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I have a septic system in my backyard, but I don't know where the lid is.

Is there a way to locate it based on the pipes or other method? I think it's under the lawn somewhere.

The reason I want to find it? You can save about $50 if you dig up the lid before getting the septic pumped.

Jay Prall
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3 Answers3

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Use a soil probe. Commonly used item for plumbers and landscapers:

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Jimmy Fix-it
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  1. Look for a cleanout. That's a pipe sticking up out of the ground with a plug. That might give you a general idea where the tank is or at least what side of the house its on. The tank will usually be a short distance from the cleanout.
  2. See if there are plans that were filed with the local government when the house was built. For example, mine are with the local county building department.
  3. There are services that use a flushable electronic transmitter that can then be found with a receiver. I haven't had this done, but it sounds high tech.
  4. If you live in an area with snow and your tank isn't buried too deep, you might see the snow melting above the tank.
  5. If your tank hasn't been pumped in a while, its probably a good idea to get it cleaned out. An experienced septic technician can usually locate it. They will probably charge extra for locating and digging it up. For me, it was an extra $50 if I didn't dig it up myself.
  6. The soil probe is not a bad idea. Try to narrow down the area its in first.
BrianK
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Our previous tank was down 8 feet, so probing and metal detectors would not have worked. I had the "as built" from the builder. The local authority should have it on file. Once you have it found and pumped you should have a riser installed so the cover is no more than a foot deep. My septic company put one in and then only had to peel the lawn back to pump the tank.

sborsher
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