize an old-fashioned listening rod.

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Receive articles, news, and videos about Systems/ATUs sent directly to your email! Now is the time to sign up. Systems/ATUs+ Receive Notifications The chances are good that when Ray Harrison is out on a job site, he will at some time unload a long steel rod from his truck. His response: “That’s something that we utilize very much on a regular basis.” “It’s a little out of the way. “A large number of individuals have converted to cameras.” In Chestertown, Maryland, on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, he owns and operates Raymond Harrison Septic Services, and the instrument that he cherishes the most is a sounding rod.

You can tell the difference between a concrete tank and a plastic tank.
With a little practice, you can tell the difference between PVC and cast iron.

Everything is dependent on how the earth or a subterranean structure reacts to the rod.
PVC has a bounce to it, and it has a deeper sound than other materials.
It’s impossible to move something after you strike it,” Harrison explains.

Commercial sounding rods are available for purchase, but Harrison chooses to do the more inexpensive method.
It performs exactly what its name indicates for electricians: it does what it says it will do.

These rods are composed of galvanized steel, which ensures that they will survive for a long time, and they are available in a variety of lengths.

That’s the most manageable length.

It takes time and effort to become proficient with a sounding rod.

His father had taught him how to use the sounding rod, and he owed his success to him.

Maryland has a large number of septic systems, many of which are ancient, and Harrison receives calls from people who are unsure about the location of their septic system roughly every other week.

When utilizing any instrument to probe the earth, extreme caution should be exercised.

A “digger’s hotline” service should be installed on the electric, gas, and cable utilities prior to the arrival of workers on the job site. In the April edition of Onsite Installer, you can read a comprehensive profile of Raymond Harrison Septic Services.

23 Best Septic Tank Tools for 2022

It is necessary to have the proper equipment to perform septic system inspection, maintenance, and installation in order to keep customers’ household waste systems clean and in excellent functioning condition. Aside from being protected against infectious illnesses, hazardous gases, and electrical shock, septic tank service professionals must also be protected from a variety of other health concerns. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, septic systems are used by more than one in every five residences in the United States to treat their wastewater.

To see a demonstration, please click here.

The Septic Tools List

First, take a look at the list of the 23 top tools for septic tank service providers, which you can find here. We’ve provided further information on each below so that you may go deeper into the facts and determine what your septic service still need in order to be successful. Locator for Septic Tanks

Take a look at the list of the 23 top tools for septic tank service providers, which you can find at the bottom of this page. We’ve provided further information on each below so that you may go deeper into the intricacies and determine what your septic service still need in order to be successful in its mission. Plotting the location of the septic tank

Septic Probes are used to test for bacteria in the intestines.

Soil probe rods, steel probe rods, and septic tank probe rods are all options.

Septic Inspection Instruments

A long wooden pole or a sludge judge may be used. Inspection of baffles, tees, and walls with a visual inspection
The use of video inspection equipment

Cleaning Equipment for Septic Tanks

Pump truck, high-capacity vacuum, sewer jet, or high-velocity water jet are all examples of equipment. Muck rake, Wayne ball, Wrecking bar, and power rodding are all useful tools. Riser pipes for septic tanks

Products for Septic Tank Maintenance

Alarms and control panels
Effluent filters
Vent pipe odor filters

Septic business software
Effluent filters

Septic Tank Locator Tool

Sewage holding tanks or separation chambers, which are often buried underground and composed of materials such as concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, serve as a holding tank or separation chamber for wastewater that is drained down drain pipes. Solid debris sinks to the bottom and congeals to produce sludge, whereas fats, oils, and grease rise to the surface and congeal to make scum. In a drain field, the liquid effluent that remains after the tank has been emptied. Some visible signs, such as snow melt, rectangular depressions in the soil, regions of reduced grass growth or areas of lush growth, or pipes poking out of the ground anywhere from 10 to 20 feet from the residence, can serve as a basic septic finder.

