Tricks for finding septic cover

[BubbaJr]

<font color="blue"> My tank has 3 lids not 2. Don't take for granted that you have 2. </font>

In most cases with a 3 cover system, the cover closest to the house will be the cover for the main tank (cleanout hole), the next cover will be the fluid tank, and the cover closest to the leach field will be the distribution box. Under that cover you will find the valves (elbows or whatever they use) to switch from one drain field to the other. They should be switched about every 6 months to keep the fields from overloading (I just changed mine yesterday). If you have a 2 cover tank, you probably only have 1 leach field. This isn't a hard and fast rule as there are as many ways to plumb it as there are plumbers (well almost /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

My covers are solid concrete. If your's are like mine, a metal detector won't find it, but a probe will. (PS. I just went out and checked my covers with a metal detector (to be absolutely sure), and there is no metal in them).

Good Luck, and if you find them and open one up, don't fall in /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[anojones]

Thanks to all- I've done a bit of probing and it looks like it's only about 10-12 inches under. I'll probe the tank and then make a guess and dig in the middle. Although, I like the idea of calling the honey bucket and seeing if they can find it quickly and easily.

A Jones

 

[txdon]

oh.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I thought this was a Halloween trick or treat post... never mind... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[aardvark]

I found mine in less than 30 minutes after my tractor was delivered. Just drive around the yard for a while, the front tire will hit it eventually. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JJT]

Only go the cleanout route if the tank has never been used. I worked for a plumber many years ago, the last thing you ever want to do is open a cleanout in the house, (use it only as a last resort)....

 

[ByronBob]

Why is that. I believe you but is there a safety issue with this or is it just the potential mess involved

 

[markct]

yes there is an extreme safety issue with opening a cleanout in the house, your wife or gf may inflict severe injury upon you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, the smell and mess of opening a cleanout in the house is why it should only be a last resort, there is no real safety issue just a huge mess to contend with

 

[EastTexFrank]

In places my ground was too rocky to use just a straight probe. What I did was to use a piece of pipe. I flattened one end and put a hose connection on the other. I connected up the hose and was able to wash the pipe into the ground to find the septic tank. It let me wiggle around any rocks I hit but it did make the ground pretty soggy when it came to digging time.

 

[Currmudgeon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Let's see what U think about a 5/16th or 1/4 inch SS(tubing) about 40 inches long with a tee bar handle! That may be a little thin, what U think! 3/8 inch??? )</font>

That's what's usually used in the trade, a 3/8 inch rod with a point on one end and a T handle on the other. You can buy them as tile probes, but if you have a welder, it's easier to make one.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( BUT best way to find septic tank & fill line is drive heavy truck over them, PRESTO it will work, PLEASE DON"'T try that!! )</font>

Dangit! You stole my suggestion. I guess I've gotta be quicker. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JJT]

Lets say worst case scenario, your tank is full, the drain field is plugged up and you open the cleanout in the house to find out it's under water. You could easily get 50 gallons or more of raw sewage dumped into your house, and you're getting the worst of it, everything that's floating in the tank. We'd dig up the tank and inspect. If the tank wasn't full we'd snake from the tank before we'd open up a cleanout. If we couldn't inspect the tank, we'd pull a toilet and snake from there.