Question about septic system--Update, I have further questions post 62 another update 74

[gumtree]

Generally the tank is located pretty much a straight shot from where the drain pipe exits the house. The tank could be 10’ from the house or 20+ if the grade doesn’t fall away from the house. Our house was built in 1690 but a new system was installed in the early 90s. So it meets reasonably current standards. The tank is located about 15’ from the house just before the grade falls away. The lid which is about 2’+ is several inches below the ground. Grass grows fine with regular rains. But when we have long dry spells it goes brown because the couple of inches of soil drys out. Leaving a brown outline of the lid.

Your system was installed 40 years ago. If it was a very rural area good chance septic installation wasn’t regulated in those days.The town may have no record. You will either get the information needed with a call or, “we didn’t require permits back then”. There are plenty of ways to install one that would work but wouldn’t meet “code” these days.

As Manahmanah said there may just be a cesspool.

The tank, leach field can be located using a flushable transmitter, easy-to-use receive. I would think a septic company has one or it may be rent-able. Check around at Rental yards. I’ve never had the need to use one so I can’t say how “easy to use” it is. Grabbed that line from a company’s website that makes them.

We have a bathroom in our very old barn. Have no idea where things go when flushed.

[JanM]

Is the pipe going outside from the basement metal? If so, a metal pipe will work with a locator the utility companies use.

[gumtree]

@JanM

Is the pipe going outside from the basement metal? If so, a metal pipe will work with a locator the utility companies use.

Good point, didn’t think about a metal pipe because plastic has been used for so long. But maybe not in the 70s. Just about every Rental yard rents metal detectors for very little.

[fanfayre]

Sometimes there is a little hollow in the ground over the lid where the soil settled after being disturbed the last time. It may only be a couple of inches to 6-8" deep. As @gumtree says, it could be anywhere from 3’ to over 20’ from the edge of the house. Perhaps someone has a camera ‘snake’ you could rent that you could put down the closest fixture to the outlet and visibly see the distance to the tank, It won’t likely give you a depth, but it’s a start, and then you can hire a young lad with strong shoulders to do the digging.
Highly recommend, after pumping, you have risers and lids added to your tank to surface so it’s easily found in the future :). Some jurisdictions, like ours, offer rebates for this type of upgrade- something to look into.
Also recommend, if the tank is a fair distance from the house (>25 feet, say) to install a clean-out stack in the supply line from house to tank. That way, the pipe can be cleaned without digging up the whole line.

[Cat_Tap]

This is the boonies, there were no regulations back when it was installed. The pipe leaving the house is black not metal. There is a leach field. I know because I have hit a weeping tile when planting trees years ago. I do remember the grass being bleached in one area. There was at that time a slight rise to the ground. I have been digging straight out from where the pipe leaves the house about 6 feet away. Tried another spot where the rise used to be. The main problem right now is that it is so hot, buggy and the ground is really hard. I have used a heavy metal rod to penetrate the ground but it is too thick, have used the crow bar, no good, and a small metal rod to no avail.

I have decided to wait a couple of days to continue until it cools off a bit. Failing that I will have to hire someone to dig for me. This time I will definite mark the area.

[Cat_Tap]

Also want to thank everyone for the course on septic systems. Sure is taking my mind off everything else.

Just want to add for those that haven’t read my other posts. I know there is a tank, we had it pumped before, I just don’t know where the lid is.

[Simkie]

FWIW, our tank in MN was about 150 feet away from the house. They’re not always nearby.

Got any friends with a metal detector? That might work…

[fanfayre]

Well, since you know where your field is :eek:, you know your tank is between there and the house ;)! At least that eliminates a large area from your search parameters. :yes:

[JanM]

Get some bricks or stones, and when you find the lids, and they rebury them after servicing, mark a big square around each lid (mine has two service holes with lids, and one for the pump mechanism). If it’s an area you mow, you can push the bricks down into the dirt, so you can mow over them in the future.

[Frog_Pond]

@fanfayre

Well, since you know where your field is :eek:, you know your tank is between there and the house ;)! At least that eliminates a large area from your search parameters. :yes:

Mmm, maybe. My leach field is 800’ away from my home, and there’s a tank and a pump – to push it uphill for 800’! – about 50’ away from the house. Without the septic “map”, the cleanouts that dot the landscape, and the manhole covers, you’d never guess the path of this wacky system. It dodges bedrock and buildings and – it’s just ridiculous. When it goes, I’m tempted to just build an outhouse.

Best of luck, OP, and may your system make a lot more sense than mine!

[trubandloki]

If you are going to pay someone to dig it might be more cost effective to hire a plumber with a camera. Let them find it for you. Then the digging only has to happen in one place.
There will be the bonus of the plumber seeing how the rest of the piping is (clogs, etc).

That black pipe is metal I am guessing.
Cast iron soil piping.

[jbonifas]

Be glad you have leach fields with you tank…in Louisiana where the water table is very high we have sprinklers that come on as needed to disperse the excess water in the tank and no you do not know when they will come on so mowing the grass is always exciting.

[fanfayre]

@trubandloki

That black pipe is metal I am guessing.
Cast iron soil piping.

No, it’s ABS plastic pipe.

[Cat_Tap]

@fanfayre

No, it’s ABS plastic pipe.

Yes, thank you, plastic pipe… I am still digging. I think I may be getting close, I seem to detect a slight odor however I am tired of digging. Called the pump guy back,he must be getting old. I asked if he didn’t have some kind of gadget for locating. He said to call him back Friday. I may have to call another company since this isn’t a lot of fun. Have more holes in the front lawn now but am probably not digging deep enough.

[Cat_Tap]

Couldn’t look after the septic on Friday as I had to put in an urgent call to the vet. Called around today to see if any one had a magnetic locater. No luck and no one would come unless I found the lid. So today I went at it again and finally found the lid. It was about 6 feet out, at the front door, which is about 10 feet over from where the pipe leaves the house. I think it is full. I do detect a slight odor. I had poked around this area previously but wasn’t convinced it was the right area. It is too late in the day to get on tomorrow;s schedule but they plan to come Wednesday.

I am relieved. At first I thought the problem was going away but got a bit worse again yesterday after a heavy rain.

I will post again once it is cleaned up to let you know how bad it was. Thank you all for your support.

Even though my closest neighbor is almost a mile away I am sure they heard me when I yelled “I found it”.

[Bluey]

Good for you, you found the lids!

We put risers under the lid so the lids are at ground level now and it works well for us, no more hunting for lids.

[trubandloki]

If nothing else, get out your camera and take photos of exactly where you found it. Then save that photo with a very obvious name in lots of places so you will know right where the lid is next time it is needed.

[JanM]

You can also get something to mark the spot, maybe the reflective driveway markers? My septic has two round hatches, and another one over the pump housing, but the third one is next to the alarm tower, so it’s easy to find. You might have more than one hatch or place to mark.

[Cat_Tap]

@PeteyPie

Cat Tap, I hope you follow up and let us know what the problem is and how you resolved it; it’s a learning experience for all of us.

Had it pumped last Thursday. It was full. Turns out the baffel which keeps the solids at the bottom and lets the liquid rise to the exit pipe had broken off. It is quite possible that the outlet pipe was clogged and the liquid did not run out into the leech field. He is repairing the baffel this week. I guess considering this is only the second time in 36 years that I have had the tank emptied the system has done very well for me.

Also happy to know now where the lid is, though the front lawn looks like a plough has gone through.

Coth has come through for me once again. I am now an expert on septic systems.

[fourfillies]

Happy ending!