View Full Version : Lost: One Septic Tank!
Does anyone know how to find a septic tank without digging up the garden and surrounding fields?
I have no idea where my septic tank is. It’s not on the plans and the council doesn’t know as they don’t hold detailed plans for properties this old (1970’s). I have visually inspected the area but to no avail. My neighbours don’t know either. I can’t ask the previous owners as I don’t have an address for them, plus they weren’t here that long and probably don’t know either...
Do I really have to start digging up the garden!
Is there anyone local that does this sort of thing?
Any suggests or advice would be gratefully received.
Chris
Does anyone know how to find a septic tank without digging up the garden and surrounding fields?
I have no idea where my septic tank is. It’s not on the plans and the council doesn’t know as they don’t hold detailed plans for properties this old (1970’s). I have visually inspected the area but to no avail. My neighbours don’t know either. I can’t ask the previous owners as I don’t have an address for them, plus they weren’t here that long and probably don’t know either...
Do I really have to start digging up the garden!
Is there anyone local that does this sort of thing?
Any suggests or advice would be gratefully received.
Chris
I have the same problem. Someone suggested dowsing with a wire coathanger - It didn't work :( I hope someone can help
There could be a rodding point somewhere between the house and the tank so look for a metal cover or square piece of concrete. The other way is to have a look for an overflow pipe as that should be within a few yards of the tank.
Get some marker dye and flush it down the bog.
Keep your taps running and investigate any ditches around your house. Many older septic tanks simply drained into these ditches. If you are lucky enough to find an exit point, you may be able to make out the 'run' of the pipe on the ground back to the tank.
HTH.
Get some marker dye and flush it down the bog.
Keep your taps running and investigate any ditches around your house. Many older septic tanks simply drained into these ditches. If you are lucky enough to find an exit point, you may be able to make out the 'run' of the pipe on the ground back to the tank.
HTH.
You must be a clever wifie MrsK - thats a very sensible option
The Angel Of Death
20-Oct-09, 12:18
Metal detector ? See if you can pick up the pipes or the tank obiously depending on if its made of metal
If not the tried and tested follow your nose ;)
Does anyone know how to find a septic tank without digging up the garden and surrounding fields?
I have no idea where my septic tank is. It’s not on the plans and the council doesn’t know as they don’t hold detailed plans for properties this old (1970’s). I have visually inspected the area but to no avail. My neighbours don’t know either. I can’t ask the previous owners as I don’t have an address for them, plus they weren’t here that long and probably don’t know either...
Do I really have to start digging up the garden!
Is there anyone local that does this sort of thing?
Any suggests or advice would be gratefully received.
Chris
Why not ask SCOTTISH WATER...they may have emptied it in the past.
Had friends that lived in middle of nowhere who were Adamant they had no septic tank ....were on mains they said...........UNTIL,one morning they awoke to find their garden awash with sewage and stinking filthy water.
Yes,they did have a septic[ as we had suspected.] tank,
Hope u do find it very soon.;)
If you haven't been there very long the tank would have had to be registered with SEPA before the house was sold. It's a fairly new requirement brought in last year - all septic tanks have to be registered now. SEPA might know anyway.
Kevin Milkins
20-Oct-09, 17:16
There is a process of elimination that you can use by having a look at the link below, IE it has to be 7 meters away from the house. Good luck.
Septic Tank Systems - (http://mantaircontracts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=40)
Aaldtimer
20-Oct-09, 17:21
If all else fails...call in Time Team!:lol:
pentlandlad
20-Oct-09, 19:34
Our septic Tank cover is a couple of large flag stones, sited about 25 foot below the kitchen window, and still works fine.
thebigman
20-Oct-09, 21:55
Recommended distance is 15 metres from the house.
Plumbers might and Scottish Water do have a pipe locator which goes down the drain on a rod and emits a signal which is picked up by a reciever above ground.
silversurfer
20-Oct-09, 22:16
Contact the Environmental Research Institute in Castle Street Thurso.
I believe they have a ground radar system which would find it without intrusion into your garden.
Good luck!
purplelady
20-Oct-09, 22:58
I had this problem last year when we sold our house but i would recomend sepa they were very helpful , is it shared one or your own x
Regarding regulations about distances from houses - this will have no bearing on old properties at all.
Ours was right next to the house (under flagstones) and discharged into the ditch at the side of the A99.......
Regarding regulations about distances from houses - this will have no bearing on old properties at all.
Ours was right next to the house (under flagstones) and discharged into the ditch at the side of the A99.......
And we can't find a cover for our anywhere on the property - combed every inch of 2 acres :(
And we can't find a cover for our anywhere on the property - combed every inch of 2 acres :(
OK.
First thing, locate where the toilet waste runs out of the house and note which way it runs. It's not going to run uphill. Look down any slight slope from that point for anything that could be covering your tank....and get some proper marker dye like I said earlier.....
If you're unlucky enough to be on a perfectly flat site, look for any patches of slight discoloration on the grass. A long steel rod may help you probe for flagstone covers that have been covered over. Some tanks may drain into a soakaway - which is an area where the water runs off and dissipates into the ground without the aid of a final 'exit' pipe to a drain/mains. Again, look for slightly different colour or terrain.
Talk to the guys who do the pumpouts in your area, some of them have been doing the job for a long time and may actually know where it is. It worked for us when we lived outwith the County a few years ago.
And we can't find a cover for our anywhere on the property - combed every inch of 2 acres :(
It is there somewhere....:D
It is there somewhere....:D
Been having a look with Google Earth :)
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/l34nn3_k4ut/land2.jpg
Been having a look with Google Earth
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/l34nn3_k4ut/land2.jpg
Good thinking,very clever.....let us know.;);)
I would just like to say thanks for all the advice.
I'm going to try some of the suggestions as soon as if the weather picks up.
Where's the picture of by the way......?
Chris
Where's the picture of by the way......?
Chris
The picture is my property viewed on google earth. You just type your postcode in and it zooms in :) BRILLIANT!
The picture is my property viewed on google earth. You just type your postcode in and it zooms in :) BRILLIANT!
http://forum.caithness.org/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Phill_Rawlins/itsalljustrandom/?action=view¤t=land2.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cim g%20src=%22http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Phill_Rawlins/itsalljustrandom/land2.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket %22%3E%3C/a%3Ehttp://s805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Phill_Rawlins/itsalljustrandom/land2.jpg
Just switch to thermal imagery mode and it'll show you heat sources.
http://forum.caithness.org/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Phill_Rawlins/itsalljustrandom/?action=view¤t=land2.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cim g%20src=%22http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Phill_Rawlins/itsalljustrandom/land2.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket %22%3E%3C/a%3E
Just switch to thermal imagery mode and it'll show you heat sources.
Ha ha funny!
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