As a homeowner, you probably don’t think about the septic tank on your property all that often. That’s because the tank is usually hidden underground somewhere in your yard.
Although you might be tempted to apply an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality to your septic system, you should know where the tank is located in the event that it needs to be maintained or serviced. So, where is the septic tank located, exactly?
Let’s discuss how to locate your septic tank!
Why Should You Know Your Septic Tank’s Location?
There are several reasons why you should know where the septic tank is located on your property. For starters, you don’t want to accidentally cover it up with plants or landscaping, as this will pose a serious problem should you need to have the tank maintained or repaired in the future. You should also know where the tank is located so that you don’t drive over it or apply excess pressure that can damage it.
How to Find Your Septic System Tank
Every home is different — which means your septic tank’s location can vary from your neighbor’s and so on. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to find where the septic tank is located.
Step 1: Inspect Your Yard
When learning how to locate your septic tank, it can be helpful to start with a good old-fashioned inspection. Although septic tank lids tend to be at ground level, they can also be buried underground. As such, you’ll want to walk around your property and be on the lookout for any disturbed soil or discoloration. You can avoid paved surfaces, as the tank won’t be near them.
In most cases, the tank will be installed within 25 feet of your home. If you’re performing an inspection and find that you’ve wandered more than a football field’s length away from your home, you should readjust your search.
Have you narrowed down your search to a specific part of your property? You can use a shovel or metal soil probe to pinpoint the location of the septic tank cover.
Step 2: Consult Your Sewer Lines
If you want to know how to locate your septic tank, don’t overlook the usefulness of your sewer pipes. Consider going to your crawl space or basement and looking for the main sewer pipe, which should be about four inches in diameter. You might expect the pipe to be larger, but for a residential building, this is the standard size of main sewer lines.
Your main sewer line will eventually lead to the septic tank. All you need to do is follow its location. Again, the tank won’t be located further than 25 feet from your home, so you won’t have to stray too far from your property to find it.
Step 3: Check for a Map
Are you still struggling to find your septic tank? If you have a newer home, you can request a septic tank map from your local health department. The map should have the exact location of the tank. However, it’s important to mention that there most likely won’t be maps available for older homes.
Step 4: Call a Professional
As a homeowner, it’s pretty safe to say that you’ve never opened the tank to your septic system — and for a good reason. It can be incredibly dangerous to open your septic system cover, as this simple action can release harmful fumes into the air. That’s why you should always work with a septic system professional for any maintenance, repair, or replacement needs you may have.
If it’s time to have your septic tank services, don’t hesitate to call an expert to schedule an appointment. Trained and experienced technicians can help determine where the septic tank is located on your property.
Schedule Septic Tank Maintenance & More!
Don’t put off a professional maintenance or pumping service now that you know how to locate your septic tank. At Tidy Tank Septic Service, our technicians are happy to help you with everything from comprehensive maintenance to enzyme septic tank treatment.
Our company has proudly helped the residents of Crystal Lake, IL, and the surrounding areas with their septic tank-related needs. We can assist you with everything from field rejuvenation to a lift pump for septic systems. Contact us today to learn more about our services!