Septic Tank

Septic Tank

We're trying to buy a home in Orange County, NY & we wanted the septic tank pumped before signing the contract. We did the dye test already & it passed. The septic man went there today & couldn't find the tank. The seller said he doesn't know where it is but it was pumped 2-3 years ago. The septic man even brought out a metal detector thingee to find it but he guesses its a cement tank since the metal would have bleeped. Did anyone ever hear of anything like this?

Re: Septic Tank

we were in the same position....no one knew where the tank was. We were told they would have to flush a devise down the toilet then wait outside with a metal detector to listen where it when to. thank god our neighbor remembered when the tank was installed and told them about where it was

I have never heard of a metal ceptic tank. I thought they were all made of cement.

Re: Septic Tank

Your septic tank is most likely concrete. The use of grund penetrating radar (gpr) would only detect it if it had a meal cover to it. You should be able to trace the lines though.

Re: Septic Tank

Wouldn't it show up on your survey??

Re: Septic Tank

Thanks, as idiotic as it sounds, the survey done in 1997 for our sellers shows no sign of the tank. Now my real estate agent is going to the clerks office to look for the records or she's asking our atty if he can get the original survey easier.

Re: Septic Tank

If you didn't already, you should use the same septic company that pumped out the tank the last time. They generally keep charts and diagrams as to where your tank is located. They usually measure and diagram the distance to the tank from two corners of the home.