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For example, consider the following methods for locating a septic tank using a metal detector:

Septic tanks and septic tank covers that are made of metal might be discovered with the use of a metal detector. A concrete septic tank may be located by utilizing a metal detector to find the steel reinforcing bars that support the tank’s concrete shell. It is possible that your septic tank does not contain enough metal to be detected, in which case you will need to use a plumbing cleanout snake to snake the sewage line. When the cleanout snake reaches the septic tank, it comes to a complete stop, and you may use a metal detector to find the end of the snake.

Other choices for a septic tank finding equipment include the following:

In order to trace the signal from an electronic septic tank tracker, you must flush it down the toilet and track its whereabouts using a receiver. Generally speaking, you’ll locate the septic tank wherever the strongest signal from the septic locator transmitter may be found. Ground-scanning radar, which is frequently employed by industries to discover subsurface oil tanks, may also be used to detect the presence of septic tanks. Just keep in mind that this service may come at a higher cost to clients.

An important point of caution: When utilizing metal detectors or electronic septic tank finding equipment, be in mind that older properties may have several hidden cables and pipes, which can cause misleading readings.

Also, be cautious not to excavate using backhoes, wrecking bars, or jackhammers in locations where potentially dangerous utility lines are buried, or in regions where septic tank failure has deteriorated the ground.

Septic Tank Probe

When septic professionals inspect a customer’s property, they will often utilize a soil probe rod or a ground probe rod to discover underground drain lines. An experienced septic contractor will locate the drain lines by placing a thin metal rod or steel probe rod into the ground 10 to 15 feet away from the home’s foundation and digging down to the sewer pipe exit point. Then they’ll follow the lines all the way to the underground septic tank to finish the job. The tank may be located with the use of an electronic probe in some instances.

A septic probe may also be used to determine where septic tank field lines are located, which is useful information.

The presence of luxuriant vegetation, soft spongy ground, a sewage stench, or effluence at the surface are all indicators of a likely septic tank failure.

Septic Inspection Tools

As soon as the tank has been discovered and gained access, the liquid levels in the tank are measured before any cleaning equipment is used to clean the tank. Inserting a long wooden stick into different parts of the tank will allow you to determine the levels. Depending on how much sludge and scum is on the wooden pole as you take it out, you can determine how much cleaning is required. For approximately $75, you can purchase an asludge judge (a long hollow plastic tube with a check valve at the bottom), which will serve the same purpose.

It is necessary to pump the tank, according to EPA guidelines, if the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet.

The condition of the baffles and tees (which prevent sewage from backing up into the inlet or outflow pipe) as well as any evidence of cracks in the tank’s walls are all checked during a septic tank inspection.

Septic Tank Cleaning Tools

Septic tank service companies remove waste from septic tanks with the use of a pump vehicle equipped with a high-capacity vacuum. To clear obstructions or access hard-to-reach sections of the tank, they may also utilize various septic instruments such as a sewage jet or high-velocity water jet, among other things. Other septic tank instruments that are commonly utilized on the job include as follows:

When pumping, muck-rake is a long, hoe-like implement that is used to break up scum and sludge that has accumulated. In septic pipe cleaning, the Wayne ball is a spirally grooved, inflated, semi-hard rubber ball that is used in conjunction with a hydraulic jet action. Septic tank lids are normally opened with the use of a wrecking bar, which is a long steel bar. Rodding using high-pressure water is a high-tech variant of the traditional drain snake. When threaded through pipes, it makes use of a flexible, thin metal wire that does not put undue strain on sensitive plumbing
Septic tank risers are pipes made of plastic, fiberglass, or concrete that are used to construct a vertical gateway from the ground level to the septic tank above. Contractors frequently recommend installing this type of septic equipment in order to facilitate access for their septic tank pumping equipment.

Septic Maintenance Products

The alarms and control panels of a septic system govern and monitor all of the functions of the system, including warnings for high water, air pump failure, and submersible pump failure. Effluent filters are devices that are attached to the outputs of a septic tank and are used to minimize the amount of particles that flow out of the tank and into the drain field. In order to reduce or eliminate odors from septic tanks, activated carbon vent pipe odor filters are utilized.

