Step 1 dig up entire tank. Step 2 lay 2 inches of fresh sod on top of it. Step 3 poke a rod through the easily penetratable sod to locate the edges of tank. Steps 1 and 2 are crucial to the effectiveness of rod. Your welcome
trying to dig mine up.. its under HARD AS ROCK red clay/dirt.i've found one lid. but my dad tells me there are TWO.. so now im digging trying to find another dam lid
Did you ever find the second one? I have to dig mine out and will probably start when I get home. I've done some fence posts and I have nothing but rocks. It's not going to be fun. How deep were your lids?
Seriously! That probe will be useless in desert soil. I was trying to locate my septic tank with one of those drill bit planting augers and a HD hammer drill. The soil tore the auger to pieces and melted the gears in the drill.
Also true for those of us who live in the Rocky Mountains (specifically Colorado) where it's a struggle to dig anywhere & not encounter massive rocks that are almost impossible to move even with equipment...
USN, Ret. trying to purchase my first home with a Septic System. My experience in Lake, Seminole, Orange and Volusia Counties...most owners have no "As-Is" drawings, companies are not registering their installed systems with the health department, I can't get a straight answer on the last baffle filter change, and I can't get a guy who pumps and inspects tanks to quote code. Most troubling is the sound of crickets when I ask for the tank capacity as it relates to the number of rooms. Especially since most homes I look at have add-on rooms. My logic tells me if a guy doesn't know how to build a Septic System to code, he can't adequately inspect one. Why Chuck?
They should always install risers for easy access. But no. Bastards want to save few $ and always bury the lid 2-3 feet below ground and never leave the location known. Not even on the septic permit chart. Makes me so mad...
It really is ridiculous considering how vital it is to know the exact location. I remember growing up, we always had a rope sticking out of the ground as a marker. Always thought it was weird. Now I understand. But, I would definitely install risers now.
Im not sure how the 3" vent line thing tells you where the tank is, maybe that works for moden code houses? I have three large bents out of my house. Two are on opposite sides of the houseand one is basically in the middle of the roof, so they basically twll you nothing aboit where my tank is. Which i actually know its location and where the lid is, im just watching this for no reason 😂
Hey-thanks for the beautiful reminder that if I believe I can do something, I can. I am recently divorced and figuring out how to take care of what is now my semi rural property on my own. Sometimes it feels like a really big job. Thanks for reminding me that I am up to it!!!
What a really nice guy... Comes off as very likeable, I agree with him if you believe that you can do it then you can do it.... And I believe I can do a lot of things just not under this system we live in where it creates Monopoly at the top and corrupts the bottom thank you Apple drain for the positive message
wow nice & ez..I've got home bought at auction goin on 20 yrs ago & a big black swamp 50ft from it which has steadily grown from neglect over yrs..I've probed from home to swamp,dug sum potholes...steeeerike!
Thank you for this video! I have a question. I've been asked to keep the leads cracked open for an inspector that would come in a 3 weeks window time, but it's raining. Can the septic tank have the leads cracked open when raining? 3 weeks is a long time. Thanks.
We have an aerobic system with 3 lids. For some unknown reason two of the covers had risers above ground and one cover was buried. I had to find the 3rd lid and managed to do so using this video. A piece of advice, wet the ground if it's pretty dry so that you don't have to jam the probe in extremely hard. In my case I jammed it into the pvc pipe that blows air into the mixing tank and poked about 7 holes in it...I was probing the length of the pipe thinking, this is the weirdest shaped lid ever!!! Thank goodness for jb weld plastic weld for pvc. Saved me the headache of having to repipe.
Here in Volusia County Florida I have never seen a tank that shallow, ours are like 2/3 feet down. And $475 to pump out, maybe in Orlando but up here away from all the tourists we pay $200/210 tops.
This made me laugh. I live in Maine, where you _literally_ cannot sink a shovel more than one inch into the ground without hitting a rock, and you're showing us how easy it is to push a probe through 2-3 inches of fresh sod. Oh well; at least I had something to chuckle over as I sweated my guts out with my homemade probe and a shovel.
