Septic tank and leach field

[Sigarms]

Looking at having one deck removed, 3 new decks built, some cement laid and some trees cut down behind the house.

One thing we need to address because we never had to in the past is exactly where is the septic tank and leach field.

House built in 1988. There is a second leach field further away from the house after the first one didn't hold up.

I communicated with the previous owner, and have a decent idea of where the septic tank is, first and second leach field, but honestly would like to know the EXACT locations as well as the underground water pipes. Couple of years ago, had a leak of water from under the basement deck, turned out to be the water connection from the well coming into the house and that became a PITA job because of the deck (parts had to be ripped up as the leak was in the pipe connection).

2 questions

1 - What services are out there to find underground water pipes, septic tank, and is it possible to determine exactly where the leach fields are?
2 - Once (and if) we determine exact location of everything we're looking for, what kind of maximum weight should not be exceeded if heavy equipment is out back?

The second leach field was installed in 1998. From the county I was able to get a "rough" diagram on where things we're at, but the drawing is limited in my opinion per scale and relationship to the deck. We actually have 4 different decks, and the lower one about 30 yards (with steps) will be removed and I'd like the ground graded a little (on a slope) when that deck is removed. Also a good possibility the first leach field is under the stairs of the deck leading to the bottom deck that is being removed (understanding septic tank is under the first step off the basement).

Any input would be appreciated from past experiences.

 

[murphy1244]

Good Mourning Here we have to pump out our tanks about every 3 years, some sooner. On mine it was obvious because the tops were made out of a round piece of concrete. I take it down south that it not so. My health department had a map of our leach bed. Good hunting.

 

[Sigarms]

Good Mourning Here we have to pump out our tanks about every 3 years, some sooner. On mine it was obvious because the tops were made out of a round piece of concrete. I take it down south that it not so. My health department had a map of our leach bed. Good hunting.

The only thing our county health department had was when they had to do the repair in 1998. As mentioned, hand drawn, not very detailed to scale, and the house and deck isn't even noted for scale.

 

[riptides]

Why the interest in finding the leach field? Most just get abandoned in place.

The tank is a different story. In our county, it has to be destroyed or removed. And inspected that it was indeed done.

Finding it, and the attached leach field was a follow the pipes adventure for us. There was no record on general location. Crawling under the house revealed two sewer pipes. Both at different times (don't ask).
Once the pipe was located we dug outside the house and followed it to the tank. Then we noted the overflow pipe to the leach field. Followed that to the distribution box, followed that to the lines.

I'd say people that install them could probably help you find your equipment faster than you can dig. Or at least provide a more specific location than what you may have on record or are thinking.

Good luck.

 

[dodge man]

When I was working as a land surveyor we occasionally had reasons to get utilities located on private property, in one case a big area. In most cases they can hook onto the utility, such as a phone wire, and locate it fairly accurately. In the case of your septic tank they may be able to locate it easily if it’s reinforced concrete. Plastic pipes are tougher but they do have devices like ground penetrating radar.

 

[Sigarms]

Plastic pipes are tougher but they do have devices like ground penetrating radar.

THAT'S the type of company I'm referring to. Looking online, somewhat confusing but will put more time into it.

I don't want to put cement over something that may need to be accessed down the road. Dealing with a wood deck was interesting enough dealing with a pipe connection leak when the connection was directly under the deck (basement first deck, on ground).

I figure in for a penny, in for a dollar and now is the time to lay everything out correctly, particularly if we might sell 5-10 years from now.

 

[dougtrr2]

Locating the tank should be fairly easy. Once you know where the tank is it should be obvious which direction the leach field are. I think you could get access to the line and then run a metal sewer tape down the line. Using a metal detector you should be able to map out the exact location. Sound easy when you say it fast.

Doug in SW IA

 

[oosik]

When I worked for the Health Dept - we located the septic tank and beginning of the drain field by triangulation off the corners of the house. The final approval included a diagram showing house - septic tank - drain field. Exact scale was not important - we showed the EXACT footage. I'm surprised that your local Health Dept doesn't have something like this.

 

[Streetcar]

There are cameras that go down drainpipes. The camera can be located by handheld sensor. This will trace drain to septic tank. Many plumbers have these cameras.
How are you emptying tank of solids

 

[riptides]

When I worked for the Health Dept - we located the septic tank and beginning of the drain field by triangulation off the corners of the house. The final approval included a diagram showing house - septic tank - drain field. Exact scale was not important - we showed the EXACT footage. I'm surprised that your local Health Dept doesn't have something like this.

