Proper Maintenance

• Enables regular pumping without excavation
  
• Allows filter cleaning and inspection
  
• Prevents accidental damage during yard work
  
• Makes emergency access quick and straightforward
  
• Facilitates routine maintenance and monitoring

Problem Prevention

• Helps avoid driving over and damaging components
  
• Prevents parking on fragile drain fields
  
• Ensures snowplows don't damage shallow components
  
• Allows proper marking before excavation work
  
• Guides fence post or deck footer placement

Real Estate Transactions

• Provides important information for prospective buyers
  
• Satisfies disclosure requirements when selling
  
• Aids in property value assessment
  
• Helps with inspection requirements
  
• Facilitates proper system transfer to new owners

2. Visual Investigation

Our technicians look for visible indicators:

• Depressions or mounds in the yard
• Changes in grass growth or color
• Existing cleanout pipes or vents
• Patterns in snow melt or frost
• Water flow during heavy rain
• Previous excavation evidence

3. Advanced Location Techniques

When visual clues aren't sufficient, we employ specialized equipment:

• Electronic tank locators that detect metallic components
• Sewer cameras to trace pipe routes from the house
• Soil probes for non-invasive subsurface investigation
• Dye testing to confirm system connections
• Ground-penetrating radar for difficult locations
• Signal transmitters for tracing non-metallic pipes

4. Component Mapping

Once located, we document your system's layout:

• Marking key access points
• Measuring distances from fixed reference points
• Documenting component depths
• Mapping drain field dimensions and orientation
• Recording pipe routes and junctions

5. Access Improvement (Optional)

For easier future access, we can add:

• Riser installation to bring access to surface level
• Access port installation for buried components
• Surface markers for drain field boundaries
• Distribution box access improvements
• GPS coordinates for digital record-keeping

Additional System Elements

• Pump tanks: Secondary tanks containing effluent pumps
  
• Dry wells: Older overflow systems sometimes present
  
• Diversion valves: For alternating drain fields
  
• Control panels: For systems with electrical components
  
• Cleanouts: Access points for pipe maintenance

Non-Invasive Techniques

We prioritize methods that minimize disruption:

• Using electronic location before physical probing
• Employing precision techniques to reduce excavation
• Careful hand digging when necessary
• Minimal impact to landscaping and property
• Clean restoration of any disturbed areas

Accurate Documentation

We provide comprehensive information about your system:

• Detailed location measurements
• Component depth documentation
• Sketch maps of system layout
• Digital photos when helpful
• GPS coordinates when requested

Complete Septic Services

As a full-service septic company, we offer:

• Immediate service after location (pumping, inspection, etc.)
• Professional assessment of located components
• Maintenance recommendations
• Repair options for any identified issues
• Ongoing care from the same company that knows your system

During Our Visit

Our professional location service typically includes:

1. Brief consultation about your property and system history
2. Initial visual assessment of likely system locations
3. Methodical use of location equipment in targeted areas
4. Careful probing when necessary to confirm findings
5. Documentation of all located components
6. Explanation of the system layout and function
7. Discussion of any recommended follow-up services

After Location

Once your system is located, we can:

1. Proceed immediately with pumping or inspection if requested
2. Install risers for easier future access
3. Mark components for future reference
4. Provide documentation for your records
5. Schedule follow-up maintenance services

What if you can't find my septic tank?

In rare cases where conventional methods don't succeed, we can use additional techniques like dye testing or camera inspection from the house to trace the system. We have multiple methods available and are persistent in our approach.

Do I need to be present during the locating service?

While not absolutely required, it's helpful for you to be present so we can discuss findings and recommendations. If you can't be there, we can leave documentation of what we found.

How accurate is septic system locating?

Our methods typically pinpoint tanks and distribution boxes within inches of their actual location. Drain field mapping provides the general layout and boundaries of the absorption area.

Can you locate old or abandoned systems?

Yes, we can locate most older systems, though it may require additional time and methods. Abandoned systems can be more challenging but are often identifiable with our specialized equipment.