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SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC TANK SIZE
SEPTIC TANK TEES
SEPTIC & GREYWATER FILTERS
SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION
SEPTIC CLEARANCES
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  Safety Warnings
  When to Pump
  Find the Septic Tank
  How to Open Septic Tanks
  Open the Septic Tank
  Inspect Before Pumping
  Pumper Truck Operation
  Pumping the Septic Tank
  Inspect During Pumping
  Washing Septic Tank Sides/Bottom
  Inspect After Pumping
  Close the Septic Tank
  Record Septic Tank Location
  Advising Owners
TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
SEPTIC TREATMENTS
SEPTIC CONSULTANTS
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
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SEPTIC VIDEOS
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Photo of septic tank sludge and
scum layer being broken up prior to septic tank cleanout.

How to Find the Septic Tank
SepticAPedia ^©

How to pump out / clean a septic tank, step by step photo-illustrated guide
Before starting, some safety warnings for septic pumpers and homeowners
When to pump, how to find the septic tank, inspect before opening the tank; removing the tank cover
How the pumper truck or vacuum truck is operated
Tank inspection before pumping; Actually pumping out the septic tank; inspections while pumping
Washing the septic tank after pumping, inspecting the tank after pumping
Closing the septic tank, recording the septic tank location, advising homeowners

Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

The basic steps in finding and servicing a septic tank are given here, accompanied by photographs that show each of the critical steps in pumping, cleaning, and inspecting a septic tank. We link to description of the detailed steps in finding the septic tank, locating the distribution box, finding the drainfield, and locating other septic system components. How to find the septic tank - a procedural guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks, how a conventional septic tank is located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected. This introductory guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

A Photographic Guide to Pumping a Septic Tank

How to Find the Septic Tank

PHOTO of excavation during septic system repairs - knowning the septic tank location can avoid tank damage during repair work and can speed servicing the tank and cut tank pumping cost. The photo shows excavation during septic system repairs - this is not the best way to find a septic tank. Knowing the septic tank location can avoid tank damage during repair work, and it will save on septic tank pumping cost since you won't be paying an excavator to find and expose the tank cover.

Avoid "finding" the septic tank by using a backhoe unless the operator is very skilled and careful. At our first home with a septic tank the backhoe operator "found" the septic tank by driving over it and crushing it, leading to a costly repair.

An building owner who has had the septic tank cleaned before is likely to know just where it is located. In an older home an owner may have a drawing of the tank location or may have drawn measurements to the septic tank on a garage or basement wall, perhaps near the main waste line outlet.

If no record of the septic tank location is at hand, an experienced septic pumper can generally guess where the tank is likely to be by inspection of the property, or s/he can locate the tank by careful probing. Special equipment using a plumbing snake and electronic sensors and other methods are available when needed.

When the septic tank has been located, note if it is installed with improper clearances from other site features such as a private well, and inform the owner accordingly. The measurement procedure to record the septic tank cleanout cover location is at Recording Septic Tank Location.

For complete details on how to find a septic tank or drainfield, see these full text articles and videos

Septic Tank Location - Detailed Step by Step Procedure Explaining Exactly How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location. The steps in this article include
Drainfield Location - a detailed procedure on how to find the septic drain field or leaching bed.
Table of recommended distances from the septic tank or drainfield to other site features, buildings, lakes etc.
SEPTIC VIDEOS - our videos show how to walk a homesite to find where septic components are likely to be and where they should not be found.

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The Septic Systems Online Book - Where Are We?

Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

First Chapter: SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
This Chapter: TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  Safety Warnings
  When to Pump
  Find the Tank
  How to Open Septic Tanks
  Open the Tank
  Inspect Before Pumping
  Pumper Truck Operation
  Pumping the Tank
  Inspect During Pumping
  Washing Septic Tank Sides/Bottom
  Inspect After Pumping
  Close the Septic Tank
  Record Tank Location
  Advising Owners
Next Chapter: TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
SEPTIC TREATMENTS
SEPTIC CONSULTANTS
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC DESIGN ALTERNATIVES

Technical Reviewers

Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material.

Daniel Friedman - principal author
Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
Technical reviewers are invited to comment or ask questions - contact us

Use links at the left of each page or the ones shown just below to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
Cesspools Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
Clearances & Distances from septic system components to other site features, property boundaries, waterways, etc.
Outside Inspection - - Simple Visual Site Inspection Gives Key Information About Septic System Condition
Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for Septic Tanks: When, How, What to Watch For when pumping or cleaning septic tanks

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CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

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