You may can locate your septic tank yourself, without calling a plumbing professional. You can try with a tool as simple as several feet of metal rod. That might save you some money on the estimate, when work does need to be done. But how do you go about it, if starting without a clue?
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There may be documentation, from when you bought the house. You can search the desk for it. Or maybe you can still contact the previous owners. But if you can’t locate the paperwork, or get in touch with the previous owner, you may still be able to do it yourself. With some simple tools you can venture out into the yard and begin your search. The simplest tool is a steel rod, perhaps five feet or more long. You need one that long because the tank lid may be several feet below the surface. Start by locating the point where the main sewage line leaves the house. Working out from there, probe gently until you hit something hard. The tank will likely be several feet from the house, at least, as required by modern building codes. If the probe doesn’t turn up anything, you can try a magnetic detector. Even though the tank is concrete, metal reinforcements and covers are likely used. The magnetic detectors can find the tank even if it is several feet deep in the ground.
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But if your efforts fail, don’t despair. Call your local plumbing professional. They know how, and have the tools to do it right. Your plumber can find the septic tank and provide you with an estimate on the work you need done.
