(650) 442-1470
Summary:
- Use a soil probe and shovel to locate your septic tank by detecting hard surfaces like the tank cover underground.
- Follow the main sewer line from your home to trace the path to your septic tank. It should be less than 25 feet from your home.
- Look for dips, mounds, or other landscape features that might provide clues to your tank’s location.
- Access public property records or building permits to find detailed information on your septic tank’s placement.
- If you need professional help, call Caccia Plumbing—we can help find your tank and perform any services it needs.
If you have a septic tank, whatever you flush or send down a drainpipe ends up in it. Knowing where this tank is makes it easier to schedule routine sewer line cleanouts and septic tank repairs. Unfortunately, not everyone knows where their septic tank is.
“How do I find my septic tank?” is one of the most common questions we get asked. And since all septic tanks require pumping to prevent them from overflowing, it’s a question you should be able to answer. Below, we show you how to find yours.
Learn More: How does a Septic System Work?
Use the Right Tools
You won’t need too much specialized equipment to find your septic tank, but there are two important tools that can make the process a lot easier:
- A soil probe made of metal. This is a small instrument you can use to pierce the earth and discover anything hard that might be hidden underneath.
- A shovel that you can use for digging when you find your septic tank’s lid.
How to Use These Tools
Go outside to the point where your sewage line exits your home and continue straight out, inserting the soil probe every two feet. Your septic tank will most likely be located between 5 and 25 feet from your house.
You’re looking for the lid of your septic tank—but remember: septic tank covers are often located at or near ground level and are not always visible with the naked eye. While we strongly advise keeping your cover clean and exposed in case you need emergency septic service, not everyone does.
Need a visual? Here’s a video that teaches you how to use a soil probe to look for your septic tank:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqAmhrBU02c
Keep Track of Your Sewer Lines
Following your sewage lines is one of the simplest methods to locate your septic tank. These pipes are typically 4 inches in diameter and are commonly found in your home’s basement or crawlspace.
Every drain in your home connects to your sewer main, which connects to your septic tank. As a result, following the sewage line will take you directly to your septic tank.
Once you’ve determined where these pipes exit your home, you can simply trace them through your yard, using your metal soil probe every 2 feet or so, until you reach the tank. But be careful not to damage the lines by probing too hard, or you might need sewer line repairs!
Get a Septic Tank Map
As a homeowner, you should have received a septic tank map as part of your inspection papers. This map should help you find your tank’s exact position.
However, not every homeowner receives complete documentation upon purchasing a home—and if you inherited your home, this map may have been lost. Don’t worry though—if you don’t have one, the government probably does (and they should be happy to help).
Refer to Public Records
If you don’t have a septic tank map of your own and aren’t having any luck locating your tank, simply contact your county health department! Check with your local health agency to see if they have a property survey map, which should include a septic tank map.
You can actually access a lot of information about your property in California without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Building permits, for example, are frequently included in San Mateo County documents and may include schematics with specifications on how far away the septic tank should be (plus other useful information such as size, etc.).
Unfortunately, this information may or may not be included in the property records for some older properties. However, most counties save septic tank installation records for all addresses.
Look for Imperfections in Your Landscape
Septic tanks are often placed in such a way that they are difficult to see—but dips in the soil or little hills may be signs of a tank cover buried close to the surface of the soil.
If the dips or slopes are within five to twenty-five feet of your property, check them with your soil probe. Just remember, most septic tanks are six inches to four feet underground, so be sure you probe the soil far enough! You want to hit something hard, such as flat concrete or fiberglass.
Where Your Septic Tank (Probably) Isn’t
Your septic tank will most likely not be located beneath any of the following:
- Paved surfaces
- Unique landscape designs
- Your water well (if you have one)
Remember to Schedule Regular Septic Tank Maintenance
You can avoid sewer backups and costly emergency repairs by maintaining your septic tank on a regular basis. For best results, you should have your septic tank pumped out every three to five years (depending on how big it is and the number of people who live in your home).
Related: When To Empty Your Septic Tanks
Caccia Plumbing offers septic tank maintenance and repairs along with our other services—and while it helps to know where your tank is located, it’s not required. Even if you have a vast property, our skilled plumbers have the necessary tools and equipment to locate your tank for you.
We offer high-quality service in San Mateo and the neighboring areas, and we’re open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. We can also provide emergency sewer services if you need them.
Contact us online or call (650) 442-1470 for emergency service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Septic Tanks
Where can I buy a soil probe?
Most home and garden stores have metal soil probes available for purchase. They’re generally inexpensive, and you can use them over and over again.
How deep will my septic tank cover be located?
Most septic tank components are located between four inches and four feet deep.
How can I tell if my home has a septic tank?
The easiest way besides checking any property records you may have is to call your county’s environmental health department. They’ll be able to tell you whether you have a septic tank and give you useful information on how to find it.
I’m not having any luck finding my septic tank—what should I do?
Try asking your neighbors where their tanks are located! Knowing how far away their septic systems are will help you get a better idea of where yours is most likely buried.
How can I tell which pipes are my sewer lines?
If you have exposed plumbing lines in your basement or crawlspace, one of them is most likely your main sewer line. In many situations, this line will be labeled—but if it isn’t, it’s normally a four-inch-diameter metal line. Check to see where this line exits your house and in what direction it’s going. It should flow directly to the septic tank.