Septic Business Software

Better productivity and higher customer service are achieved via the use of septic service software in your company’s everyday business operations. Using online scheduling and dispatching, as well as mobile estimates and billing, you can make running your septic treatment business a lot more organized endeavor.

Additional ServiceTitan solutions, such as Marketing Pro, Phones Pro, and Pricebook Pro, assist septic firms in increasing their lead generation and increasing their net profit margins.

Business Valuation Calculator

Do you want to discover how much your septic repair company is worth right now? Use the freeServiceTitan Business Valuation Calculator to uncover crucial criteria for tracking growth and profitability, as well as to determine how much your local septic business could be valued if you decide to sell it.

Invoice Generator

Distribute to your septic team a mobile tool that allows them to quickly and conveniently produce and save bills, then email or text them from the field with ServiceTitan’s free Invoice Generator Tool. Reduce paperwork, expedite invoicing, and provide consumers with a quick, professional digital invoice that they can pay online or on the job site by eliminating paper-based processes.

Labor Rate Calculator

With ServiceTitan’s free interactive Labor Rate Calculator, you can see how much each person really costs your septic service company and figure out how much to charge clients. Plugging in essential variables, such as overhead expenses and ideal net profit, allows you to calculate the billable hourly labor rate necessary to pay the costs of running company while also maximizing profits.

Pipe Volume Calculator

By utilizing the freeServiceTitan Pipe Volume Calculator, you can determine how much liquid waste a piping section can carry as well as how much those pipes weigh when they are completely filled. A septic tank professional can quickly and effectively convert pipe volume and mass using six distinct measurement units, allowing them to save time, decrease waste, increase accuracy, and certify that the pipe size is adequate for any septic operation.

ROI Calculator

Use the freeServiceTitan Pipe Volume Calculator to determine how much liquid waste a pipe section can hold and how much the pipes weigh when they are completely filled. A septic tank professional can quickly and effectively convert pipe volume and mass using six distinct measurement units, allowing him or her to save time, decrease waste, increase accuracy, and confirm the proper pipe size for any septic project.

Service Business Grader

The Service Business Grader Tool from ServiceTitan allows you to evaluate the success of your septic service company. You may find out how your septic tank service techs and dispatchers are doing in less than a minute by comparing average ticket sales and other critical indicators with those of your competitors.

Mobile AppTablet

Create a mobile tablet application that allows clients to easily order, purchase, and pay for your company’s septic services with a single tap, click, or swipe on their mobile device. Techs provide tiered estimates in the field using the ServiceTitan Mobile App, which includes bright photographs, manufacturer videos, and full product information, allowing consumers to browse and purchase at their own leisure, much as they would when buying online. Make it possible for your electrical clients to receive the mobile-driven service they desire by including ServiceTitan’s Mobile App in your technicians’ toolbox.

With just a few taps on their mobile tablet, techs may have access to all of the information gathered by CSRs, including customers’ names and addresses and contact information

Outstanding estimates
Job histories
Property data

Past bills
Call recordings
And comments. Adding your own forms and pricebooks to the ServiceTitan cloud-based system makes it simple to manage pricing and product adjustments across the whole system. Job automation is a term used to describe the process of automating a job. Automate the appearance of particular forms as the project advances, so that technicians are aware of the procedures they need to do at each stage—from diagnosis and repair to billing and requesting a customer review

Make mobile payments more efficient by scanning checks and credit cards using the mobile tablet’s camera, or by using a credit-card swiper in addition to the camera. In the event that clients choose to pay in cash, techs may take it as well and instantly document payment while on the job site.

How to Find a Septic Tank With a Metal Detector

With just a few taps on their mobile tablet, techs may have access to all of the information gathered by CSRs, including customers’ names and addresses and contact information; outstanding estimates; job histories; property information; past bills; call recordings; and notes. Create and upload your own forms and pricebooks, as well as manage pricing and product modifications across the whole ServiceTitan cloud-based system; Personalization: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a technique used to automate a process.

