Your home’s septic system represents a complex system of pipes, water sources, intakes, and exits that work together to provide your home with the water it needs. An important part of that system is your septic tank helping to regulate all of the waste that comes from your property. So when the time comes to get it inspected — or possibly even replaced — knowing where it resides is half the battle.
The septic system constitutes a piece of equipment you only think about when a problem arises. You may know what your septic system is and what it does, but do you know where to find it? If you’re not a professional in the field, figuring out where your septic system resides can be tricky.
At Delaware Valley Septic, Sewer, & Storm, we provide septic repair and replacement to those in Chester County, PA, as well as the surrounding area. One of the biggest questions that our customers ask our team is, “how do I find my septic system?” If your septic system has been causing you significant problems, then it may be time to get it checked. Here’s how to find your property’s septic system and get to the root of the problem as soon as possible:
Ask Your County
It turns out that most counties hold onto records of the septic systems that are built on each property if they were put in after the county started its map-collecting process. With that in mind, it should be part of your due diligence to check with the county for the information. As a homeowner, you can start by calling or visiting their local county office to request a map of the septic systems in your area. The county health department should also have records of neighborhood septic system maps within the neighborhood.
Inspect Your Property
If your county records do not have a map or your system isn’t shown on it, you can inspect your property to look for signs of your septic system the old-fashioned way. Visual inspections can often indicate where your septic system resides — if you know where to look.
As you investigate, you should look for any visual clues that may indicate there’s a septic system nearby. These signs include pipe cleanouts, grass or ground that appears different, or the actual lid itself. Once you find evidence of where your septic system resides, you can call in the professionals to perform a thorough inspection and maintenance check.
Check the Floor Plan of Your Home
The floor plans and pipe layouts of your home can provide you with valuable insight into how your home septic system is laid out. If you still have access to these documents, you can find the visual cues you need to find out how your septic system is laid out and where the tank itself resides on your property.
Follow the Pipes
As with most components of your home’s water system, following the pipes will eventually lead you somewhere. You can try to follow the pipes to find where your septic system is buried on your property. If that doesn’t work, remember that all septic systems have some kind of connection to your house, usually in the form of a pipe. If you have a basement, find a space where the sewer line leaves your house and follow it outside. Most of the time, you’ll be able to find the septic system about 20 feet outside of your home.
If all else fails, and you still can’t find your home’s septic system, please feel free to contact us for any assistance you may need, including septic system inspections in West Chester, PA, and other local areas. To learn more about finding your septic system, give us a call today.
