Where is my septic tank

When no one knows where the septic tank is located to me that suggests that no one has been doing the required regular maintenance of pumping the septic tank. When we never pump the septic tank we shorten the life of the drainfield.

I wanted to plant flowers outside my bedroom window, I stuck my shovel in the ground and hit a solid object only six inches down. Using a probe it appears to be appr. Certainly, Brian, particularly in older towns. In fact we have inspected homes in areas where there is municipal sewer but found cases in which - the home was never connected to the sewer and still is on private septic and also cases in which - the home had a septic, was later connected to sewer, but the septic tank was left in place and not properly abandoned - this forming a safety hazard.

I have city sewer, is it possible to have an old septic on my property still? The home is owned by a company and the disclosure is basically worthless. One, concrete, I assumed was a septic? The other looks like a sewer manhole cover. So I guess my questions are Or is it connected to a city system? If not Jenna thank you for asking about how to figure out if a home is connected to public sewer or private septic - it's not an ignorant question; the only ignorant step would be failing to ask.

A call to your city's building or water or sewer department can sometimes close the question immediately: ask if there is public sewer available to homes on your street. The square concrete on the ground in your photo looks like a septic tank access port and marks a common and reasonable location for a septic tank near you rhome - but could be something else.

It is common for a septic tank to be close to the house, perhaps 10 feet from the foundation. Watch out: at any unknown property where there may be a septic tank of unknown condition there's a risk of falling into a tank or even being overcome by fumes.

Never work alone, and never lean over the septic opening, nor step onto a questionable tank cover. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay. Just ask us! Search the InspectApedia website. Comment Form is loading comments Robillard and Kelli S. Jantrania, Mark A. Anish Jantrania, Ph. Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives.

Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction.

Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations.

If you still can not locate your septic tank, call in a professional! They will be able to assist and advise if you have one and, if you do, where it is located.

So, after all this, why should you even know where your septic tank is located? There are a few key reasons why knowing where your septic tank is, is important:. If you would like some more assistance with your septic tank, or are considering installing a septic tank at your home, give Express Wastewater Solutions a call on today.

Try our search below for more information relating to septic, sewage and wastewater systems. Because we are not a manufacturer and not tied to one particular system we can always offer the best solution for your wastewater needs.

Because we do this every day we have developed a close knit expert team for every step of the process — from plans and council paperwork to excavations, electrical and plumbing. We handle it all to make the whole process as stress free and quick as possible. First, though, it helps to understand what a septic tank and septic system do and why it is a good idea to know where yours is located.

The location of your septic tank is not a secret. There's going to be a way for you to find it and note its location for future reference, and here are a few of them. A septic tank is a crucial part of a home's septic system. In the U. Septic systems are most commonly found in the Eastern U. When houses are few and far between, it is often more efficient and economical to use a septic system to manage wastewater than it is to use a public sewer system.

When a septic system is in place, wastewater leaves the home and travels along the main drain pipe to the septic tank.

A septic tank is a container that is watertight and is usually made of a material such as concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass. Often, the tank is buried underground. The job of a septic tank is to hold onto the wastewater until any solids in the water separate from it. The solids sink to the bottom of the tank while anything that is less dense than water, such as grease and oil, floats to the top.

Eventually, any remaining liquid, known as "effluent," exits the tank, where it drains into a leach field or drainfield. The soil in the leach field helps to filter the water and remove any bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from it.

Septic tanks installed in Onondaga County need to have inlet and outlet baffles, an effluent filter or sanitary tees installed to separate the solids from the liquids. How do you know if your home has a septic tank? There are usually a few ways to tell. One way to determine whether or not your home has a septic system or is served by the public sewer system is to look at your water bill.

Of course, if you have a septic system, it is possible that you will not get a water bill at all. That is because, in many cases, people with septic systems also have well water. If the water line that comes into your home has no meter attached to it, that is usually a sign that you are using well water and not public utility water. Your home's location can also help you figure out whether or not you have a septic system and tank or are using public sewer facilities.

If you live in a fairly rural area, there is a high likelihood that your home is served by a septic system. If you still are not sure, you can talk to your neighbors. If they all have septic systems, then your home likely does as well. In some cases, there might be visual signs you have a septic tank. Often, when a septic tank is present, there is also a mound or small hill that is not a naturally occurring formation.

It was created with the installation of the leach field and septic tank. A surefire way to confirm whether or not your home has a septic system is to check your property records.

It is likely that the building permit and blueprints for your home and property will contain information about the presence or lack of a septic tank.

Why should you bother to figure out the location of your septic tank? There are a few significant reasons:. The first reason why you want to find your septic tank is that knowing its location allows you to maintain and care for it properly. The usual recommendation is not to build or place heavy items on top of the septic tank.

For example, you don't want to park your car or truck there, nor do you want visitors to your home to park their vehicles on top of it. The weight of the cars might put too much pressure on the tank and cause it to collapse. If you plan on adding on to your house or hope to do some landscaping around your property, you need to know the location of your septic tank.

You want to avoid planting anything with deep or long roots on top of or in the vicinity of your tank. If your house is an acreage property or is located in a rural area, you very likely have a septic tank or a waste water treatment system.

The vast majority of septic tanks are standard L concrete tanks. They have a round concrete top with a large lid in the centre and two tiny lids on the sides.

Occasionally, although these tanks may have had the lid replaced or modified. In this case, they may be covered by a square of checkerplate bolted down or another type of customized lid.

A small number of septic tanks are larger L tanks. They look similar to the L tanks, but the lids are larger. There are also some very old septic tanks which have large rectangle concrete lids. Please visit our Waste Water Treatment Plant page for more information.