[bigheadnred]

Hello All! I am new to this and seek help. My wife and I are looking to pretty up our landscape and make it more usable. We are planning a small patio. We need to level off out property but before that I need to find the lid to my septic tank. I'm planning on putting some type of manhole cover access to it. While going over my property I found a spot on my property (approx. 3ft. in diameter and over what may be the lid to the septic tank.) that sinks much more than any other part when you walk over it. Not only does it sink but sprinks back almost like a trampoline. It is roundish in shape and grass doesn't seem to grow on it (haven't tried all that hard).

Has anyone ever encountered this? What causes this? How do I fix it? Any help would be very appreciated.

Thanks a million.

 

[gregzoll]

Either use a shovel and start digging, or get a 4 foot to 5 foot piece of 1/2" rebar and start probing for the lid. You will know when you hit it. As for placing a patio or deck over it, unless the patio can be torn up easily, I would not place anything over the Septic tank.

 

[bigheadnred]

Thanks for the quick response but do you know what is causing the springing effect in that one particular spot on my lawn?

 

[gregzoll]

You will have to grab a shovel and play archaeologist to find out. Just go slow & easy, do not rush, or you may have bigger issues. Do you know how old this septic system is, and the last time it was cleaned out?

 

[bigheadnred]

10 years old and never pumped

 

[gregzoll]

Then it is time to have it done, before doing any landscaping. Hopefully the field has not failed, along with the tank.

 

[bigheadnred]

No Plumbing issues or strange smells (thank GOD!!!) so im a bit confused.

 

[gregzoll]

No Plumbing issues or strange smells (thank GOD!!!) so im a bit confused.

If it has been ten years, not being pumped, and not knowing when it was last inspected, it is time to do so. Septic systems can fail, even though inside you do not have any issues with the plumbing.

 

[FlyingHammer]

If the tank is only 10 years old, check with your county building department. They should have records showing exactly where the tank is located.

And I agree you need to get it pumped asap. Here in WI they won't let you go more than 3 years.