Where do you get a probe? I only found a 4" pipe sticking sticking out the ground. I think mine is at least 12 inches or more below ground. We tried a pipe like thing and it didn't go into the ground. I have no idea how old septic tank it. From old farmhouse
This is a great and helpful video. I wish it was that simple where I lived but, I have gumbo soil that is hard as cement when it is dry, so the probe does not work. The guys I hired had a camera and were able to locate the septic tank. . I'm not sure if I'm supposed to continue digging on my own to expose the cover or if they are going to do it.
Whats the box called that lets you look into the leech field line. they inspected mine and said minor issues with standing water. but its like th elittle port to pee into a pipe. says on my paper sealed tank surley there is lid to the tank
Kinda sounding like “Surf Guitar” at the end😊 thanks for the video. Much needed demonstration for this DIY er semi- retire who bought my first home in rural NC coming from California (what’s a septic tank…)
Most Septic Tanks actually have 3 covers, at least here in the North Eastern United States anyway. By the way, pumping is recommended every 2 to 3 years depending on the size of the tank, and the number of people using the system.
Brother your a life saver, I had forgotten all about the vents on top of the house to find the my septic. You probably just saved me about $100 thanks a bunch!
I’ve got a problem. Lived in the same house for ten years. Recently we noticed cockroaches coming up one drain in our bathroom. What is safe to send down the drain and into the septic that would kill roaches but not the good bacteria? Thanks!
I just had a cesspool guy come and go and couldnt find it! Told me to find it and he will come back next week! When I last got it done it was dark and Dec and they found TWO in short notice!
I have an update! They sent me a bill for a service charge!! I just got off a 20 minute phone call yelling at them that I am not paying a service charge when there was no service! He poked the ground thre times and declared he wants $125 to find it!
![FendiDa Rappa - Clock Dat ft. Shamar Marco [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NBU8KHdxYY/mqdefault.jpg)
Is it just me or does it look like he just laid fresh sod down on top of it???
It's now 2022, are you still worried about that damn sod?
@@rockeruss555it’s 2023 now and I am worried about it
He already knows where the damn thing is
Its 2024 and I also have concerns
Yep and it seems to be about a quarter inch deep too.
Step 1 dig up entire tank. Step 2 lay 2 inches of fresh sod on top of it. Step 3 poke a rod through the easily penetratable sod to locate the edges of tank. Steps 1 and 2 are crucial to the effectiveness of rod. Your welcome
Still works
Ohhhh those pre cut squares..... my laugh box is on fire ! 🤣🤣
trying to dig mine up.. its under HARD AS ROCK red clay/dirt.i've found one lid. but my dad tells me there are TWO.. so now im digging trying to find another dam lid
Did you ever find the second one? I have to dig mine out and will probably start when I get home. I've done some fence posts and I have nothing but rocks. It's not going to be fun. How deep were your lids?
Would be helpful to have one of these videos for people who live in desert - hard packed clay doesn't allow probes like you use here
Seriously! That probe will be useless in desert soil. I was trying to locate my septic tank with one of those drill bit planting augers and a HD hammer drill. The soil tore the auger to pieces and melted the gears in the drill.
Also true for those of us who live in the Rocky Mountains (specifically Colorado) where it's a struggle to dig anywhere & not encounter massive rocks that are almost impossible to move even with equipment...
USN, Ret. trying to purchase my first home with a Septic System. My experience in Lake, Seminole, Orange and Volusia Counties...most owners have no "As-Is" drawings, companies are not registering their installed systems with the health department, I can't get a straight answer on the last baffle filter change, and I can't get a guy who pumps and inspects tanks to quote code. Most troubling is the sound of crickets when I ask for the tank capacity as it relates to the number of rooms. Especially since most homes I look at have add-on rooms. My logic tells me if a guy doesn't know how to build a Septic System to code, he can't adequately inspect one.
Why Chuck?
They should always install risers for easy access. But no. Bastards want to save few $ and always bury the lid 2-3 feet below ground and never leave the location known. Not even on the septic permit chart. Makes me so mad...
