garys_2k
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage
| reply to triker
Re: locating septic tank?
I hope that everyone knows that dowsing has never passed a double-blind test. If someone really thinks they can do it they should apply for James Randi's $1,000,000 prize. »www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-···nge.html |
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triker
Premium
join:2003-12-23
Washington, IN
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·RTC Communications
1 edit | reply to ncbrit1
I'm no plumber, but something a gas man showed me about ten years ago was witching sticks. I think it is similar to the divining rod that was mentioned earlier. When the guy was verifying he wasn't going to hit anything when running the low-pressure LP line to the house he pulled out two metal coat hangers bent about 6" up one side at a 90-degree angle ('L'-shaped). He held the hanger very loosely with the long side pointing out away from him, one in each hand. When he would walk across something electrical, a water pipe, or even our septic tank, the rods would cross. When he asked me how it worked, he just said that he had no idea. It apparently was something that his grandfather showed him years ago. It works for some and does not for others.
I'm a computer guy by trade, so something that isn't logical to me I tend not to trust, but this was very intriguing. I tried it for myself and it works really well. I've found a satellite dish cable, overhead lines (works not just for underground lines), and many other things.
You might just give that a shot and see what comes up. I tried to quickly find a video or image, but could not. If you google "witching sticks" you might come up with something a little more descriptive. If I run across something I'll edit my post.
Hope this might help.
Todd
Edit: I found this video describing it (looks pretty similar to what I do, but I skip the cardboard tube. I just hold the sticks very loosely in my hands): »www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_zsLyBr···=related |
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builderbob
@cox.net | reply to ncbrit1
if the tank has ever been pumped, the contractor probably has details as to location and depth. |
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emhankinson
join:2003-02-11
Friedens, PA
| reply to ncbrit1
8 years ago, my father in law found our tank from memory. we built a house and lost the location.
Ultimately, I had to call in Roto Rooter to locate my tank. From there, I started digging where they said, moved a couple of feet and found the lid. I just am now finishing up with installing an 18" tall by 24" wide riser with a nice green lid on top. |
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CKizer
Raptus Regaliter
Premium
join:2003-01-29
Tijeras, NM | reply to ncbrit1
check your original survey. |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..
| reply to lhamp
said by lhamp  :all jokes aside sometimes you can find it where the grass is greener... To be precise "The grass is greener over the septic tank leach-field."
If you are a plant you want to be where all the nutrients and water goes, not just a place where it is a little warmer. 
/tom |
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lhamp
Premium
join:2000-02-20
Stone Mountain, GA
clubs:
| reply to Subaru
all jokes aside sometimes you can find it where the grass is greener...
I always thought that was true. However in my case it's BS.
I recently had to have my tank cleaned. First time since we bought the house about 7 years ago. It wasn't too hard to find where the tank is. About 8 feet from the front of the house.
The only thing I've been able to grow in that area is moss.
I've tried numerous times to grow grass and failed every time. I've tilled, dug, put in new soil, you name it. The only thing that grows there is weeds and moss.
While we're on the subject I have some Questions?
1: What is the code in Georgia as far as how far the tank is located? I know in California it is (or was) a minimum of 15 feet from the house.
2: Why in the Hell doesn't the code require a drain pipe? Instead of digging up my lawn (or moss) whenever it needs to be pumped? In Calif. There was always a pipe sticking out of the ground to uncap and pump. KISS. |
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jester121
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | reply to ncbrit1
Divining rod. |
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acid343211
Hallo lisa Aus Amerika
Premium
join:2001-08-31
Byron, GA
| reply to dgilbert
said by dgilbert : so even though it had never been opened since installation, it had little soil over it and was in a sunken place. most septics around here are visible the same way, even ones not yet old enough to pump. Down here its around 12-18 inches below the Surface.
