Household Septic System

txdon · Mar 19, 2015

When was the last time the tank was pumped out. They do fill up in 5 to 20 years depending on type/size/usage, and when they do the sludge goes into the line and the system fails and backs up. Thats what happen to my Dads (emergency pump out and line replacement during Christmas)- after he bragged about never having to pump it out. I get mine pump mine out every 5 years and it is just about full.

forgeblast · Mar 19, 2015

I pumped mine this summer. When we moved in the previous owner had a ceramic cat statue (yep) over the top of the septic, well that didnt last a winter and I though I marked down exactly where it was. Couldn't find it, over the years we did some landscaping etc.... Had a guy come out to find it and I started digging. I think I was 2 -1/2 to 3'' down before I found the top. I added risers 3-4 sections and then put a paver stone over the top of the lid, to make the next clean out much easier.

jlgurr · Mar 19, 2015

txdon said:
When was the last time the tank was pumped out. They do fill up in 5 to 20 years depending on type/size/usage, and when they do the sludge goes into the line and the system fails and backs up. Thats what happen to my Dads (emergency pump out and line replacement during Christmas)- after he bragged about never having to pump it out. I get mine pump mine out every 5 years and it is just about full.

We moved in December 2005 and it's not been pumped since we've lived there. Sounds like we ought to get more serious about finding the access lid. It's a 1500 gallon tank, which sounds quite large.

doxford jim · Mar 19, 2015

In BC we are supposed to have risers on all large openings as dictated by the new regulations (2005).
My septic tank top is 4ft down and the tank is approximately 5ft deep. The outlet from the house is around 4.5ft down as it goes into the tank at the top of the side. The tank is around 20ft from the house.
My guess is to look for the tank around 15ft from the house and you might even have risers that have been covered up with dirt. It would be worth your while to find out where it all is and then make it so you can inspect and pump it easily - it will pay dividends down the road.

Paul Thornton · Mar 19, 2015

I always do the digging to access the tank cover, it saves me money.

mark02tj · Mar 19, 2015

dmccarty said:
I try to pump our tank every Presidential election.

That's also kind of symbolic considering the last several elections! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

MacLawn · Mar 19, 2015

Like Erma Bombeck said, the grass is always greener over the septic tank.

Here's wha' I do when I need to locate an underground water pipe:

1. Cut two pieces of #12 copper wire about 18" long each
2. Bend into L shape
3. Loosely hold the short end of L in ye hands, long ends pointing straight from ye parallel to ground
4. Walk around where ye think tank/lines are
5. The long ends of wire WILL slowly turn inwards when ye cross over underground pipe

Mock all ye want scientific boys, this works.

GPintheMitten · Mar 19, 2015

Pumping out every presidential election is not only symbolic but sounds like good therapy.

I think I'll adopt that schedule/therapy.

Paul Thornton · Mar 19, 2015

MacLawn, works for me too.

jlgurr · Mar 19, 2015

MacLawn said:
Like Erma Bombeck said, the grass is always greener over the septic tank.

Here's wha' I do when I need to locate an underground water pipe:

1. Cut two pieces of #12 copper wire about 18" long each
2. Bend into L shape
3. Loosely hold the short end of L in ye hands, long ends pointing straight from ye parallel to ground
4. Walk around where ye think tank/lines are
5. The long ends of wire WILL slowly turn inwards when ye cross over underground pipe

Mock all ye want scientific boys, this works.

Does this method require a certain material used for the pipe; i.e. cast iron, terra cotta, PVC?

Do you lay the two "L"'s together in one hand or do you have one in each fist alongside each other with their long sides back to back?

flusher · Mar 19, 2015

I recently sold my ranch and had to get the septic tank pumped per CA escrow regulations. Here are a few photos showing that process.

The tank was installed in 2005 when the house was built. So I had all the info needed to find the tank and the other parts of the septic system.