Make mobile payments more efficient by scanning checks and credit cards using the mobile tablet’s camera, or by using a credit-card swiper in conjunction with the camera.

In the event that consumers choose to pay in cash, techs may accept it as well and instantly document payment while on the job.

How do septic systems work?

A septic system is made up of two parts: the septic tank and the drain field (or leach field).

Septic Tank

Waste from toilets, sinks, and showers is sent down a main sewage line and into a holding tank known as the septic tank. A septic tank is a large, subterranean container that acts as the initial stage of a home’s sewage treatment system by collecting and treating sewage. Watertight containers such as concrete, steel, plastic, and fiberglass are used to construct the tank. Until the particles and liquids separate into three different layers, sewage is allowed to remain in the septic tank. This picture shows how sewage from the home drains into a two-compartment underground septic tank.

The liquid wastes are subsequently discharged into the drain field.

The bacteria produce a sludge that is “digested” and stays in the tank until it is drained.

This stratum is referred to as effluent in most circles.

Drain Field

Drain fields are composed of layers of gravel and dirt that allow liquid sewage to flow down. It eventually becomes part of the groundwater supply. Aerobic bacteria (bacteria that require oxygen to survive) and other microbes decompose the organic debris that remains.

What happens if a septic tank gets too full?

In the event that your septic tank becomes overflowing, sewage may back up into your home. It is more difficult to breakdown sludge than it is to collect it. If the sludge isn’t cleaned, the solids will build up until they overflow into the drain field, causing the drain to back up. This has the potential to clog pipes and produce a backup. The sludge must be cleared on a regular basis in order to avoid this. Many households only get their tanks emptied after the system malfunctions. Waiting until that stage can result in repair expenses in the tens of thousands of dollars.

6 Steps to Locate a Septic Tank

Water from your toilets, sinks, and showers is collected in a main drain pipe and disposed of properly. This line departs your home and enters your septic tank through the basement or crawl area where it was installed. Find the line in question. Afterwards, walk outside and look for the identical location on the opposite side of the wall. Make a note of this spot since you’ll need it in a moment.

2. Check Permits and Public Records

Water from your toilets, sinks, and showers is collected and discharged through a main drain pipe. This pipe departs your home and enters your septic tank through the basement or crawl area where you live.

Find the line that says this. Proceed to the exterior of the building and look for the identical location on the opposite side of the wall. You’ll want to keep this place handy since you’ll need it later.

Colorado’s counties of Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Colorado Septic Records Search
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3. Determine Septic Tank Material

If you’ve located your septic permit, you’ll find information about the size, shape, and material of your septic tank there as well. But don’t be concerned if your septic data aren’t readily available. We can perform some basic detective work to determine what material your septic system is built of. Let’s start with a look at the materials.

Types of Septic Tank Materials

Construction of septic tanks is mostly done using four types of materials: concrete, steel, fiberglass, and polyethylene plastic. Until the 1880s, the most extensively used septic tank material was concrete, which was then replaced by steel. These tanks have a lifespan of around 40 years and are built to last. They are susceptible to cracking, however, in locations where temperature variations are strong and frequent. Concrete tanks are frequently required by municipalities that have strict requirements on septic system construction.

Steel septic tanks begin to corrode within 20 to 25 years of installation in most regions.

If a human or animal walks across the weakened tank, it may collapse under the weight of the person or animal.
They will not break or corrode, however, in contrast to concrete or steel tanks.
PlasticSeptic tanks made of polyethylene have been in use since the 1980s.

They are not susceptible to rusting and are less prone to break when compared to concrete.
Because of the weight of the earth above them, or because a vehicle passes over the area where they are buried, plastic tanks are susceptible to collapse.

How Old is Your House?

Next, let’s determine the approximate age of your home. In some cases, all you need to do is take a glance at the house’s façade to get an idea of how old it really is. However, you may examine the tax assessor’s records in your county to get a more precise assessment. Similarly to searching for septic records, your mileage may vary depending on which county’s digitized records you are searching for. Let’s go over an example search utilizing Boulder County’s Property Search tool so that you can have a better sense of what you should be looking for.