It really is ridiculous considering how vital it is to know the exact location. I remember growing up, we always had a rope sticking out of the ground as a marker. Always thought it was weird. Now I understand. But, I would definitely install risers now.
That technique doesn’t work when the tank is 16” below grade and there is 12” of packed rocky clay on top. Happy digging! 😉
I just duh 2 feet to find part of my tank😮
Im not sure how the 3" vent line thing tells you where the tank is, maybe that works for moden code houses? I have three large bents out of my house. Two are on opposite sides of the houseand one is basically in the middle of the roof, so they basically twll you nothing aboit where my tank is. Which i actually know its location and where the lid is, im just watching this for no reason 😂
Hey-thanks for the beautiful reminder that if I believe I can do something, I can.
I am recently divorced and figuring out how to take care of what is now my semi rural property on my own. Sometimes it feels like a really big job. Thanks for reminding me that I am up to it!!!
POOP!!!! What happens if you dropped your camera in there?!? Also I hope you washed your shovel afterwards.
Stupid question
think I seen a fresh piece of broccoli over in the corner 🤔
Awesome video. Now from that where can I tell where the leech field is. I need to find where the leech field is before having the pool installed
Hey Chuck great video and lot of good information, Thank you
What a really nice guy... Comes off as very likeable, I agree with him if you believe that you can do it then you can do it.... And I believe I can do a lot of things just not under this system we live in where it creates Monopoly at the top and corrupts the bottom thank you Apple drain for the positive message
Your the man Chuck!! I started watching you years ago, Now I make videos
This is stupid, the grass was lay down 20 minutes earlier, this is not the real story in how to find the lid, it is a lot more involved then that
so all tanks have 2 lids? - My septic tank has been pumped a few times over the years and they have only uncovered 1 lid. The tank is from 1998.
How can I locate, accurately, my leach field lines?
wow nice & ez..I've got home bought at auction goin on 20 yrs ago & a big black swamp 50ft from it which has steadily grown from neglect over yrs..I've probed from home to swamp,dug sum potholes...steeeerike!
Your videos are vary educational. Thank you for teaching such valuable information to home owners. Ontario Canada .
imagine dropping your camera in the septic tank
Thank you for this video! I have a question. I've been asked to keep the leads cracked open for an inspector that would come in a 3 weeks window time, but it's raining. Can the septic tank have the leads cracked open when raining? 3 weeks is a long time. Thanks.
That little bit of rain water will do nothing .It is raining all over your septic system anyway?
Hey Chuck, I can’t find my septic tank.
We have an aerobic system with 3 lids. For some unknown reason two of the covers had risers above ground and one cover was buried. I had to find the 3rd lid and managed to do so using this video. A piece of advice, wet the ground if it's pretty dry so that you don't have to jam the probe in extremely hard. In my case I jammed it into the pvc pipe that blows air into the mixing tank and poked about 7 holes in it...I was probing the length of the pipe thinking, this is the weirdest shaped lid ever!!! Thank goodness for jb weld plastic weld for pvc. Saved me the headache of having to repipe.
🔥🔥🔥 GREAT VIDEO CHUCK 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you. This was educational.
Here in Volusia County Florida I have never seen a tank that shallow, ours are like 2/3 feet down.
And $475 to pump out, maybe in Orlando but up here away from all the tourists we pay $200/210 tops.
Who lays fresh sod just to tear it all up?
This made me laugh. I live in Maine, where you _literally_ cannot sink a shovel more than one inch into the ground without hitting a rock, and you're showing us how easy it is to push a probe through 2-3 inches of fresh sod. Oh well; at least I had something to chuckle over as I sweated my guts out with my homemade probe and a shovel.
Glad to help
get a thin 1/4 inch rod and a cordless drill, and drill around the tank edges.
Where do you get a probe? I only found a 4" pipe sticking sticking out the ground. I think mine is at least 12 inches or more below ground. We tried a pipe like thing and it didn't go into the ground. I have no idea how old septic tank it. From old farmhouse
Shouldn't that incoming pipe have a T on it to direct the solids to the bottom, or is that not a good idea since it is coming from a pump?
