Septic Tank or Pipe Locating Equipment Guide InspectAPedia® -
Septic Tank or Pipe Locating Equipment Guide
How to locate the septic tank at a property, as step by step procedure to find any septic tank
Using metal detector, electronic pipe tracers, and probes to find the septic tank
Questions & answers about how to find the septic tank using simple tools or more sophisticated electronic equipment or cameras
How to find the septic tank: Septic tank location guide: this document suggests simple tools and devices used for finding a septic tank.
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This article tells assists in finding the septic tank when it's placement is not already known or when the location of the septic tank is not visually obvious.
Videos showing how to find the septic system, septic tank, & septic drainfield are at SEPTIC VIDEOS. Also see SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION - how to find the leach fields.
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to the author. This article is part of our series: Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
SEPTIC TANK LOCATING EQUIPMENT - These Simple and More Special Tools & Equipment Can Help Locate A Septic Tank
A simple septic tank locating probe such as a 1/4" steel rod or a heavier steel wrecking bar are used by some inspectors or septic service companies
to probe the ground over a suspected septic tank location. Be careful since jamming a heavy wrecking bar into the soil can
perforate a steel septic tank cover or break a terra cotta or orangeburg septic drain line.
These methods can however be useful if
used carefully in soft or wet soils. (In a related septic application, the examination of septic fields, we've used a wrecking bar to make holes in a drainfield not right over a drain line,
in order to look at soil conditions. A failing septic may send effluent right up to the surface through such an opening.)
A shovel is a low tech and high sweat method of finding any buried object if you have a general idea where to look. At our first
septic tank search in 1969 our contractor used a backhoe to "find" the septic tank. He "found" it alright, by driving over and
collapsing an old steel septic tank. I wished we'd started more gently with a shovel.
Metal detectors can find some septic tanks if the tank top is steel or if a steel manhole cover was used to cover
the tank access port. [Thanks to David Liberman for this reminder - July 2007].
Electronic Drain Pipe Sensor to find the septic tank: The septic tank can be located exactly electronically: Some plumbing contractors can at this point
find the exact septic tank location by using a special plumbing snake fed into the main house drain line.
The plumbing snake is pushed into the drain line from an convenient location and extended until it hits an obstruction which may be
an obstruction in the drain line or it may be that the snake has extended into and hit the septic tank.
An electronic
signal is fed into the metal plumbing snake.
From outside, a receiver can sense the signal from the plumbing snake. By passing
the receiver, a sort of electronic metal detector, over the property surface, the exact path of the snake in the buried
drain line can be followed right to the tank.
Ground scanning radar to find the septic tank: radar can locate buried septic tanks, buried oil tanks, and other objects below the soil. Companies
providing buried oil tank location services often can provide this (more expensive) service.
Warning about using metal detectors or electronic pipe sensors to find Septic Tanks
Metal detectors or probes which mark the path of an underground pipe are excellent and rapid ways to locate buried drain and
septic system components. But at an old property we've had an occasional glitch that was potentially dangerous. Older
properties sometimes have multiple generations of buried wires and pipes which can lead to an error in the
readings from buried pipe or buried septic tank sensors.
We called our local gas company to locate a buried gas line. Clipping a sending unit to a pipe at the gas meter
the technician proceeded to paint a yellow line across our (then frozen) soil. He said that his yellow mark was
accurate to an inch in marking the exact pipe location.
Using a jackhammer to break frozen soil to locate a water pipe we began digging 18" away from the yellow
line marking the gas line. As you might guess, we found the gas line itself right where we were digging! Further
investigation found that an old steel water pipe running parallel to the current and parallel to the gas line had
caused an 18" error in the readings from the buried pipe sensing equipment.
Safety Warning: Do not use backhoes, wrecking bars, or jackhammers to excavate where dangerous utilities may be buried. If you call your local gas or electric utility company they will be glad to send an expert to your site to mark the location of buried electrical and gas lines that may be present.
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about how to find the septic tank using simple tools or more sophisticated electronic equipment or cameras
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Thanks to Donica Ben
who points out the danger of digging into buried electrical wires (11/11/07) as we discuss further at Septic & Cesspool Safety Procedures
Clogged Drain Diagnosis - is the problem the septic system or the Building drain system? Septic Tank Safety: Septic System, Septic Tank, & Cesspool Safety Warnings for Septic Inspectors, Septic Pumpers, and Homeowners
Septic Tank Condition - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure
Drainfield Layout: septic drainfield or leaching bed shape and placement considerations
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF.
AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. (DF volunteers to serve as indexer if Burks/Minnis re-publish this very useful volume.)While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference
for both property owners and septic system designers. We refer to it often.
While Minnis says the best place to buy this book is at Amazon (our link at left), you can also see this book at Minnis' website at http://web page .pace.edu/MMinnisbook
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
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