Digging up Septic Cover

SteveH_CT · Feb 19, 2004

I actually have that plan from the town hall - and inexact is putting it kindly. I really hope the contractor has something with more detail.

mrcaptainbob · Feb 20, 2004

I only knew the approximate area by where the grass was changed. Either real brown, or real green. Or melted snow. To find out, I probed with the pointed rebar until I found the top. (It was about 16"). Kept probing about 4 feet from that point and put wood stakes in each spot. Did that until I found all four sides. Laid string along the stakes to give an outline of the tank itself. String across the corners gave me the center. Figured the lid would be close to that. Then I took measurments to every corner (lid and tank) from two points on the house as was earlier mentioned....It was easy from then on. When you do it, lay a tarp off to two sides. One side is where you neatly stack the sod that you neatly carve out. (Set it in the same position you remove it) THe other tarp is for the 'stuff' under the sod. Makes life easy when you put it all back.

SteveH_CT · Feb 20, 2004

You know I forgot to mention that I have a nice melted patch out on our lawn to point me in the right direction. The ground is still generally frozen - but it is getting warmer week by week. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Thanks,

AndyM · Feb 20, 2004

The melted snow will put you in the right direction. I was fascinated by the spot of snow-less yard where my tanks are. My dog is too, because that's where she does her, uh, outside business. I guess it beats standing in the snow!

After you're done, install some concrete risers like in the picture, so your septic tank lids are always at ground level--

Inspector507 · Feb 21, 2004

My septic had this nice little plastic cover at/around grade level when I looked at the house. When we moved in I noticed it was no longer there, had an 18"X18" peice of steel plate over the hole. Called the previous owner.......he said he borrowed the neighbors mower to cut the lawn one last time before I moved in. The blades were set lower than his mower.....chopped it to shreds /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I've been looking for a new cover to no avail for 4 years, that steel plate is still out there /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Junkman · Feb 21, 2004

Last evening while sorting through other "junk" I found the original site survey that was required for the bank mortgage when I built the house back in 1982. To my surprise, the surveyor put in the dimensions of the septic tank location as well as the distribution box location for the leach field. If your mortgage is still held locally, the bank might have the survey and it might show the location. I know that where I live in CT, if you apply for a building permit for any renovation, that the health department must sign off before the permit is issued and they won't do that until you give them the location of both the well and the septic tank. I believe that this is so they can update their records.