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LARGER VIEW of
septic dye breakout at a basement entry from a failed septic system buried below a driveway during conduct of a septic loading and dye test
- an expert can find clues and perform tests that reduce risk of a costly surprise How & Where to Look for Septic System Components: tank, D-box, drainfield

This septic system inspection article explains where to look for and how to locate septic system components for any purpose such as inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting or repair, or as part of the Septic Loading and Dye Test procedure for testing the function of septic systems.

Our page top photo shows a recently-created pile of rocky soil pushed against trees and over the "septic tank" location at a rural property. This act of burying the septic tank right before the inspection raised an immediate concern about just what was installed at the property.

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LOOK FOR SEPTIC COMPONENTS

Where, When, How Look for Septic System Components as Part of a Septic System Inspection & Test Procedure

The failed soil absorption system (drainfield) for this system was promptly found simply by climbing over this rock-pile and looking over the edge of the hill. More photos of this troubled septic system and places to look for septic system components are described below.

How to Find the Septic Tank

See these articles for one or more methods that will locate the septic tank, cesspool, drywell, seepage pit:

How to Find the Septic D_box - Distribution Box

How to Find the Septic Drainfields or Leaching Beds or Soakaway Pits

See these articles for details on fiding the septic drainfield by one or more of these methods:

These pages are part of our SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE for testing septic system function. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers are listed atReferences or Citations . Comments and suggestions for content are welcome.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-04-05 - by (mod) - Can’t seem to locate my distribution box for my septic system.

Aaron

I'll be glad to help.

Let's start over at SEPTIC D-BOX INSTALL, LOCATE, REPAIR

where I discuss finding the distribution box.

Take a look at those suggestions, then follow up with me with questions or an update.

On 2020-04-05 by Aaron

Can’t seem to locate my distribution box for my septic system. Anyone have any ideas please share as my yard now looks like a massive quarry in that I’ve been digging to try and find my D- box with no success.

On 2019-09-28 by (mod) - Minimum distance home to septic

Joe I'll be glad to help but need a more specific question: what? house distance to Septic tank, piping, D-box or drainfields?

Better yet just click over to our detailed septic system clearance numbers found by using the Search box just above to find CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM at https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Clearance_Distances.php

On 2019-09-28 1 by Joe

Minimum distance home to septic

On 2017-04-17 - by (mod) - dig up and check D box for clogs.

Steve

Digging at the D-box is a nice step because it's easy and diagnostic compared with digging up individual drainfield lines.

If you can open the D-box you might see that (if you're lucky) one line is backing up into the box and thence to the septic tank and you might temporarily block that line off.

But if multiple lines are backing up at the Dbox the drainfield is flooded, either from clogging failure or because surface runoff that should have been kept away is flooding the field.

I would inspect the rest of the drainfield area for signs of effluent break-out;

You could also have a plumber run a camera down the drainfield lines to see if they've collapsed or broken; if not we're back to my diagnosis above and sadly it's new drainfield time.

On 2017-04-17 by Steve

My septic backed up in to my yard at the clean out cap, It was suggested that I dig up and check D box for clogs.

I was digging and exposed about a 12" x 12" section of D box and water started coming up from that area and covered box, the water hasn't gone down yet. Any suggestions?

On 2015-06-24 - by (mod) - regulation of distance of septic sprinklers to our shared property line?

Leah

Good question, and one for your local building department. Most jurisdictions require a setback of various septic components from property lines but the exact distance varies by juridiction and by component type.

On 2015-06-23 by Leah

New neighbors are moving sprinklers close to our shared property line. What is the regulation of distance of septic sprinklers to our shared property line?


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SEPTIC COMPONENT LOCATIONS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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Citations & References

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