If you recently moved into a home in Riverside County, you might know you have a septic system, but do you know where it is? Finding your tank is the first step in proper septic system maintenance. You don’t want to wait until there is a backup to start digging around your yard.

At Davis Plumbing, we help homeowners locate their systems every day. Here are the best ways to find your buried treasure.

1. Look for the “Clues”

Start by looking for a 4-inch PVC pipe sticking out of the ground—this is your vent or inspection port. Also, look for any unexplained high spots or depressions in the lawn. Sometimes, a septic riser lid might be visible at the surface, hidden under a thin layer of grass or a decorative rock.

2. Check Your Property Records

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health maintains “as-built” maps for most properties in the 951 area. These diagrams show exactly where the tank and drain field were installed in relation to the house.

3. Follow the Main Stack

Go to your crawlspace or basement and find where the main sewer line exits the house. The septic tank is usually located 10 to 25 feet away from that exit point, following a straight line into the yard.

4. The “Probe” Method

You can use a thin metal rod to gently probe the soil in likely areas. You are looking for the solid “thump” of a concrete or plastic tank lid, usually buried 12 to 24 inches deep. Be careful: Don’t probe too hard, or you could damage a pipe.

5. Call in the Professionals

If your tank is buried deep or the property has changed over the years, save yourself the back-breaking labor. A professional septic tank inspection team uses electronic locating equipment to find your tank in minutes without digging unnecessary holes in your lawn.

We Locate and Service Tanks Fast

Can’t find your tank? Davis Plumbing can help. We use advanced locating technology to find your system, uncover the lids, and provide a professional septic pump all in one visit.

Call Davis Plumbing at (951) 657-0393 to take the guesswork out of your septic maintenance.