Look up your home address on the internet. When searching for a home, some programs provide separate areas for your address and street name, while others (such as Boulder County) merge the two into a single search box. Look for information on Deeds and/or Sales Records in the public domain. You’ll find a list of transactions here, with dates showing when the property was purchased and sold. Find the transaction that occurred on the earliest possible date. This is most likely the year in which your home was constructed.

This information allows you to make an informed guess regarding the sort of material that your septic tank is built of.

4A. If it’s Concrete or Steel, Use a Metal Detector

After coming to the conclusion that the tank is most likely built of concrete or steel in Step 3, a metal detector may be used to make the work of locating it much simpler. But not just any metal detector will do. It must be the right one. Standard metal detectors have a depth range of 6 – 8″ (15 – 20 cm) below the surface of the ground. As previously stated, the majority of septic tanks are placed 1′ to 3′ (0.3 m to 1 m) underground, putting them outside of the acceptable range. An advanced sort of metal detector known as a Magnetic Locator, which can detect objects as deep as 16′ (4.8 m), is available for purchase.

Due to the fact that it exclusively detects iron and steel, it is perfect for finding the iron handles and reinforcing bars in concrete septic tanks, as well as the walls of steel tanks.

How to Use a Metal Detector to Search for a Septic Tank

If you have a septic permit record, you may refer to it to figure out how far you need to go to install a septic tank. Start at the point where the drain line meets the home and work your way out to where the septic tank is shown on the diagram. Keep in mind that this graphic depicts the proposed installation area and may not accurately depict the actual ground conditions on the site. We’ll have a look at the illustration below. One inch (2.5 centimeters) is equivalent to fifty feet (50 meters).

By using a ruler to measure the design, we’ve determined that the septic tank should be roughly 13′ (3.96 m) away from the home.

If you have a septic permit record, you may refer to it to figure out how far you need to go to construct a septic tank. Start at the point where the drain line meets the home and work your way out to where the septic tank should be. Keep in mind that this graphic represents the proposed installation area and may not accurately depict the actual ground conditions. Examine the figure below to see what I mean. One inch (2.5 centimeters) is equivalent to fifty feet (50 meters), as seen in the lower left corner (15 m). We’ve determined that the septic tank should be roughly 13′ (3.96 m) away from the home by using a ruler to measure the diagram. We should broaden our search area to include anything from 10′ (3.05 m) to 20′ (3.05 m) because the sewage drain pipe was going to be put at an angle (6.1 m).

4B. If it’s Plastic or Fiberglass, Probe Gently

Septic tanks made of plastic or fiberglass are typically buried one to two feet (0.3 to 0.91 m) below ground level. They feature circular covers made of green or black plastic that are roughly two feet (0.91 m) wide and have a diameter of around two feet (0.91 m). Due to the fact that these tanks are totally made of plastic, a metal detector will not be of use in locating them. In this situation, a soil probe is really useful. An inexpensive soil sampling instrument, soil probes are comprised of a 4′ (1.2 m) metal rod with a pointed tip on one end and are used for soil sample.

Gently poke the earth with a soil probe every 2 to 3 feet, using a light touch (0.61 to 0.91 m).

The use of a soft touch is essential here, since the metal tip of the probe can cause damage to plastic septic tanks (and sewage lines) if too much force is used.

5. Time to Dig

Following the placement of an amagnetic locator (or the probing of the ground) to record the places with the highest signal strength, you are ready to begin digging. Septic tank lids can be located anywhere from 4″ (10 cm) to 4′ (1.2 m) below the surface of the ground.

6. Mark the Location for Future Maintenance

Having discovered your septic tank, you’ll want to ensure that it can be readily detected and accessed in the event that it has to be repaired or replaced. You may accomplish this by installing a septic tank riser. Sewage Tank Risers are devices that provide for easy access to the septic tank from the ground. They are shafts made of plastic or concrete that link the top of the tank to the surface of the ground below the tank. The tank lid will no longer require you to dig to access it whenever maintenance is required.

