How to Find The Septic Tank - step by step how to locate septic tanks for inspection or septic tank pumping InspectAPedia® -
How to locate the septic tank at a property, a detailed, step by step procedure to find the septic tank, distribution box, and leach field
Start by asking people who may know the septic tank location; septic search safety warnings;
We continue with details of where to look for the septic tanks, septic tank covers, or septic tank cleanout lids
How to document the septic tank location
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.
Septic tank location guide: this document provides suggestions and procedures for finding a septic tank. When the septic tank needs to be pumped, a regular
maintenance task, the cost of that service will be less if the property owner found the septic tank location and perhaps even uncovered the
septic tank pumping access cover. Other reasons to find the septic tank include inspecting and testing septic systems
when buying a home or for safety, to assure that the septic tank cover is in good condition.
This very detailed article, HOW TO FIND A SEPTIC TANK, tells how to locate a septic tank when it's placement is not already known or when the location of the septic tank is not visually obvious. Also see Drainfield Location - how to find the leach fields. Videos showing how to find the septic system, septic tank, & septic drainfield are at SEPTIC VIDEOS.
If you don't know whether your property even has a septic tank, your building could be connected to a municipal sewer main. To figure this out, see Septic or Sewer Connection?
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. Reviewers and content suggestions are welcome and are credited at "References."
This document is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
Safety Warnings for People Looking for the Septic Tank
Septic System Warnings: Here are a few conditions that may be confusing or dangerous and which you should keep in mind:
Beware of old, collapsing septic systems: falling into a cesspool or septic tank is likely to be fatal. Watch out for evidence of
subsidence or sinking soil, rusted-through steel septic tank covers, home-made wooden or flimsy tank covers, or home made cesspools and
drywells which risk collapse. Dig or probe with great care and do not work alone. More guidance about safety when working on or around
septic systems can be read at Septic & Cesspool Safety Procedures.
[Thanks to Donica Ben for reminding us that there are other potential hazards such as striking a buried electrical wire.
Multiple main drains?: At a large property or a property with plumbing fixtures at widely separated portions of a building, the builder may have constructed
more than one septic system, or waste lines could leave the building from more than one location even if they go to the
same septic system. This would be uncommon in a modern home. But at a property which has been expanded, say to add an apartment
at a far end from where all of the other building plumbing exists, this is a possibility to keep in mind. Consider the age of
the building, the complexity of its layout, and the history of additions of baths or kitchens at widely separated areas
as a clue suggesting that more than one septic system or waste line may be present.
Separate drywells?: On properties which have septic drain fields (absorption systems) of limited capacity to absorb wastewater, or for
reasons of simple convenience in running drain lines, the building gray water from laundry or even sinks and showers
may be connected to a separate drywell which is not part of the main septic system. In the photo above showing a washing machine
in the foreground and the main house waste line in the basement left corner in the background, you might wonder if the
washer is connected to a separate drywell. The washing machine in the photo is obviously below the level at which
the main drain leaves the house in the distance. What simplifies finding the septic tank in the case of this photo is
that there is only one large diameter waste drain leaving the house.
Main drains are bigger: The main house drain lines will be comparatively large in diameter, a minimum of 4" (obsolete) and possibly 6" in diameter.
Individual sink or shower drains may be 1.5" or 2" in diameter. So if you can see exposed plumbing, just find the area below
a building toilet and follow that drain. Toilets must be connected to a septic system, even if other building fixtures
connect to a separate drywell. Right now we're looking for the septic tank, not a drywell.
Ask Those Who May Already Know the Septic Tank Location
ASK THE PRIOR OWNER - The Building's Most Recent Owner May Know the Septic Tank Location
When the location of a septic tank is not visually obvious (see VISUAL CLUES LOCATE TANK), ask the building's
most-recent owner the location of the septic tank. But beware, people can be mistaken, or may have forgotten, or may have never known where their septic tank is buried.
When a building owner does not know where the septic tank is located that is itself useful information. In that case, if we know how long the owner has been in the building, we know it has probably been been at least that long since the septic tank was last pumped.
When a septic tank has not been pumped
on schedule (see SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE) then even before inspecting the system we must be more pessimistic about the condition of the system and in particular,
about the remaining life of the drainfield.
ASK LOCAL SEPTIC TANK PUMPING COMPANIES - Local Septic Service Companies May Know a Septic Tank Location
In addition to asking building owners, if the age of the home means that the septic system has been present for four years or more, it
is possible that even though a current owner may not know the septic tank location, a local septic pumping company might.
It's worth a call to each
local septic pumper to ask if they've serviced the property. WARNING: don't rush to let a service company or local excavator come out to dig up the yard - it may
not be necessary and it may involve unnecessary costs.
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.
Septic Tank Location - Detailed Step by Step Procedure Explaining Exactly How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location. The steps in this article include
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.
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
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.
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
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.
InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map 
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. 
