Old Septic question

[Saltaholic]

Hey guys- we acquired a piece of property a while back with an old 1960 and a leech line type septic tank on it. The house is being moved out but how can I tell if the septic system is good? And where are the lines? The system currently does function but there’s no evidence of where the lines are at all.... and no company in my area wants to mess with it. Could I just build a new shop above grade over the assumed lines?

Headache lol

[Matt_C]

Don't build over the existing leech lines. those lines normally will absorb material after they go bad and they will go bad at some point. Have you found the Septic tank part yet? If not, then find the tank and then get a rod that septic guys use and try to find the septic lines coming from it. I'm sure more experienced folks on here can tell you how to do that.

[Atfulldraw]

Step 1 - have it pumped out, then rent a mini excavator and fill that sucker in.

You can then follow the drain lines to keep removing them. There are probably only a couple, maybe just one.


I have no idea what the laws are where you live....this advice probably breaks at least three plumbing rules or environmental protection ordinances.

[Saltaholic]

Yes I found the tank and really hope it’s usable it’s just finding the lines now I guess.

[meltingfeather]

Definitely don't build over septic lines unless you want headaches.

[Antlers86]

I built a house a couple years ago. Tied into the septic after finding the original tank. Hired a company to come out, drained tanks and look which direction the lateral line was. Once verified that I did not build over them we connected and so far no issues. No clue how old the system is.

Being that yours is from the 1960s I would follow Post #3 (Atfulldraw) recommendations.

[RattlesnakeDan]

Use a wire, bend at a 90 angle and hold it lightly in your closed hand. A divining rod thing. I have used one for decades to locate septic tanks, leach fields, electrical lines etc.... It can be more accurate than electrical equipment if you get the hang of it.
Note* It does not work for everyone, not sure why.

[MacDaddy67]

I could tell where my grass was really green where the septic lines were located....
followed the outlet line of the house to locate the tanks

[Saltaholic]

I could tell where my grass was really green where the septic lines were located....
followed the outlet line of the house to locate the tanks

Tried that but it hasn’t been used enough

[Blane]

Saltaholic, get you a probe rod that you can buy at any plumbing supply shop. Find the outlet side of the tank where the san tee or 1/4 bend heads out. Probe the exterior of the edge of the tank until you find the pipe and then follow it. Most likely going to be thin wall 4" perforated pipe, potentially buried with gravel around it. This thin wall stuff is notorious for collapsing in on itself and filling with dirt and roots. Really need two tanks or a dual chamber tank. One for solids and the second for liquids prior to them going out into the field lines. If this is for the shop, one tank would work fine. Depending on your soil type may just be able to dig up the existing leach lines, and add 100' or so of 8" gravel less pipe and be fine. Not a septic installer but I have been around it throughout the years.

[Saltaholic]

Thanks!! Found a local plumbing company that says they can find and mark the lines plus do a simple function inspection this week

[brokeno]

Use 2 welding rods bent at 90 degrees about 3 inches from the end. Hold them lightly in both hands about a foot apart. When you cross the septic line the rods will cross.

[Kmiles84]

You may check with your county first before tying into the existing system. In most situations your old septic was grandfathered in until you moved your house and disconnected from it, grandfather died after that. A septic disclaimer would be needed at that point where you would hire a sanitarian to come out and verify the tanks and if you have two and submit that to the county for approval to tie in. But every county is different