How to Locate Your Septic Tank

As soon as you’ve discovered your septic tank, you’ll want to make certain that it can be readily accessed and maintained in the future. A septic tank riser can be used to do this. In the case of an underground septic tank, Septic Tank Risers make it possible to reach the tank easily.

They are shafts made of plastic or concrete that link the top of the tank to the surface of the ground below the tank’s surface. The tank lid will no longer require you to dig to access it whenever maintenance is needed. Sources

How To Find A Septic Tank: Step By Step

It is critical to maintain the health of your septic tank since it is responsible for securely storing and handling the wastewater that drains from your house. It is necessary to pump your septic tank once every 1-3 years, depending on the number of people living in your household and the size of your tank, in order to avoid septic tank repairs or early failure, which means you must be familiar with the location of your tank. It’s not often simple to identify your septic tank, and many plumbers charge extra for this service, which is especially true if your tank’s lid is buried beneath.

1. Gather Some Helpful Tools

It is critical to maintain the health of your septic tank system since it is responsible for securely storing and controlling the wastewater that exits your house. It is necessary to pump your septic tank once every 1-3 years, depending on the number of people living in your household and the size of your tank, in order to avoid septic tank repairs or early failure, which means you must be familiar with its location. Unfortunately, finding your tank is not always simple, and many plumbers charge extra to discover them, which is especially true if your septic tank lid is hidden beneath the earth.

A soil probe is one of the most useful instruments for locating a septic tank.
Start at the point where your sewage line exits your home and work your way straight out, inserting your soil probe every two feet along the way.
Using this method, you may also locate the cover for your septic tank.
While we highly advise keeping your cover clean and exposed in the event that you require emergency septic service, we recognize that this is not always the case.

2. Use a Septic Tank Map

If you are a new homeowner who is trying to figure out where your septic tank is, a septic tank map should be included in your inspection documentation. You can use this information to assist you in pinpointing the exact position of your storage tank. If you don’t have access to this map, there are a few of additional strategies you might employ.

3. Start Ruling Areas Out

The location of a septic tank cannot be constructed in specific areas due to the risk of causing major damage to your property or tank, as specified by local rules. Your septic tank will not be affected by the following:

Immediately adjacent to your well
Beneath your home
Directly against your home
For example, underneath your driveway
Under trees
And other locations. Structures like a patio or deck are good examples of this.

4. Inspect Your Property

If you take a hard look around your land, there’s a high possibility you’ll be able to locate your septic tank without having to do any probing whatsoever. In many circumstances, a septic tank may be identified by a slight dip or slope on your land that cannot be explained by any other means. Due to the fact that the hole that your contractors excavated for your septic tank may not have been exactly the proper size, they proceeded to install the tank anyhow. This is a rather regular occurrence.

When there is a minor divot or depression, it indicates that the hole was too large and that your contractors simply did not fill the depression to level the hole.

The likelihood of your septic tank being discovered in a few specific locations is quite high. Because of code issues or just because it doesn’t make sense, it’s highly unlikely that your septic tank will be located near any of the following locations:

Your water well, if you have one (for a variety of reasons that are rather clear)
Any paved surfaces (it won’t be under a patio, sidewalk, or driveway unless they were added after the home was built and no one performed a proper inspection before it was built)
Any paved surfaces (it won’t be under a driveway, sidewalk, or patio unless they were added after the home was built and no one conducted a proper inspection before it was built)
Any paved surfaces (it won’t be under a patio, sidewalk, or driveway unless they were added after the home was built If there is any particular landscaping

5. Inspect Your Yard

A comprehensive investigation of your yard may be necessary to discover your septic tank considerably more quickly in some cases. The following are important items to check for in your yard:

If your septic tank is overfilled, sewage can leak out into the ground and function as fertilizer for your lawn, resulting in lush green grass. A area of grass that is very lush and green is a good sign that your septic tank is just beneath it
Puddles that don’t make sense: If your septic tank is seriously overfilled, it is possible that water will pool on your grass. Another telltale indicator that your septic tank is below ground level is an unexplainable pool of water. Ground that is uneven: When installing septic tanks, it is possible that the contractors will mistakenly create high or low patches on your grass. If you come across any uneven terrain, it’s possible that your septic tank is right there.

