Trick to find a septic tank

[rkinsella]

Hi,

I am struggling to find the septic tank in the large garden of the house we are considering buying. I followed the direction of the outflow from the kitchen into the garden and dug holes in seeming likely spots (balds). Found a lot of stones, some cut plastic piping which may mean I am in the right area but still no cigar. The garden is very overgrown which isn't helping the situation.

Is there any engineer's trick that I will point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Ray K

 

[stardanny]

Manhole?

Daniel.

 

[rkinsella]

No sign, presume there is a hole some where to deslug it

Pretty much what I am looking for.

Ray K

 

[Dean744PiN5]

worth a punt http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Dowsing-or-Divining-Rods

 

[Bosswhite]

Metal Detector (a kiddies starter detector would do the job)
Manhole lid.

 

[stardanny]

How do you know there is a septic tank there?

Would the person who own the house know?

Ask next door about their drainage.

One clue to where about is the air vent sticking out of ground, it usually near the manhole for septic tank.

Daniel.

 

[Burnerman]

All you may find are concrete slabs - there may be no metal involved at all.
One clue is to look for particularly lush vegetation (especially dock leaves) at one of the lower parts of the site.
John

 

[richardrich79]

Are you sure it's a septic tank or is it a cesspit?. If it's a tank the current owners should have some idea if it's ever been pumped out.
If not get your solicitor to ask the question regarding actual location as part of the conveyance.
We had a cottage where the 'septic tank' turned out to be the old village well capped off in a nearby field.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I would insist a full and proper survey is done (at the Vendor's expense) to ascertain the condition of the drainage system. There have been several cases recently on another forum where people are seeking advice, having bought a property only to find the drainage system (i.e. Septic tank) isn't working (for various reasons) and to sort it out was going to cost £ thousands.....

I have come across a situation myself, having attended a 'Septic tank' problem, only to find when the cover was lifted and the chamber pumped out, it was not a tank but a normal straight through manhole.... No amount of searching could locate any form of tank or cesspit!

If DIY is the only option, then either rod from a suitable point, or get a jetting contractor in to jet the pipes. Where you hit an obstruction, then carefully dig to see what you can find. I say carefully, because should you hit any form of pit, it's likely to be deep and possibly full of sh1t, and either way, escape may not be very easy....

 

[Tipper]

The surveyor on my last purchase never found the tank! He said the alignment of inspection covers was not logical and couldn't advise where the drains went for part of the house.

He just recommended a camera drain survey which we had done. Only cost about £150 back in 2009 iirc.

We found the drains were split into two systems, part main drains and part septic tank due to public drain levels. So we now pay an extortionate amount for top floor drains to SWW whilst the lower floors drainage is almost free, just the occasional sludge gulp!

 

[Richardthe3rd]

As a Master Plumber in my considered opinion you should; stick rods down any manhole, at least that'll give you the chainage.
Of course it being rural Eire, there may not be a septic tank installed.

 

[HERTS P&D]

CCTV survey is the only way to go on this, start from the soil stack and go from there.

If you go lurking around the garden, make sure you have someone with you. If you fell in to a septic tank, you wouldn't be able to climb out.


Andy

 

[rkinsella]

There definitely is a septic tank _somewhere_. The council inspected and past it in 1988 - I have documentation from them, so it existed then.

I spent three hours trying to find it on Sunday, with no luck. So in frustration, I threw down the gauntlet down to the vendor on Monday and said find it or risk more delay.

He came back with a less than helpful - it is in the side garden, it should obvious where it is. WELL I CAN'T FIND IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone suggested it's lid is either going to be a metal manhole or concrete slab (with metal support in it), and that a metal detector might find it?

 

[Burnerman]

The concrete slabs will have metal reinforcing bars and lifting handles more than likely......metal detection does sound like your best bet!
John

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Unless the lid has been replaced with a paving slab at some point in the past, in which case a metal detector would be as much use as a chocolate teapot.... In any case, follow Andy's advice, if you fall in you wont be getting out again unaided.....