

Using a thin metal stake as a probe, follow the pipeline, probing the soil every 2 feet or so. Make a note of where the pipe exits the wall, then go outside to the area where the pipe exits into the yard. This station will then pump the home’s sewage up close to grade and then to the septic tank. If you have a finished basement in your home this can often mean that the septic tank would have to go quite deep in the ground, to prevent these great depths of septic tanks a sump pump or sump station is often used. The easiest way to find your septic tank is to follow the pipes that come out of your home and extend into your yard.įirst, you will need to find the main sewer outlet pipe, a 4-inch diameter pipe which will most likely be found in your basement or in the crawl space under your home. You can keep your newly created map on file to give to the next homeowner should you wish to sell your property in the future, but first, you have to have some fun searching for your septic tank. If you are unable to find a map or diagram pinpointing the location of your septic tank, it may be worthwhile to create your own. If you have purchased an older home, the information available may be sketchy at best, or there may not be any records available on file at all. If not, it may be available from your local health department, who typically keep septic system records on file, or alternatively, your municipality may have a property survey map that might indicate the location of your septic tank. If you have recently purchased the property, the septic tank map/diagram should be included with the house plans and inspection paperwork.

This is the easiest way to find your septic tank, as it will indicate exactly where the tank and drain field is located on the property. Here are a few simple and practical methods you can use to help locate your septic tank: 1. While it may sometimes be tricky to locate your septic tank, since its whereabouts is not meant to be a big secret, there are going to be ways and means for you find out where exactly it is located. Microbes on or near the soil treat the effluent.How to Find Where Your Septic Tank is Located Inside the chambers, the wastewater comes into contact with the soil. Pipes carry wastewater from the septic tank to the chambers. The area around and above the chambers is filled with soil.
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This type of system consists of a series of connected chambers. They are also well suited to areas with high groundwater tables, where the volume of influent to the septic system is variable (e.g., at a vacation home or seasonal inn), in an area where gravel is scarce, or in areas where other technologies such as plastic chambers are readily available. The primary advantage of the chamber system is increased ease of delivery and construction. The chamber system serves as an alternative design to the gravel/stone system. The gravelless systems can be manufactured with recycled materials and offer a significant savings in carbon footprint.Īn example of a gravelless system is the chamber system. They take many forms, including open-bottom chambers, fabric-wrapped pipe, and synthetic materials such as expanded polystyrene media.

Gravelless drainfields have been widely used for over 30 years in many states and have become a conventional technology replacing gravel systems. The solids stay in the tank while the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield for further treatment and dispersal. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank while greases and lighter solids float to the top. More detailed information on specific technologies can be found in Fact Sheets.Ī septic tank is a buried, watertight tank designated and constructed to receive and partially treat raw domestic sanitary wastewater. See below for illustrations and descriptions of various types of conventional and alternative septic systems. The list is not all-inclusive there are many other types of septic systems. Below are ten of the most common types of septic systems used, followed by illustrations and descriptions of each system. These factors include household size, soil type, site slope, lot size, proximity to sensitive water bodies, weather conditions, or even local regulations. The design and size of a septic system can vary widely, from within your neighborhood to across the country, due to a combination of factors.
