InspectAPedia ^®

How to Find & Use Records to Locate the Septic Drainfield InspectAPedia®  -

• How to find the septic drainfield or leach field
• How to use records of septic locations, whom to ask

This article and our accompanying septic system location videos explains how to find the leach field or drainfield portion of a septic system. We include sketches and photos that help you learn what to look for, and we describe several methods useful for finding buried drainfield components. (Septic drain fields are also called soil absorption systems or seepage beds.) Also see How to Find the Septic Tank. More videos on septic system location & maintenance are at SEPTIC VIDEOS.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical reviewers and content suggestions are welcome and are credited at "References."

This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links 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.

How to Use Septic System Records to Find the Drainfield - Whom to Ask - How to Find the Septic Leach Fields - Part 3

Finding a hidden, buried septic component: Since the septic system's drainfield is normally a buried system, knowing just where it is located can be tricky.

Since haphazard excavation by hand is an enormous labor and haphazard excavation by backhoe can unnecessarily destroy both a septic system and homesite, making a sketch of just where a septic tank, distribution box, and drainfield trenches or pits are located is an important document to prepare and keep with a property.

Older properties: If the property is an older one but you are a new owner, you might find that the previous owner left a drawing or sketch of the location of septic system components. Ask the owner to leave any sketches with you; if they don't have a sketch but have an idea where septic components are, walk the property with them and make your own sketch.

Often we find a rough sketch of septic system component locations, at least that of the septic tank, drawn right on a basement or crawl space foundation wall or floor joist overhead where the building sewer line exits the foundation wall.

A previous service person or contractor knew that that was a reliable place to leave a drawing since anyone looking for the system in the future was likely to start by finding where the sewer line left the building.

Septic Drawings may be inaccurate: A septic system drawing is a big help, though it may be inaccurate. Even if septic system and drainfield layout drawings were filed, the "as built" drain field may not quite be the same as the plan filed since obstructions can be discovered during drain field installation. If the excavator hit unexpected bedrock, boulders, or water, may have adjusted the final location of various components to work better at the site.

The sketch at left uses a simple but accurate measurement triangle to locate the center of the septic tank.

The sketch at left shows that giving accurate location of septic components needs simply the identification of key components and distances. It does not have to be beautiful, to scale, nor expensive. How to Measure the Distance From the House to the Septic Tank gives details of making a septic location sketch.

Don't count on the local health department or building department to have drawings that accurately place the fields. As we explained above, the "as built" may not be the same septic plan as the "as approved".

One municipality we encountered had deliberately destroyed 50 years of septic and other building plan documents because they were tired of being pestered by homeowners wanting that information and then complaining when it proved inaccurate.

Try calling local septic system installation contractors in your area to ask if they have done work on the property.

Speak with contractors listed under Excavation, Plumbing, and Septic System Service since the excavator who has installed or worked on the property of your concern might be listed under one but not all of those categories. Neighbors may also know who has worked on septic system installations or repairs in the area.

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also list books on the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
• Technical reviewers are invited to comment or ask questions - contact us

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
  Why Look For the Drainfield?
  Using Septic System Records
  Where to Look
  Areas Not Likely
  Locate Piping Precisely
  Excavating to find Drainfield
  Surprising Leachfield Locations
  SEPTIC VIDEOS show how to find the drainfield and tank

Detailed Guide for Finding Other Septic System Components

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Septic System Information Website home page for septic system design, installation, maintenance, repair
• Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
• Septic Drainfields, Leach beds, Drwells, Absorption Systems
  • Absorption Field Design size and specifications for leach fields, absorption beds, gravelless systems, seepage pits
  • How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
  • Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
  • Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
  • Table of Required Septic Tank, Drainfield, & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
  • Septic System DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
• Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• How to Measure the Distance From the House to the Septic Tank gives details of making a septic location sketch.
• Distribution Box design, inspection, testing, and maintenance of the septic system D-box

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting