Have you moved into a home that has a septic tank, but never needed to have the tank pumped? If so, the day will come when you need to access the septic tank to remove all of the solid waste. However, many septic tank companies charge you to locate the tank and excavate the ground to access the opening. Rather than pay someone to do this job for you, know that it is simple to do on your own. Here are some tips for finding that septic tank buried in your yard.
Gather The Right Tools
You only need a few tools in order to find your septic tank and access the opening. A shovel is one tool that is quite obvious, but you'll need to have a soil probe as well. A soil tube is essentially a long rod with a handle on it that you can use to probe the ground for the septic tank.
Learn What A Septic Tank Looks Like
Have you ever seen what a septic tank looks like before? If not, now is a good idea to do some research to know what you are going to be looking for. Look up photos of septic tanks so you can get a general idea of the size of the septic tank in terms of width and length, and where the opening is located. While the tanks are typically rectangular in size, seeing one is going to help you identify it underground.
Look For Clues
There are many clues that can tell you which part of the yard the septic tank is buried. Start by going into your home and look at where the sewer pipe leaves your home. There is likely a straight shot from this pipe to your septic tank, which will give you a general idea of which strip of land to look in. The septic tank should be at least 10 feet away from your home as well, so start there. You may also notice green grass around the area where the septic tank is buried.
Probe The Lawn
Use the soil probe by pushing it into the soil to see if you hit the tank. It will take some trial and error, but you'll eventually be able to outline the location of the tank by probing the ground until you feel something solid. You can mark it off the outline of the tank with spray paint or small stakes.
Find The Opening
The opening should be located in the center of the side of the septic tank that faces the house, which is closest to where the pipe comes into the tank. Dig down in this area until you find what looks like a small manhole cover. This is the opening to the tank that will be used for cleaning.
Reach out to a company like Mr Bob for more help.