It is important for every homeowner that lives on a septic system to know where their septic tank(s) is located. Recommended pumping intervals for a households septic tank is every 3-5 years. Without knowing where your tank is located this important maintenance step would be neglected. Septic tanks are non-load bearring, which means they cannot support the weight of vehicles, equipment, etc. Not knowing the tanks location can lead to vehicles or equipment driving over the tank, compromising its structural integrity and posing a serious safety hazard. Not to mention the cost of then having to replace the damaged tank. If a homeowner is attempting to locate their septic tanks there are tools that can assist in this process. 

Before a homeowner begins locating their septic tank(s) they need to contact the county health department to determine if the county has a record drawing on file for their system. A record drawing is a map drawn out by the original septic installer that shows the layout of the septic system and includes measurements to each component. However, depending on the age of a system the health department may not have any records on file, and even if they do the drawing may not be one hundred percent accurate. It is important for anyone using a record drawing to locate septic components to keep that in mind. Once a tank is located, it is important for the record drawing to be updated if it is determined that the original measurements are inaccurate.

Another avenue to assist in locating a septic tank is with a metal detector. This will only work if a concrete tank was installed and not a polyethylene or fiberglass tank. The concrete tanks contain metal reinforments that a metal detector could potentially pick up. The depth at which the septic tank was installed is a variable that could make the metal detector fail to pick up the metal in the tank.

If a homeowner is unable, or would prefer to have a septic professional locate their septic tank there are a variety of additional tools utilized in this process. There are multiple types of locators that send a transmitter into the main sewer line eventually reaching the tank. Once it reaches the tank a receiver can identify the location of the transmitter. Other probes and radar tools can be utilized as well by septic professionals. Once the tank location has been identified and the tank lids have been excavated and exposed it is highly recommended to have risers installed. This will bring the tank lids to the surface and make future maintenance efficient and cost effective.