If you’re planning a septic system replacement, you need to know where your existing septic tank is. This location is crucial for several reasons, and you may need to adjust drainage lines or install them in a different place.

Local Health Department Public Permit Records

Contact your local health department and ask for public permit records. The number of permits issued will tell you how many homes are served by the same septic system, which makes it easier to locate each tank. Your building contractor may be able to provide information about your home’s original construction plans.

Your Building Contractor

To locate your septic tank, contact your building contractor or home's construction documents to find out who installed it. If not possible, records at your town hall or city offices may contain information about who installed the system when it was built. Try contacting local officials and asking them for help locating the septic tank lid.

Locate the Main Sewer Line and Follow It

If the main sewer line is running through your yard, follow it until you reach an elbow joint or stop sign indicating where it connects with other lines to determine where your septic tank is located. Look for signs of concrete or other material that indicate a man-made structure beneath the ground's surface. Also, look for signs of vegetation dying around this area because it may indicate an underground structure is present due to poor drainage conditions caused by these structures blocking water flow from reaching plant roots below ground level.