What is the simplest way to locate a septic tank (without digging up the yard)?
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there is a clean out trap located close to the house (white PVC) this pipe should be exposed, the tank is usually located 15 to 25 feet in front of the clean out pipe, grass is usually thicker and greener over a tank, use a long thin metal rod, push in ground, and if you hear a dull sound, that's it
Throw some marijuana seeds out all over the yard, the ones that grow healthy and happy...there's your tank!!
Go into the basement and follow the pipe thru the wall. The septic tank should be within 50 feet of the house. Chances are if the house is old enough the line is cast iron and a metal detector may be able to follow it.
This is not sure fired but worth a try. Go to the clean out in the soil pipe where it leaves the house and feed a snake into it. When it hits the far side of the septic tank, you should get some resistance, but not a lot. The length of the snake it the pipe should give you some idea about how far straight from the house to dig. The pipe does not necessarily have to be straight so this may not work.
It sounds like black magic, but I have seen a divining rod work to find underground cavities too.
I know this isn't the right time of year, but the snow always melts over our septic tank first. Think back to the spring when the snow was melting (if you live in a area that gets snow) and try to remember if there is an area where the snow always melted first. Other than that, the tank is most probably located in a straight line from where the household sewage line leaves the house. A more expensive solution is to get a plumber with a camera snake and have it run through the clean out in the house to see how far it is to the tank. It all depends on how much you want to spend to solve the question.
If you have no idea in the world where it is and have a slab foundation,start in back yard,look for 2 or 3 lines of heavy dark green grass,thats the "field" lines.tank should be between the lines and house.Use a under\ground probe(steel rod with handle about 3 to 4 ft long) and probe til you feel tank lid.George
If you have a copy of the survey, it should be noted on there. If you don't, you can easily check with your town or county (wherever building permits are filed). This way you know for sure exactly where the septic tank is located.
Bend a 2 ft metal rod, so that you have an L shape, with the small end used as a handle. Hold the rod horizontally, in front of you, loosely holding it with the "handle". Walk slowly in the direction you think the septic tank should be. The rod will turn in the direction of water- so should not pick up your sewer line, which should be empty, but should pick up your tank. You can test it by walking across the water supply line between your meter and house, or well and house until you get the hang of "divining". Most people can do it.
The simplest way is to rent,borrow or buy a metal detector Or BUY A PIECE OF METAL RE-BAR from your local hardware store & start tapping in 3 foot increments out to your property line. You will notice a change in the sound of the dirt when you are over the tank! Hollow thud sound. Push the rod into the ground & see if you hit metal! Then dig.
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