The guy who pumped the tank said that the installer did an excellent job. The lids were about 18" deep so I had no problem digging them out myself (saved $100). He could see that the installer used black ABS pipe on the inlet and out lines from the tank which is the proper way to do it. Some installers scrimp and use white PVC pipe on the outlet end of the tank which is more likely to collapse eventually.

Good luck

radioman · Mar 19, 2015

Usually the septic tank pumpers will find the tank for you. the house built in '78? It either a metal tank or concrete. Do you have a vent stack? if not Either way - you can take a rebar about 4 ft long or so and start poking holes in the general area of your tank. once you find it with thud - you can work your way out to the edge and the corners. Once you find it - you can dig in the center of tank with a hand shovel and notice the depth.

teg · Mar 19, 2015

flusher said:
...He could see that the installer used black ABS pipe on the inlet and out lines from the tank which is the proper way to do it. Some installers scrimp and use white PVC pipe on the outlet end of the tank which is more likely to collapse eventually...

Oops... even schedule 40?
View attachment 417242

Paul Thornton · Mar 19, 2015

More important than the color is the schedule.

/pine · Mar 19, 2015

If the ground is too hard for a solid rod type probe...a lot of plumbers use a water hose jet probe...

ddbackhoe · Mar 19, 2015

teg said:
Oops... even schedule 40?
View attachment 417242

That's what I was thinking, but maybe that's a californy thang....

Black pipe is ABS drain, waste, vent. PVC is color coded:

RECOMMENDED COLOR CODE
This color code is only intended for solid wall pipe used outside of buildings
it is not intended for corrugated or other profile pipe or solid wall pipe used
inside of buildings.
Color or Stripe Color Solid Wall Piping Application

Red Electric power lines, cable, conduit, and
lighting cables

Orange Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines,
cables, or conduit

Yellow Fuel gas (methane or propane), oil, petroleum,
steam, or gaseous materials

Green Sewers and drain lines

Blue Potable water

Violet (Purple) Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines

MossRoad · Mar 19, 2015

jlgurr said:
We moved in December 2005 and it's not been pumped since we've lived there. Sounds like we ought to get more serious about finding the access lid. It's a 1500 gallon tank, which sounds quite large.

Any chance of contacting:
A. The company that pumped it for the previous owner?
B. The previous owner?

Also, you could find where the pipe comes out of the house and then get down on your hands and knees, put your head as low to the ground as you can and look across the lawn for a high or low spot. Stick a metal rod into the ground and poke around till you hit something. Just be careful you don't have clay tiles or you can crack them.

jlgurr · Mar 19, 2015

MossRoad said:
Any chance of contacting:
A. The company that pumped it for the previous owner?
B. The previous owner?

Also, you could find where the pipe comes out of the house and then get down on your hands and knees, put your head as low to the ground as you can and look across the lawn for a high or low spot. Stick a metal rod into the ground and poke around till you hit something. Just be careful you don't have clay tiles or you can crack them.

Local pumper doesn't have records past 5 years. I guess they expect people will be pumping at least that often

The previous owner is deceased.

Looking like the best bet is to find the main drain pipe and "chase" it to the tank. Wish I had paid more attention when we replaced the basement toilet to notice which direction and how far down the elbow was from floor level. If we can't find it the local pumper said they charge $100 to locate and dig to access hole. $180 to pump. You all said it was rather cheap relative to a new drain field. Guess I expected it to be more.

Nonetheless I plan to use your suggestions and give it one last try before giving in and paying them the $100 finders fee.

MossRoad · Mar 19, 2015

And in all seriousness, do not discount the attempt to "divine" it, water witch, divining rods, whatever you want to call it. I personally think its complete bunk, but then again I've put my hand on many machines and they start working for no reason at all. I still think that's why my employer keeps me around in a closet, just in case they need me to come out and stand next to something to make it work! :laughing:

Give it a try. Just make sure the neighbors don't see you! :cool2:

Also, got any pictures of the area? We can take guesses!