Where can I find septic records?

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How to Find Septic Tanks Through Records:
  • Ask the Prior Owner of the Property. This might be the easiest way to find a septic tank.
  • Consult County Records. The county should have a copy of your property's septic tank installation permit records on file.
  • Call Around to the Local Septic Tank Pumping Companies.



Regarding this, how do I find my septic records?

How to Find Septic Tanks Through Records:

  1. Ask the Prior Owner of the Property. This might be the easiest way to find a septic tank.
  2. Consult County Records. The county should have a copy of your property's septic tank installation permit records on file.
  3. Call Around to the Local Septic Tank Pumping Companies.

Likewise, how deep is the top of a septic tank? Septic tanks are typically rectangular in shape and measure approximately 5 feet by 8 feet. In most cases, septic tank components including the lid, are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. You can use a metal probe to locate its edges and mark the perimeter.

One may also ask, can you find a septic tank with a metal detector?

Helpful hints for locating a septic tank: A metal detector help locate a buried concrete tank by finding the reinforcement bars. Don't wear footwear with any steel when using the metal detector. A plumbing cleanout snake can be run through the sewage pipe to find the septic tank.

What is a septic as built?

“As-built” refers to the drawing on file that shows where a drain field (septic system) was installed on a particular piece of property.

22 Related Question Answers Found

How far does septic tank have to be from a house?

The distance for a Septic Tank, Waste Water Treatment System or Percolation Area from a house is as follows: Percolation Area: 10 metres. Septic Tank: 7 metres. Sewage Treatment System: 7 metres.

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

Inspect and Pump Frequently
The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

Where is the septic tank pump located?

Most grinder pumps are located in the basement of a house connected to the drain pipe that flows into the septic tank system. The pump will have electrical wiring attached to it.

What does a septic tank look like?

The septic tank is a buried, water-tight container usually made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. Its job is to hold the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle down to the bottom forming sludge, while the oil and grease floats to the top as scum.

How do septic systems work?


Septic tanks work by allowing waste to separate into three layers: solids, effluent and scum (see illustration above). The solids settle to the bottom, where microorganisms decompose them. The middle layer of effluent exits the tank and travels through underground perforated pipes into the drainage field.

Do I have a septic tank?

Walk around your yard to look for a large bump in the grass on one side of the house. A sign that you have a septic system is a domed area under the grass. The size of the bump will vary depending on your house and the number of toilets you have, but it may be noticeable.

How big is my septic tank?

Septic Tanks are usually about 4.5 feet wide x 8.0 feet long x 6 feet tall. Tanks are typically buried 4 inches to 4 feet deep depending on local site conditions, shape, slope, and other factors. Here is the basic math for computing septic tank capacity (volume) in gallons.

Can you use bleach with a septic tank?

A small infusion of bleach from a load of laundry will not affect a few thousand gallons of water and bacteria in your septic tank. They release bleach and other chemicals with every flush, and are not safe for homes on septic. Never pour raw cleaners, bleach, or household chemicals down the drain.

How do I find my leach field?

Start your search for the septic tank lines at the house. Trace the plumbing drain lines to the septic tank, which is usually installed 10 to 20 feet from the home's exterior. At the tank's end opposite the house, the drain line leads to the leach field. Check the natural slope of the land to locate the leach field.

Can you drive over a leach field?


Can I drive or park over my leach field? No. It is not recommended, but limited driving of light vehicles should not harm a properly installed leach field. Under wet conditions, however, any heavy packing of the earth over the distribution lines will have a negative impact on effectiveness.

Do all septic tanks have 2 lids?

Most septic tanks are rectangular and measure about 5 feet by 8 feet. A two-compartment tank installed after 1975 will have two lids of either fiberglass or polyethylene, centered at opposite ends of the rectangle.

Can a septic tank be too deep?

Keep septic tanks high: we don't put the septic tank any deeper than necessary, since we are usually moving effluent from the septic tank to the drainfield also by gravity. Plumbers usually install sewer lines to slope down from inlet to outlet, at 1/8" per foot to 1/4" per foot of linear run of the waste pipe.

Can I cover my septic tank lid with dirt?

However, a pipe or lid in the middle of a lawn may seem unsightly to some homeowners. A common solution to this problem is to situate the lid of the riser a few inches below the surface of the lawn. This way, grass and a thin layer of soil or another landscaping surface can cover the lid.

How long does a septic system last?

Typically, a steel septic tank will last between 15 and 20 years. Tanks made of concrete or plastic are usually preferable in terms of longevity. A properly maintained septic system with a concrete tank can last well over 40 years.

How deep does a leach field have to be?


Depth. Place the pipes in the leach field a minimum of 6 inches and most likely between 18 to 36 inches deep according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension. Each leach field requires an individual design as soil and water tables vary from state to state and within states.

Does a septic tank have to be underground?

Septic tanks are very common in rural properties where no mains drainage is available, the purpose of a septic tank is to treat waste water. It is usually buried underground near the property and will either be rectangular and made of brick, stone or concrete, more modern tanks will be a bottle-shaped plastic tank.

Should I get a septic inspection when buying a house?

Experts say you should get a septic system inspection every three years. But that means homeowners get an inspection only when issues that may signal big trouble arise, such as when the toilet backs up, water takes too long to drain, or there's an actual septic system leakage.