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The question is,
where is your tank(s) and how deep below grade are the access lids? To
locate your tank:
- Get a copy
of the as-built drawing from the health department. It should show the size
and location of your septic tank(s) and leach field. See
Creates a Septic File under Owner's
Manual to learn about as-built drawings.
- Measure
off the triangulation distances given on the as-built drawing, usually to the
center of the inlet chamber lid.
- Probe or dig for the lids. This can be quite
difficult if the ground is hard and dry; you may want to pre-soak the ground
with a soaker hose for several hours before you start digging. In most cases,
the tank or access lids are within 2 of the surface
- Dig
a 30 diameter hole down to the inlet chamber lid. If
your tank is a single chamber tank, it can be properly cleaned through the
inlet access lid; but if you have a two chamber tank, you will need to also
find the outlet access lid and dig it up.
- Open the lid and look for
the end wall where the 4 sewer pipe comes into the tank from the house.
- Measure
off for your tank size, the following distance perpendicular to the entrance
end wall of the tank to the center of the outlet chamber lid: 1000 gallon tank
= 5.5-6; 1250 = 7; 1500 = 8.5-9.
- Dig up the
outlet chamber access lid.
- If you are
extraordinarily lucky, the as-built drawing is accurate and you have hit the
lids spot on. If not, keep digging until you find them and correct your
drawing.
- If your
lids are deeper than 8 below grade, you should put risers on to bring the
access up to the surface, or at least to 8. See
Makes Tank Lids Accessible under
Owner's Manual.
- Put your
as-built drawing, properly revised in your septic file.
If you cant find the tank, either because the drawing is
inaccurate or it is deeper than 24, then you will need to have it located.
Please see Locating Services under
Resources.
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