The metal soil probe can let you find out for certain whether or not your septic tank is located in a certain area of your yard or not. As soon as your metal soil probe makes contact with the tank, you may use your shovel to dig out the grass surrounding it and discover the septic tank lid.

6. Follow Your Sewer Main/Sewer Pipes

Following your sewage lines is one of the most straightforward methods of locating your septic tank. These pipes have a diameter of roughly 4 inches and are commonly found in the basement or crawlspace of your house. They are not dangerous. Following the pipes from your house out into your yard, using your metal soil probe every 2 feet or so until you reach the tank, is a simple process once they are located. Aside from that, every drain in your home is connected to your sewage main, which in turn is connected to your septic tank.

The likelihood that one of your major sewer lines is located in your basement or crawlspace is high if you have exposed plumbing lines in your basement or crawlspace.

If the line is labeled, it is usually made of plastic or rubber.

7. Check Your Property Records

Following the path of your sewage lines is one of the most straightforward methods of locating your septic tank. These pipes have a diameter of roughly 4 inches and are typically found in the basement or crawlspace of your home. They are not dangerous. Following the pipes from your house out into your yard, using your metal soil probe every 2 feet or so until you reach the tank, is a simple process once they are discovered. Apart from that, your home’s drainage system includes a septic tank, which is connected to your sewer main through a pipe.

If you have exposed plumbing lines in your basement or crawlspace, there’s a good possibility that one of them is your main sewer line, which may be dangerous.

If the line is identified, it is usually made of plastic.

What to Do Once You Find Your Septic Tank

Upon discovering the position of your septic tank, you should mark its location on a map of your property. Use something to indicate the location of your lid, such as an attractive garden item that can’t be changed, to help you locate it. A birdbath, a rock, or a potted plant are just a few of the possibilities.

You are now ready to arrange your septic tank inspection and pumping service. Contact us now! If you have any more concerns regarding how to locate your septic tank, or if you want septic tank servicing, please contact The Plumbing Experts at (864) 210-3127 right now!

Save Time Hunting for Hidden Tanks With a Flushable Locator

Upon discovering the position of your septic tank, you should mark the site on a map of your property. A ornamental garden element that can’t be readily relocated should also be used to designate the location of the lid when it’s closed. A birdbath, a rock, or a potted plant are just a few examples of what you might use. The time has come for you to arrange for a septic tank checkup and pumping service. Call The Plumbing Experts at (864) 210-3127 if you have any more concerns about how to locate your septic tank or if you want septic tank servicing right away.

Septic Location Services, Boise, Meridian, ID

Is it difficult to determine the location of your septic system or drain lines? ASAP Septic can discover them using the most up-to-date video equipment, relieving you of the worry of attempting to locate them on your own. Using the information provided above, we can also figure out how big your septic system should be and where it should be installed, as well as the direction your drain/leach field should be directed. 1.Confirm the existence of state records. Depending on when your home was built and whether or not it was required to be recorded, the location of your septic tank may already be in the public property records.

Observe and evaluate the backyard.
Occasionally, though, there are hints as to their whereabouts to be found.
A modest bump or depression in the ground may indicate the presence of an underground tank.
The indoor pipes may be checked using a soil probe to identify the position of the septic tank, which can be followed from your home.
What to Do If You Discover It on Your Own In the event that you have located your tank, DO NOT attempt to open it yourself.
Older tanks may have lids that are corroded or corroding, which might cause the tank to collapse.
On the top of the tank, there is frequently a hole that allows a septic pump vacuum line to be inserted, allowing the tank to be cleaned.

