Household Septic System

[vtsnowedin]

What the heck, can't hurt to try under the deck. It was definitely added later, but don't ask how I know... . Anyone able to guesstimate the dimensions of a 1500 gallon septic tank?

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5'hx 4'w'10'L plus eight inches each for 4"thick walls and floors.

 

[dave1949]

I know how to find that thing!

Flush a goldfish down the toilet and use a fish finder.

 

[MossRoad]

I know how to find that thing!

Flush a goldfish down the toilet and use a fish finder.

Amateurs! :scubadiver:

 

[ddbackhoe]

ddbackhoe this is a workshop I put the system in for. As far as the size of the hole and what comes out of it is up to the building inspector I just hook to the pipe coming out. Sticking the clean out away from the building just makes 1 more thing to avoid breaking or mowing around. I can't see why pee gravel is more except able than bedding sand under with a ft. of cover as well. Pee gravel is an alternative here but $10 a yd. more to pass on to the home owner is hard to justify.

I don't get a choice, these are all mandated by the building/health inspector. I was just looking at the differences in what we are allowed to do. Wasn't all that long ago, as long as we kept a 100 foot from the well, the inspection was often done on the fly.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I know how to find that thing!

Flush a goldfish down the toilet and use a fish finder.

:laughing:

 

[jlgurr]

You sure you're on the right side of the house?

Yes, based on the location of the water well and driveway noted in the sketch.

 

[PILOON]

Generally the tank inlet will only be slightly lower than the outlet from the house (unless a solids pump is installed).
If there is any basement plumbing then you would be looking at a tank level that is slightly lower than basement floor.
Next regulations specify the minimum distance from a house and generally you know where the drain outlet exists. If up to code there would be a clean out in the basement just at the exit point.
Logic says that the excavator will have dug for the tank at the same time as the foundations were done and that the drain run would be kept as short as practical in compliance with regulations.

Armed with the above info any tank should be relatively easy to locate.

Same logic applies to locating a drain field. Downhill generally, clear area.

LOL, then comes exceptions.
Like mine. I am lakeside and terrain is steep with lots of granite formations.
Back of my house is 'walk in' level with parking area and my tank is 8' down followed by a pumping station.
In my 'walk out' basement level I have gravity plumbing to that deep tank installation.
I have 2 concrete lids flush with parking area surface.
I pump the effluent uphill about 18 ft to my drainage field.
(I can attest that changing my pump in January at minus 25 deg is no fun.)
My house is about 40 ft from the lake shore making those inconveniences worth it.
We are in 'paradise'.

 

[jlgurr]

Time allowing, I may dig down to the drain line and follow it to the tank wall. Then based on the tank dimensions I'll measure in to locate the lid.

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[GPintheMitten]

Time allowing, I may dig down to the drain line and follow it to the tank wall. Then based on the tank dimensions I'll measure in to locate the lid.

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If you do not know where the drain line exits the house, dig perpendicular along the basement wall until you find it. Dig about 12" or so below the basement floor level.

When you find it, expose enough to get the direction in case it is at an angle other than 90, then move out about 15'. In other words, I would not expose the drain line the whole length because it is more digging and the possibility of breaking the pipe while digging.

 

[jlgurr]

If you do not know where the drain line exits the house, dig perpendicular along the basement wall until you find it. Dig about 12" or so below the basement floor level. When you find it, expose enough to get the direction in case it is at an angle other than 90, then move out about 15'. In other words, I would not expose the drain line the whole length because it is more digging and the possibility of breaking the pipe while digging.

Good point, I'll do that. Thx.

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