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How to Find the Precise Location of Septic Drainfield Piping SepticAPedia ©

• How to find the septic drainfield or leach field
• A Guide to Tools & Methods to locate septic components precisely

This article and our accompanying septic system location videos explains how to find the leach field or drainfield portion of a septic system. We include sketches and photos that help you learn what to look for, and we describe several methods useful for finding buried drainfield components. (Septic drain fields are also called soil absorption systems or seepage beds.) Also see How to Find the Septic Tank. A septic pumping system will be needed. More videos on septic system location & maintenance are at SEPTIC VIDEOS.

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. Technical reviewers and content suggestions are welcome and are credited at "References."

This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. 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.

Guide to Finding Septic Drainfields - Part 6

How to Use Special Equipment to Locate Unknown Drainfield Piping Location Precisely

At the end of the day, if you must locate an exact leach field trench and if there are absolutely no visual clues, then

• Start at the septic tank: find the tank outlet use a plumbing snake either to:
  
  
• Measure distance to the next obstruction (likely to be the D-Box - see our Distribution Box article) which places it along a known arc of distance from the point where the snake was inserted
  
  
• Use an electronic snake system (call a plumber) which puts an electronic signal in the plumbing snake and which permits an above ground tracing of the precise path the snake has taken underground
  
  
• After locating the D-box (if there is one), open it to see how many individual leach lines leave the box, and uses the same process as above to find them.
  

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SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
  Why Look For the Drainfield?
  Using Septic System Records
  Where to Look
  Areas Not Likely
  Locate Piping Precisely
  Excavating to find Drainfield
  Surprising Leachfield Locations
  SEPTIC VIDEOS show how to find the drainfield and tank

Detailed Guide for Finding Other Septic System Components

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Septic System Information Website home page for septic system design, installation, maintenance, repair
• Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
• Septic Drainfields, Leach beds, Drwells, Absorption Systems
  • Absorption Field Design size and specifications for leach fields, absorption beds, gravelless systems, seepage pits
  • How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
  • Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
  • Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
  • Table of Required Septic Tank, Drainfield, & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
  • Septic System DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
• Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• How to Measure the Distance From the House to the Septic Tank gives details of making a septic location sketch.

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