How to record the location of the septic tank so that it can be located again in the future for pumping, inspection, or maintenance.

This article explains how to measure-off and write down the exact septic tank location (or the location of other buried septic system components.

Writing down the septic tank location can save trouble and cost when septic system components need to be serviced or repaired in the future.

How to Measure, Sketch, & Record the Location of a Septic Tank (so that it can be found again)

This septic tank pumpout article series provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks, how a conventional septic tank is located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected.

When the septic tank has been located and its cleanout port found, if one does not already exist, make a drawing showing just where the tank is located to assist the owner/septic service company in the future.

The photo above shows how we measured from a nearby garage wall to the septic tank cleanout cover.

We measured at a right angle to the garage wall the distance from the wall to the center of the cleanout cover.

We recorded that distance (in this case, 78 inches).

More details about how we measured and documented the septic tank location and the precise spot of the septic tank cleanout openings are just below.

Then we measured from the garage rear corner to the point along the wall from which we measured out from wall to tank (in this case, 90 inches.) Since the garage is a fixed site feature, we can easily locate the septic tank cleanout cover again with just these two numbers.

We also buried a square of yellow plastic right at the tank cover so that when excavating it in the future we'll readily see that we've found the right location.

Finally, having recorded the septic tank cleanout cover location, we covered the septic tank cleanout access port with several inches of top soil and re-seeded with grass seed.

"Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank" provides additional explanation and illustration of recording the location of septic system components.

Advising Owners About Septic Tank Conditions and Safety Hazards

Tank and Field Conditions: Inform the owner of the condition of the septic tank and of any indications of leach field failure such as back flow into the tank during pump-down or damaged baffles.

Inform the owner of the approximate level of sludge and scum found in the tank. This information assists in determining the actual tank pumping frequency needed for the property.

Inform the owner if obvious clearance violations were observed between the tank and other site features such as a nearby well - health hazards may be present.

The photo shows the septic service operator recording the results of the septic cleanout on the client's bill.

In addition to telling the client orally of any unsafe or other important conditions observed, the operator must provide exactly the same information in writing. Writing this data clearly on the invoice is often sufficient.

See SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES.

Watch out: Safety: If immediately dangerous conditions exist, such as a missing or unsafe septic tank cover or a collapsing or risk-of-collapsing septic tank, seepage pit, drywell, or cesspool are observed, the operator should close off and prevent access to the area and notify the appropriate people including property occupants, owners, and authorities.

Provide the results of what was learned during septic tank pumpout and issue any appropriate Safety Warnings to Owners

This guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care.

Below at in the form of individual detailed articles are the Steps in Septic Tank Cleaning Procedure in the order that they should be performed

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Continue reading  at SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Pumping Procedure & Pumper Truck Operation Articles

• SEPTIC COMPONENT LOCATIONS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  • CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
  • WHEN to CLEAN THE SEPTIC TANK
  • WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
  • FIND the SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO
  • HOW TO OPEN a SEPTIC TANK
  • INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
  • SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
  • SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE
  • PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE
  • PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK
  • RECORD SEPTIC TANK LOCATION
  • SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS
• SEPTIC TANK SAFETY

Suggested citation for this web page

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

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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