I found my lid using this video. Yay
I'm content with locating the tank and letting someone else worry about what's inside.
Did I miss part 2?
This video will help me a lot❗ Thank you❗🐾❤
I live in Apache Junction, Arizona try probing through caliche. The one thing he’s not saying is some soil you can’t probe
Sometimes you just have to work a little harder 😄
It's not simple probing hard dirt
This is a great and helpful video. I wish it was that simple where I lived but, I have gumbo soil that is hard as cement when it is dry, so the probe does not work. The guys I hired had a camera and were able to locate the septic tank. . I'm not sure if I'm supposed to continue digging on my own to expose the cover or if they are going to do it.
Did they dig it out or was it your chore?
Whats the box called that lets you look into the leech field line. they inspected mine and said minor issues with standing water.
but its like th elittle port to pee into a pipe. says on my paper sealed tank surley there is lid to the tank
Oh yeah. She's a poppin.
I’m drunk as shit right now, gotta dig in sand in the dark to find mine
Kinda sounding like “Surf Guitar” at the end😊 thanks for the video. Much needed demonstration for this DIY er semi- retire who bought my first home in rural NC coming from California (what’s a septic tank…)
Great video, thank you
Why is mine under 6 feet of dirt.,?? I'm still digging by myself
Thanks for your comment
Most Septic Tanks actually have 3 covers, at least here in the North Eastern United States anyway. By the way, pumping is recommended every 2 to 3 years depending on the size of the tank, and the number of people using the system.
Hi - Is the lid typically right in the center of the top of the tank? Approx how deep is the top of the tank buried? Thanks.
I think maybe saying this is a example...being you can see sod is just thrwn on top
I just google mapped, yall here in central Florida. To my surprise you dis not appear. 🧐
Brother your a life saver, I had forgotten all about the vents on top of the house to find the my septic. You probably just saved me about $100 thanks a bunch!
That is a very shallow tank! Ours are 2ft below grade.
Not so easy when it’s 2 feet deep and there’s about 1 million large boulders covering it
I’ve got a problem. Lived in the same house for ten years. Recently we noticed cockroaches coming up one drain in our bathroom. What is safe to send down the drain and into the septic that would kill roaches but not the good bacteria? Thanks!
thank you!
Oh man, what if you had dropped your phone in there?
Stupid question
Oops damnit I dropped my phone.
Mostly gism
Well, that's one shovel going in the trash.. who gonna use it now!
They told me they could not find lid and had to cut in to pump it, is that bad
im lucky moved to a town with sewers
Is the second tank supposed to be deeper than the first one?
How bad does that smell, or does the bacteria reduce the a lot?
My septic tank was 20 inches deep!
Lid is open. Run! This one hasn't been cleaned 8-9 years. Breathe deep!
Chuck you're such a cutie. Even down in that poo tank.
Where is the second lid?
Metal detector!
🤣🤣🤣 Blahahaha, my tank is almost 2’ deep! Come dig mine up that easy!
@@Saltshaker2016 no problem
@@appledrains I’ll let you know. I’m going out to dig it up now.
Assuming the pumping company wants to see the outlet side.
Nope. Only about 10” deep. Not nearly as bad as the previous one.
@@Saltshaker2016 armchair
@@Saltshaker2016 happy birthday
I just had a cesspool guy come and go and couldnt find it! Told me to find it and he will come back next week! When I last got it done it was dark and Dec and they found TWO in short notice!
I have an update! They sent me a bill for a service charge!! I just got off a 20 minute phone call yelling at them that I am not paying a service charge when there was no service! He poked the ground thre times and declared he wants $125 to find it!
It helped a lot but it sticked
sod laying on top of a tank only 2 inches below the ground. Who did this help?
You
funny i dug over a foot down and no tank?
where they measured it. lol
Thanks Chuck. Where is Part 2 Drain Field & Distribution Box?
Gooooood Job