LOCATING A SEPTIC SYSTEM
By Brad Lee, PhD, CPSS
University of Kentucky Associate Extension Specialist
A septic system is commonly made up of two main parts, a septic tank and a soil absorption field. A network of underground pipes via a distribution box or a manifold connects these two parts. Often when new homeowners with little rural living experience move into a house outside of centralized sewer they are unaware they have a septic system and have little idea of where that system is located. It is important for rural homeowners to understand they are responsible for operating and maintaining their septic systems in a safe manner. The first step in knowing how to operate and maintain their septic system is to know where their septic system is and what type of system they have.
Steps to locate your septic tank
Step 1: Obtain a copy of the “as-built” diagram of the septic system
All modern septic systems are required by law to have an “as built” drawing with components and distances from benchmarks noted on the drawing. A copy of this information may be with the information you received when you purchased the house. Alternatively, contact the local health department to determine if they have this information. Once you obtain this information, contact an authorized septic system inspector or septage pumper to service the septic system. If this information is not available, proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Find the sewer outlet pipe
If your home is on a crawl space or has a basement, you should be able to find sewage pipe leaving the building through an exterior wall a few feet below the ground surface. The sewer pipe leaving the house typically is in a straight line to the septic tank. The septic tank is commonly within 10 feet of the foundation.
Step 3: Locate the septic tank outside
If your tank has a riser or risers to the soil surface, you will often see one, two or three lids made of plastic or cement on the soil surface. If this is the case, Often a soil probe can be used to identify the location of tank. Use caution when using a metal rod as these conduct electricity. Fiberglass rods are recommended after all utilities in the area have been identified.
[Contact Kentucky 811, Call Before You Dig, to locate underground utilities before using a soil probe or excavating in the ground.]
Step 4: Dig and uncover cleanout
Once you locate the tank and the four corners of the tank, you can excavate to find the cleanout. A cleanout is square or round hole in the top of the tank with a lid that can be removed allowing for cleanout and inspection. Depending on the style of tank, the clean out will be on the outlet end of the tank or on both ends of the tank lid. Often by excavating the soil away from the cleanout homeowners can save money on septic tank pumping.
Step 5: Contact an authorized person trained in septic tank maintenance
It is best to have a professional take over the job from here. Opening a septic tank can be very dangerous. If you remove the lid, never leave an open tank unattended. Do not enter a septic tank or put your head close to the open cleanout due to asphyxiation risk. In addition to drowning risk, hydrogen sulfide gas is a byproduct of the microbial processes that are breaking down the waste in a septic tank. This gas is deadly. Every year people die via asphyxiation by intentionally or unintentionally opening and entering a septic tank.
It is a good idea to have a septic system professional install a riser onto the tank lid above the clean outs so you will always know where the septic tank is located as well as provide easier access for maintenance. Be sure to install a double lid and/or a locking mechanism on the lid for safety. Consult your local ordinance to make sure you are in compliance with code.
Locating a soil absorption field
Soil absorption fields, which are typically 1 to 2 feet deep under the lawn surface, can be very challenging to locate without an as-built diagram because they are buried. At best, they are visible during very dry times of year when they are visible as 3 to 5 green stripes about 2 – 3 feet wide and up to 100 feet long in your lawn. Under the some conditions, these stripes may be brown while the remainder of your lawn is green. However, in most situations they cannot be located easily without the assistance of a location device. We recommend that you contact a septic system professional to locate the soil absorption field.
If you require or would like assistance to help locate your septic system the best option is to contact a certified septic system inspector. Unfortunately in the state of Kentucky there is not a certification or licensure of septic system inspectors outside the local health department.
1