How to Find a Septic Tank in Raleigh, NC

I have a Septic System, in my Raleigh Home, and I am not sure where it is located

To allow the septic system, in your Raleigh home or office, to work properly, it comes equipped with a rather large septic tank.   Since the septic tank is large, it is simple to believe it is a fairly easy chore to keep track of.  Not so quick.  If the septic tank lid, on your Raleigh property, is buried underground, which is most likely is, then locating it could be a little more difficult.   If you’re not the original, then your chore just got a little more difficult.  At this point, you may not even know where to begin the search for your Raleigh home’s septic tank.

If the property is large, then you have a larger area where the tank could be located further complicating the issue.  Brantley Septic understands the difficulties surrounding owning a septic system in Raleigh, NC, specifically when you do not know where the tank is located.  Our experiences have provided us with keen insight to resolve these types of issues for Raleigh home and business owners.  We have pulled together tips that are designed to assist in the search and eventual location of the allusive septic tank.  There remains the best option of contacting Brantley Septic and letting us do the chore for you. (252) 478-3721

Follow the Sewer System Pipes, From Your Raleigh Property

Parallel installation is the most common septic tank installation method allowing for the tank and drainfield to be parallel to the sewer line extending from your Raleigh property.  In the basement or crawl space of your home, locate a 4-inch sewer pipe indicating the point where the septic system leaves the house.   Slowly and very carefully follow the pipe across the yard.  Use the process of probing the ground every 2 feet or more to find the lid.  The septic tank is not supposed to be closer than 5 feet from the house due to city codes and regulations.  However, it can be as far as 10 and 25 feet away.

Check and Review Durham County Records

Checking and reviewing Durham county records is helpful, particularly if you’re not the original owner.  Most counties maintain records of building permits, including the installation of septic systems for every property.  Typically, the records will contain a diagram with dimensions showing the location of the septic tank on the property.

Additionally, before purchasing the property, a home inspection was done, and it may contain a diagram of the septic system.  What you are looking for, in the drawing is the relative orientations of the tank and your house, and the distance from the tank to the side of the house from the point of exit.  Take special note of landmarks, around your Raleigh property, because they tend to change over time.

Schedule Maintenance for Your Raleigh Property

Whether or not your efforts have been fruitful in locating your septic tank, contact Brantley Septic to schedule a complete maintenance and inspection for your Raleigh home or commercial property.  The one thing to keep in mind is to not attempt to open the tank yourself.  Due to the weight of concrete septic tank lids, specific lifting tools may be required for removal.  Most importantly, an open tank can be very dangerous due to the potentially hazardous wastewater and toxic fumes.  Leave the dirty part to us.

If you are unable to locate the septic system lids or prefer Brantley Septic finds them, skip the tips provided above and give us a call.  Our Raleigh team is waiting to help.  Also, if you’d like to add risers to your septic tank for easy access in the future, it’s an option with Brantley Septic.

When the Work is Done, Disguise the Lids to Your Raleigh Property

Now that you have gone through the trouble of locating your tank, digging up the lids, and possibly adding risers to your Raleigh home or office, you should keep that area clear and visible, so you don’t have to go through the same process next time you are due for septic tank maintenance. However, septic tank lids can be a bit of an eyesore! Some ways that you can hide your lids in plain sight are to cover them with an object like a lightweight plastic rock, a birdbath or a planter box.

Brantley Septic has been locating lids and servicing Raleigh area septic tanks for years and our trained professionals are ready to help with all of your septic tank needs. Schedule service, for your Raleigh residential or commercial property, online or call us today at (252) 478-3721