Finding the Septic Tank

One of the most common calls we get is to ask me where their septic tank is located.

Seriously, septic tanks are hard to find, even for the experts. The following are some ideas you can use to help you find your tank.

Septic Tanks are usually about 4.5 feet wide x 8.0 feet long x 6 feet tall. Click on Tank Drawings to see shapes and lid locations.

Tanks are typically buried 4 inches to 4 feet deep.

Before you start your search for your favorite buried concrete block, be sure to check with past homeowners, or your local health department for a copy of the permit and plan. You may be surprised to learn that someone knows where it is located, and once you find it. Be sure and document and save. You really don't want to do this every three years.

Tools to assist in your search should include:
  A thin (3/8 to 1/2 – inch diameter) steel rod
  Measuring Tape
  Shovel - (for the ambitious)
  Metal Detector - (Borrow or rent one. Tanks usually have iron rebar in the lids.)
  Lots of liquid - (You will get thirsty)

To begin, ask yourself - "Where does the sewer exit the house?"

If you have an unfinished basement; Go downstairs and look and see where all the pipes come together and go out the basement wall. Many times your tank will be 10' - 20' outside of your house directly in front of this pipe!

If you don't have a basement, go outside and look for your roof vent. (This is a pipe that pokes up out of your roof to vent sewer gases outside). Usually, the gravity sewer pipe to the septic tank will leave the house directly below this vent. With some luck you will be able to find your septic tank straight from this point 10' to 20' out.

A green rectangle in your yard may indicate your tank's location.

Using the steel rod probe the possible areas based on the preceding.

If this does not work; get your metal detector and hope that the only metal in the area belongs to your septic tank.

If all else fails, contact your septic pumping company; they may have an electronic mouse, which can be flushed down the toilet and then tracked to the septic.