You may have just purchased a home that has a septic tank or perhaps you’ve just never taken the time or interest to locate the septic tank on your property. No worries, many homeowners with septic tanks do not know where they are located.

So, exactly how do you find your septic tank?- The tools you can use include a shovel and a tile probe. If your home has a basement, if you can find where your sewer pipes exit the basement wall your septic tank should be a few feet away from the house in that direction. If there is no basement, then you should have a roof vent. The septic tank again should be located just a few feet from the house in that direction. Extra green grass patch is usually a very good sign that your septic tank us just underneath that area.

Physical Signs Of A Septic Tank

Septic tanks are normally located anywhere from 10 feet to 50 feet away from visible sewer pipes or roof vents. That should give you an idea of what side of the house the septic tank is.

Another clue is the grassy area above the septic tank which is oftentimes very green. But be aware that sometimes, just sometimes that patch can also be dry and brown (which depends on the health condition of your septic tank).

Another physical sign could also be a slight depression in the patch of ground just above the septic tank. This often happens if the tank is sitting on soil that has eroded allowing the tank to sink an inch or so.

If it’s winter time – and it has snowed – normally snow melts much faster on the patch of ground above the septic tank due to the heat that emanates from the tank.

Tools Used To Find Your Septic Tank

Once you have identified the general area where your septic tank is using any of the physical signs I mentioned above, the next step then is to use the proper tools to help you find the exact width and length of your tank. As I listed earlier, these tools are:

  • Tile Probe
  • Shovel

Tile Probe – This is an excellent first tool to use. Simply plunge it into the ground (almost all the way) in an attempt to try to hit your septic tank. You will know when you hit your tank.

Shovel – You would need a shovel if you want to remove the ground that sits above the tank. If you wanted to find the outlet lid for some reason.

How Deep Are Septic Tanks?

The depth a septic tank is buried normally corresponds to how deep the house’s plumbing is. Normally, septic tanks are built deeper than the plumbing pipes which allows the items in the pipe to flow downward.

Generally, the top of the septic tank (including the lid) should be between 4 inches and 4 feet underground.

If you have any questions about septic tank, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.