Many U.S. homes rely on septic systems. In fact, according to the EPA, more than 60 million people in the United States use septic systems. If your home has a septic tank, you'll need to have your system periodically pumped, and maybe repaired. However, you'll need to locate the tank first. Here are a few tips that can help you to locate your home's septic tank if you are not currently sure where it is.

Check Your Yard for Signs of the Septic Tank

If you are looking to find your home's septic tank, one of the tips that may help you to locate it is to check your yard for signs of where the tank may be located. Generally, septic tanks are buried one to four feet below ground. As such, a lot of dirt is displaced when burying the tank. You may see a large mound or hill in your yard near the septic tank. Additionally, if the tank was recently placed, there may be less plant life growing over the top of the tank.

Follow Your Sewer Outlet Pipes

Another way to find your home's septic tank is to follow your sewer outlet pipes. Your sewer outlet pipes are typically located in your basement or crawlspace. Follow those pipes from the bottom of your home and walk out. In our experience, the tank is usually located five to 25 feet from your home.

Look at the Septic Tank Map

Lastly, when an installation company installs a new septic tank, they will include a septic tank map with all of your paperwork. Look for this paperwork to see where the tank is buried on your property. If you were not the one to install it, a home inspector or septic tank cleaning company may be able to help.

You can examine your yard for signs of where the septic tank may be, follow your sewer outlet pipes, and/or look at the septic tank map if you are trying to locate your septic tank. However, if you cannot find the tank, you should not worry. A septic tank cleaning company has tools and resources that they can use to help determine where your septic tank is located. If you are looking to hire a septic tank cleaning company to empty your septic tank, call Hutch & Co Plumbing & Septic today to schedule an appointment.