- 1). Contact your local county health department. Ask for a layout map of your septic system. Some departments keep these records indefinitely while others don't. Depending on what area you live in, you may or may not be able to retrieve a map if the system is old. Having a map is the easiest way to locate your septic tank. All you need to do is follow the directions and measurements provided.
- 2). Check to see where the main drain pipe leaves your house. This will give you a general direction of where your septic tank is at. Look for a low spot in your yard--your septic tank may be buried underneath. If you see a greener spot, it could mark either the tank or the drainage field. Or, if you see gray or black water lying in your yard, this is a good indication the drain field is underneath and that means your septic tank is nearby.
- 3). Use a long steel rod to probe the dirt where you believe your septic tank is. You'll need to push the rod down at least 2 to 3 feet deep to hit the concrete tank. When you hit a solid object, pull the rod out and check the area around it. If you keep hitting something solid in a large area, it's probably your septic tank. If it's buried shallow, you can use a shovel to dig it up. If it's deep, you'll need a backhoe.
- 4). Use a magnetic locator or a metal detector to locate your septic tank. Even though they are made of concrete, the clean-out lids on septic tanks usually have metal handles.
- 5). Hire a septic system inspector to locate your tank if the system isn't working properly. He can find and mark the location for you. And, he can figure out what's wrong with your septic system.
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