Yeah, maybe now-a-days.

Here, last we can tell, there was outhouse services until the 50's. At which time Billy and Bob decided to dig a tank and install some drain lines behind the chicken coup.

Heck, my county cannot even get plats right between surveys. Mapping out utilities, especially septic systems is a stretch.

Having just installed a new system about a year ago, I'd say the next home owner here should pay me homage for what we dealt with.

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

There are cameras that go down drainpipes. The camera can be located by handheld sensor. This will trace drain to septic tank. Many plumbers have these cameras.
How are you emptying tank of solids

I have used a service like this and I’m impressed with how quickly and accurately it worked!

 

[tfuller]

There are cameras that go down drainpipes. The camera can be located by handheld sensor. This will trace drain to septic tank. Many plumbers have these cameras.
How are you emptying tank of solids

Any good septic company should be able to come out and locate everything for you. They will put the camera into the pipe and push it to the tank. They then use an above ground detector to locate the camera and this can tell them the location and depth of the camera. You may as well have them dig up the tank and pump it out while you have them there. Once they have the tank dug up they may be able to advise you of where the leach field is based of the info you have from the health dept and common sense based on the land or they can run the camera from the outlet of the tank and give you a more certain answer.

 

[Sigarms]

When I worked for the Health Dept - we located the septic tank and beginning of the drain field by triangulation off the corners of the house. The final approval included a diagram showing house - septic tank - drain field. Exact scale was not important - we showed the EXACT footage. I'm surprised that your local Health Dept doesn't have something like this.

Some reason having a hard time to download an image.

There is no house in the "drawing", and the only footage listed is from apparently the septic tank to the second leach field. Sch 40 3" PVC run 80' downhill to the second leach field.

After talking with the previous owner and looking at the diagram, I would have just expected a better drawing with the house included for a reference point.

I think I have a good idea, just not 100% certain.

 

[Sigarms]

Any good septic company should be able to come out and locate everything for you.

Honestly, that's what I figured.

I called the original company who at least did the work in 1998 as they are local in town. Apparently the owner (father) died in or around 2004, and I was told by the same company I was SOL and they wouldn't be able to do it for me.

May have to go further into the next county over in the "city".

 

[Sigarms]

Why the interest in finding the leach field? Most just get abandoned in place.

Honestly, ignorance on my end along with the fact that with taking down some trees and one proposal to take care of the bottom deck with a bobcat, just don't want to create more problems when taking care of something separate.

 

[ddbackhoe]

A good metal detector can find the tank. They use rebar hooks in the lids, You have an idea where the 2nd field is and where the pipe exits the house. Tank should be somewhere in the middle.
No metal detector, make a t-handled probe out of some 1/4” (or bigger if you want) rebar. Walk around the area probing the ground until you find the tank. Quite often the top of the tank is less than 24” below grade. Most of the ones weve installed are around 12”.
The first field is abandoned so not a big deal if you accidentally dig it.

Install a tank riser while you have it dug up and pumped out.

Check with the health dept., they may offer some reimbursements for tank pumping and riser purchase.

Cameras are great, not every septic/plumber will have one.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Some reason having a hard time to download an image.

There is no house in the "drawing", and the only footage listed is from apparently the septic tank to the second leach field. Sch 40 3" PVC run 80' downhill to the second leach field.

After talking with the previous owner and looking at the diagram, I would have just expected a better drawing with the house included for a reference point.

I think I have a good idea, just not 100% certain.

Health dept records are often useless. Sometimes not even on the correct side of the house. Look for the well, hopefully they put the septic on the opposite house side from that.

 

[oldnslo]

In my yard you can see the depressions and difference in grass color over the leach field. Around here they just use a metal probe to find tank and drain lines but then in this immediate area there are no rocks.

 

[EddieWalker]

I would call the a company to have it pumped. Cost to do this isn't extreme, and they are experts at finding the tank. Usually the lid is covered in an inch of grass that they find with a probe. I've never seen a guy spend more then half an hour looking, and usually it's just five or ten minutes.

If your house is brick, they sometimes put an odd, off color brick near ground level to show where the sewer line is. Usually it's close to one of the toilets in the house.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

As others have stated a simple probe rod will show you right where the tank is located and the drain field is usually pretty easy to figure out from there, many homes will also have a cleanout where the drain pipe leaves the house towards the septic tank to give you a reference or starting point.