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Septic Tank or Pipe Locating Equipment Guide
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to find the septic tank using simple tools or more sophisticated electronic equipment or cameras for locating septic tanks & piping.
Septic tank locating equipment:
This document suggests & describes some simple tools and devices used for finding a septic tank. This article tells assists in finding the septic tank when it's placement is not already known or when the location of the septic tank is not visually obvious.
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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Tools & Equipmentto Find the Septic Tank
Below we describe septic tank locating tools & equipment. If you have not read our more basic guide to finding your way to the septic tank by visual inspection,
see SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND .
Watch out: do not try to probe or excavate a septic tank, drywell, or cesspool if you are not certain that the installation has a save, secure cover. Probing or digging over a failing septic tank or cesspool or drywall can precipitate a fatal cave-in of the system.
Our photo, left, illustrates a secure concrete septic tank cover whose location is being measured to assist future location efforts.
- A simple septic tank locating probe such as a 1/4" steel rod or a heavier steel wrecking bar are used by some inspectors or septic service companies
to probe the ground over a suspected septic tank location.
Watch out: jamming a heavy wrecking bar into the soil can perforate a steel septic tank cover or break a terra cotta - or ORANGEBURG PIPE septic drain line.
These methods can however be useful if used carefully in soft or wet soils. (In a related septic application, the examination of septic fields, we've used a wrecking bar to make holes in a drainfield not right over a drain line, in order to look at soil conditions.
A failing septic may send effluent right up to the surface through such an opening.) - A shovel is a low tech and high sweat method of finding any buried object if you have a general idea where to look.
At our first septic tank search in 1969 our contractor used a backhoe to "find" the septic tank. He "found" it alright, by driving over and collapsing an old steel septic tank. I wished we'd started more gently with a shovel. - Metal detectors can find some septic tanks if the tank top is steel or if a steel manhole cover was used to cover the tank access port. [Thanks to David Liberman for this reminder - July 2007].
- Electronic Drain Pipe Sensor to find the septic tank: The septic tank can be located exactly electronically: Some plumbing contractors can at this point
find the exact septic tank location by using a special plumbing snake fed into the main house drain line.
The plumbing snake is pushed into the drain line from an convenient location and extended until it hits an obstruction which may be an obstruction in the drain line or it may be that the snake has extended into and hit the septic tank. An electronic signal is fed into the metal plumbing snake.
From outside, a receiver can sense the signal from the plumbing snake. By passing the receiver, a sort of electronic metal detector, over the property surface, the exact path of the snake in the buried drain line can be followed right to the tank.
See details at DRAINFIELD PIPE LOCATION, PRECISE - Ground scanning radar to find the septic tank: radar can locate buried septic tanks, buried oil tanks, and other objects below the soil.
Companies providing buried oil tank location services often can provide this (more expensive) service.
Warning about using metal detectors or electronic pipe sensors to find Septic Tanks
Metal detectors or probes which mark the path of an underground pipe are excellent and rapid ways to locate buried drain and septic system components. But at an old property we've had an occasional glitch that was potentially dangerous. Older properties sometimes have multiple generations of buried wires and pipes which can lead to an error in the readings from buried pipe or buried septic tank sensors.
We called our local gas company to locate a buried gas line.
Clipping a sending unit to a pipe at the gas meter the technician proceeded to paint a yellow line across our (then frozen) soil. He said that his yellow mark was accurate to an inch in marking the exact pipe location.
Using a jackhammer to break frozen soil to locate a water pipe we began digging 18" away from the yellow line marking the gas line. As you might guess, we found the gas line itself right where we were digging! Further investigation found that an old steel water pipe running parallel to the current and parallel to the gas line had caused an 18" error in the readings from the buried pipe sensing equipment.
Watch out: Do not use backhoes, wrecking bars, or jackhammers to excavate where dangerous utilities may be buried. If you call your local gas or electric utility company they will be glad to send an expert to your site to mark the location of buried electrical and gas lines that may be present.
Videos showing how to find the septic system, septic tank, & septic drainfield are included
...
Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above
Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.
Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs
On 2019-10-02 - by (mod) -
Apologies but I don't know what is meant by dry tank
On 2019-10-02 by mike
i know where septic tank is but cannot find dry tank my house built in the 1960's. half to find for health department due to i want to put up car awning for camper
On 2019-07-17 - by (mod) -
CB
To know the *exact* location of inlet and outlet of a septic tank you have to
1. find the tank
2. uncover the risers or cleanout openings _ depending on tank type and size there may be 2 or even three or more
3. make accurate measurements from the center, edges, or other chosen point of the tank tank cover to a reference point or better, a pair of reference points so that in the future if the tank accesses are covered over and not obvious one can locate them exactly again.
I usually measure from the closest corners of the building and make a drawing for future reference.
Nobody can tell you the exact location of inlet and outlet of a tank that is buried until such measurements have been made.
The article above details those measurement procedures.
On 2019-07-17 by CB RAJAN
I want to know the exact location of inlet and outlet of safety tank
On 2017-08-29 - by (mod) -
If you can locate the site where in RV was parked, then you can figure that the septic hookup would be close to the edge of the actual RV rectangle. You might need to work backwards by locating the septic tank. At the septic tank a plumber can insert a buried drain tracing cable and use an above-ground detector to trace the route of the piping.
On 2017-08-29 by Keith
I am trying to locate septic system on bare ground. There were two rvs years ago but hookups cannot be found. Any suggestions. Ground is hard!
On 2017-02-15 by ed
i acquired property i do not know where the septic tank is...a septic line goes down into a cement pad how do i find the septic tank
...
Continue reading at SEPTIC TANK LOCATION SKETCH or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX .
Or see these
Recommended Articles
- SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES
- SEPTIC D-BOX INSTALL, LOCATE, REPAIR
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE
- SEPTIC TANK COVERS
- SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
- DISTANCE TO SEPTIC TANK
- FIND MAIN WASTE LINE EXIT
- POSSIBLE SEPTIC TANK LOCATIONS
- SEPTIC TANK COVERS
- SEPTIC TANK DEPTH
- SEPTIC TANK DESIGN DEPTH
- SEPTIC TANK LOCATING EQUIPMENT
- SEPTIC TANK LOCATION SKETCH
- SEPTIC TANK RISERS
- SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT
- SEPTIC TROUBLE SIGNS, OTHER
- SOAKBED SOIL CONDITIONS
- SEPTIC LOCATION VIDEO
- VISUAL CLUES LOCATE the SEPTIC TANK
- WHO KNOWS SEPTIC LOCATION?
- SEPTIC TANK RISERS
Suggested citation for this web page
SEPTIC TANK LOCATING EQUIPMENT 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.
- New York State Department of Health, APPENDIX 75-A WASTEWATER TREATMENT STANDARDS - INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMS , [PDF] New York State Department of Health, 3 February 2010, retrieved 3/1/2010, original source: https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/nycrr/title_10/part_75/appendix_75-a.htm
- 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
- Clogged Drain Diagnosis - is the problem the septic system or the Building drain system?
Septic Tank Safety: Septic System, Septic Tank, & Cesspool Safety Warnings for Septic Inspectors, Septic Pumpers, and Homeowners - Septic Tank Condition - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SHAPE : septic drainfield or leaching bed shape and placement considerations
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION : how to find the septic drain field or leaching bed
- Drainfield Inspection Procedure Septic Leach Fields - how to inspect and diagnose septic drainfield failure
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- SEPTIC TANK CAPACITY VS USAGE in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- SEPTIC TANK/SOIL-ABSORPTION SYSTEMS: HOW TO OPERATE & MAINTAIN [PDF] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins; Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association, describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology. Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers, consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain, Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Planting Over Septic System Component ", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com ), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF. Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association - Wells and Septic System, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF. Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) now (2019/12/13) hosted at http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ Tel: 304-293-4191 e-mail info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu.
he National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help America's small communities and individuals solve their wastewater problems through objective information about onsite wastewater collection and treatment systems. NSFC products and information are the only national resource of its type, dealing with small community wastewater infrastructure. or by telephone 800-624-8301
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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