If you have recently moved into your home, you need to know where your septic tank is for routine maintenance and repairs. You should have your septic tank pumped every three to five years to prevent solids from causing clogs and system failures. If a problem arises, like a sewage backup, knowing the tank’s location expedites the repair process. It also prevents accidental damage from landscaping or construction.

Gather Information

Start your search by checking property records. Look for the septic tank location on your property’s original plans or permits. Ask your neighbors as well. They may know where it is, especially if they’ve lived there for a long time. You can also go to your basement or crawl space and find the main sewer pipe that leaves your house. This pipe is usually about 4 inches in diameter.

Look for Clues

Once you locate the sewer line’s exit point, follow its straight path out into your yard. Insert a metal probe every foot or so. You’re looking for the hard surface of the tank or its lid.

Areas where your grass is lusher can indicate the presence of the septic tank beneath the surface. Also, a large divot or hill can sometimes mark the location of the original excavation for the tank.

Identify the Lid

When probing, listen for a thud. You’ll feel the probe hit something solid when you find the tank lid, and you’ll hear a distinct sound. A metal detector can be helpful if you have a steel tank, but it won’t work for plastic or fiberglass ones.

Consult a Professional

A professional will use specialized electronic tools to find your septic tank. They may utilize a ground-penetrating radar to send signals into the ground. These signals bounce back to reveal the precise location and shape of the underground tank.

Electromagnetic locators are also used to detect underground structures and can accurately pinpoint the tank’s position without disrupting your property. If none of these methods work, they can send a camera with a location device down the pipes to find your tank.

Fall is a good time to look for your septic tank since the soil conditions are ideal for digging. The ground is neither frozen nor oversaturated with rain. Additionally, the warmth generated by the septic system’s internal process can create a slightly warmer area above the tank. This makes it easier to locate in the cooler fall weather. For help finding your septic tank’s location, call Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co in Greensboro, NC today.