Septic System Locating
Expert septic tank and system component location throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, and Western NC
When You Need to Find Your Septic System
Do you know exactly where your septic tank, distribution box, and drain field are located on your property? Many Western North Carolina homeowners don't—especially if they purchased an existing home or own a larger mountain property.
Viking Environmental and Septic Services provides professional septic system locating services throughout Western North Carolina. Our experienced technicians use specialized equipment and proven techniques to accurately find your system components without unnecessary digging or property damage.
Why Professional Septic System Location Matters
Knowing the precise location of your septic system components is essential for:
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
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
Our Professional Locating Process
Viking Environmental and Septic Services employs a systematic approach to finding your septic system:
1. Historical Research
We begin by gathering available information:
- Reviewing any existing system records or permits
- Examining property maps and surveys
- Discussing system history with property owners
- Assessing property age and likely installation era
- Reviewing any maintenance records
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
Components We Locate
Our thorough locating service identifies all major septic system components:
Primary Components
- Septic tanks: The main treatment vessel for household waste
- Distribution boxes: Junction points that divide flow to drain field lines
- Drain fields: The soil absorption area for treated effluent
- Tank lids and access ports: Critical for maintenance access
- Inlet and outlet pipes: Connecting the house and tank components
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
Why Choose Viking for System Locating
Western NC Expertise
Our team specializes in the unique challenges of mountain properties:
- Experience with diverse Western North Carolina properties
- Understanding of historical installation practices in our region
- Knowledge of local system types and configurations
- Familiarity with challenging mountain terrain
- Expertise with older, non-standard systems common in rural areas
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
Our Service Area
Our Service AreaWe provide Septic System Locating Services throughout Western North Carolina, including:
- Buncombe County, NC - Serving Asheville, Arden, Black Mountain, Candler, Fairview, Leicester, Swannanoa, Weaverville, and Woodfin
- Haywood County, NC - Serving Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, and Hazelwood
- Henderson County, NC - Serving Hendersonville, Fletcher, Etowah, Flat Rock, Horse Shoe, Mills River, and Mountain Home
- Madison County, NC - Serving Marshall, Mars Hill, Hot Springs, Spring Creek, and surrounding communities
- McDowell County, NC - Serving Old Fort, Marion, Nebo, Pleasant Gardens, and surrounding areas
- Polk County, NC - Serving Columbus, Tryon, Mill Spring, Saluda, Green Creek, and Lynn
- Transylvania County, NC - Serving Brevard, Pisgah Forest, Rosman, Cedar Mountain, and Lake Toxaway
- Yancey County, NC - Serving Burnsville, Micaville, Cane River, Green Mountain, Swiss, and Price Creek
Signs You Need Professional System Location
Consider our locating service if:
- You recently purchased a property and don't have system documentation
- You need maintenance but can't find access points
- You're planning construction or landscaping projects
- You're selling your home and need to document the system
- You've never had your tank pumped since ownership
- You're experiencing septic issues that require component access
- Your property has changed ownership multiple times
- Snow or overgrowth has obscured system markers
- You're concerned about accidentally damaging your system
What to Expect: The Locating Process
Before Our Arrival
To make the location process more efficient:
- Gather any existing documentation about your system
- Note any visible components or prior maintenance access points
- Consider recent areas of unusual grass growth or soil conditions
- Prepare information about your home's plumbing exit points
- Ensure reasonable access to your property
During Our Visit
Our professional location service typically includes:
- Brief consultation about your property and system history
- Initial visual assessment of likely system locations
- Methodical use of location equipment in targeted areas
- Careful probing when necessary to confirm findings
- Documentation of all located components
- Explanation of the system layout and function
- Discussion of any recommended follow-up services
After Location
Once your system is located, we can:
- Proceed immediately with pumping or inspection if requested
- Install risers for easier future access
- Mark components for future reference
- Provide documentation for your records
- Schedule follow-up maintenance services
Frequently Asked Questions About Septic Locating
Schedule Your Septic System Location Service Today
Don't guess about your septic system's location. Professional system locating from Viking Environmental and Septic Services provides the information you need for proper maintenance, property planning, and peace of mind.
Our septic system locating services start at $120, with additional services like tank pumping or inspection available immediately once your system is located.
Call (828) 782-0003 or contact us online today to schedule your professional septic system location service.
Viking Environmental and Septic Services: Exceptional service done right the first time. Proudly serving Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Transylvania, Polk, and Yancey Counties with professional septic system locating services