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| reply to acid343211
one of mine yes that is the reason, but the other one had NEVER been emptied in 30 years. it is for the kitchen and laundry only, no toilets, and until it finally filled up with grease there was no need to empty it. teh ground was only 12" deep above it, and seasonal contraction of the clay soil sucked most of the soil off the top. so even though it had never been opened since installation, it had little soil over it and was in a sunken place.
most septics around here are visible the same way, even ones not yet old enough to pump.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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acid343211
Hallo lisa Aus Amerika
Premium
join:2001-08-31
Byron, GA
| reply to dgilbert
said by dgilbert :also look for a slight depression in the ground. both tanks at my house have a sunken spot above them where you dig to have them pumped. The Reason yours has a "sunken spot" is because the septic tank was Emptied once before, if his wasn't this "sunken spot" wouldn't appear.
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
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1 edit | reply to dgilbert
said by dgilbert :tanks at my house have a sunken spot above them where you dig to have them pumped. Same for me. Plus I put a stake and upside down 2-liter soda bottle at ground level to make it easy to find.
Don't think that will work for OP. If tank had been pumped every couple of years it would not be "lost."
/tom |
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BillRoland
Premium
join:2001-01-21
Ocala, FL
clubs:
 ·Cox HSI
| reply to ncbrit1
As others have said, they're usually pretty close to the surface, but not always in a place you'd expect. Mine is at a 45 degree angle to the house, for no apparent reason, yet the drain field comes out of the tank and does another 45 and heads straight out into the yard.
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"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs: | reply to ncbrit1
also look for a slight depression in the ground. both tanks at my house have a sunken spot above them where you dig to have them pumped.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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acid343211
Hallo lisa Aus Amerika
Premium
join:2001-08-31
Byron, GA
3 edits | reply to ncbrit1
said by ncbrit1 :We have tried using a steel probe to locate our septic tank, but rocky ground is making the task difficult. Is there enough rebar in a tank lid to locate with a metal detector? What other methods are commonly used? Since you went to the Health Department and couldn't find out anything go to the Building permits area etc.
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX | reply to ncbrit1
Stomp around the yard where you think it may be. They are usually close enough to the surface that you hear a hollow sound as opposed to the solid earth. or rock. |
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Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs:
·Packet8
| reply to tonyorb
to they pick the transmitter back up? 
all jokes aside sometimes you can find it where the grass is greener...
I know my aunt her tank has been moved twice that I know of.. Not sure why... I remember the first one was nothing but a wood built roof with shingles on it. I remember the pump had to be replaced. I was not around when the newer tank was put it but it's about 20Ft closer to the house and it's fully under ground. I think I know where the leech field is it always had that "smell" in that area but that was with the old tank so it might of been air blowing the smell from the not so sealed tank cover.
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tonyorb
join:2008-09-28
College Park, MD | reply to ncbrit1
Most septic pumping companies can find your tank easily, with or without drawings. If they come accorss one that is real tricky they flush a transmitter down the toilet to find it. On your own ,everyone of the above suggestions sound good. |
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ncbrit1
join:2005-04-29
Hildebran, NC
| reply to cowboyro
We aquired a copy of the original permit from the local health dept, but when the house was built in 1976 the permits weren't too accurate. We know which side of the house the tank is on, but there are no dimensions listed.
The plans do not include the location either.
The only real guide we have is that a piece of the pipe is visible where it exits the foundation, and we can try in locations along the line that the pipe leads. I'll try a metal detector along this path. |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
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1 edit | reply to ncbrit1
Too bad you are not in snow country. Heat from septic tank means snow melts over tank first.
I assume you do not have the septic design documents. If all else fails they may be available from your town. They should be on file with building permits.
As jabarnut posted tank should be pretty close to house, within 50 feet. Leach field can be much further away. Unless you pump waste water to septic tank system is gravity feed. Tank is lower then where pipe exits house, leach field in turn is lower then tank. Typical slope is 1/8-1/4" per foot of run.
Tank is reinforced with re-bar and there should be a metal hook embedded in lid to gain access to tank for pumping. Tank should be within a couple of feet below grade.
/tom |
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