Septic and Drain Line Locator Services

Are you unsure about the location of your septic system or drain lines? ASAP It is possible for Septic to discover them utilizing the most up-to-date camera equipment, alleviating the burden of attempting to locate them on your own. In addition, we utilize the information provided here to determine the size, placement, and installation of your septic system, as well as the orientation of your drain/leach field. 1.Confirm the existence of State Records. Depending on when your home was built and whether or not it was required to be recorded, the location of your septic tank may already be in the public property record.

Observe and evaluate the backyard Installers work hard to ensure that septic tanks are as inconspicuous as possible in your backyard.
The majority of tanks are buried 6 inches to 4 feet beneath the surface of the earth.
Tanks must be at least 5 feet away from the house, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
4.
Because of the potential dangers associated with septic tanks, they should only be handled by specialists.
Some tanks are difficult to open and can release poisonous vapors if not opened with appropriate gear.

On the top of the tank, there is frequently a hole that allows a septic pump vacuum line to be inserted, allowing the tank to be cleaned out. Septic tank excavation is not only dangerous to your health, but it may also be deadly if you fall into the tank.

Call ASAP Septic today at(208) 991-7184and see how we can help you to find your septic tank and drain/leach fieldin Mountain Home, Garden Valley, Murphy, Parma, Crouch, Caldwell, Emmett, and all surrounding areas.

Many folks have contacted me through e-mail (typically from across the nation) to inquire about the location of their septic tank. “I have no idea,” I generally say as a helpful response to the question. I really want to add something like, “It’s just off your driveway, near that bushy thing,” or anything along those lines. But, truly, even for the most experienced searchers, septic tanks are difficult to come by. The following are some strategies you might employ to assist you in locating your tank.

Precaution should be exercised before you get started.
So, proceed with caution!
Please let me know if you have any queries or need assistance.
Get to know the beast!
tanks are normally buried 4 inches to 4 feet below the surface of the ground.
You might be astonished to hear that someone knows exactly where it is hidden in plain sight.
It is against the law to dig or probe in your own yard without first locating and marking the underground services.

You will receive the following tools to aid you in your search: Measurement tape, tile probe, and a shovel (if you are ambitious) The following tools are required: a metal detector (borrow or rent one since septic tanks often include iron steel rebar in the lids), and a hoagie sandwich (because locating sewage tanks makes you hungry.trust me on this).

Examine the basement wall to see where all of the pipes join together and exit through the basement ceiling.
If you don’t have a basement, walk outdoors and check for the roof vents on your house.
Ordinarily, the sewage line that leads to the septic tank will exit the home right below this ventilation opening.
On sometimes, the ancient proverb “The grass is always greener on the other side of the septic tank” is true.

Your tank may be located by probing or digging for it, and with luck, you will locate it. Keep in mind that not everything that seems to be a septic tank actually is! It’s possible that you came upon one of the following instead:

Rubble buried in the ground (not to be confused with Barney Ruble)
SepticDrywell
An old foundation
In case you happen to live in a cemetery (which is spooky), you may use a grave vault to keep your belongings safe.

After a few hours of hopelessly digging about in your yard, it will be time to eat your hoagie and take a little sleep. Following that, it will be necessary to rent or borrow a metal detector. In the event that your next-door neighbor loves Star Wars action figures or has more than three unidentified antennae on his roof, there is a significant probability that you can borrow his metal detector. If you’re lucky, the metal detector will really assist you in finding your septic tank, rather than simply a bunch of old buried automobile parts.

According to local legend, a pumper known as “Zarzar The Incredible” can locate sewage tanks using a metal measuring tape spanning 30 feet in length.

Continue to press your commode (“commode” sounds sophisticated) tape deeper and farther down the pipes until he “feels” the bottom of the tank with his tape.

I recently acquired locate equipment that can be used to locate septic tanks, and I’m excited about it.

For further information, please contact me at 574-533-1470.

After that, you may have a movie of the inside of your sewer pipes created!

Related: Visit our Septic System Maintenance page for more information.

Services provided by Meade Septic Design Inc.

Both Clients and Projects are included.

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