septic tank location

[john2236]

So I've ran into an issue, and I'm thinking about getting a metal detector to help with this problem and to also get into the hobby.

I had one as a kid, but haven't used one in probably 20 years. I've often thought about getting one again, but now that I've run into an issue I'm more seriously considering it, although I don't know that it would actually help with the problem I'm having.

So I need to find my septic tank, and unfortunately, it's not located where it's supposed to be. I'm thinking that the lid is metal of some sort since it's older.

I've been trying to find information on how effective different metal detectors are at deeper depths, and have uncovered the obvious, that the type and size of the object will impact how deep a metal detector can alert someone to something. The info I've found has then highlighted how deep detectors can typically detect certain objects, but everything I've found has referenced rather shallow depths of smaller objects.

Would a certain type of metal detector be able to pick up something that's potentially 3ft deep if the metal object is flat (as in a lid) and horizontal to the ground? If so what types? and more specifically one that would also be usefull in treasure hunting?

Thank you

 

[Martin_V3i]

What is the build date of the property?

 

[john2236]

what is the build date of the property?

1978

 

[Martin_V3i]

My house was built in 1980. I found my septic lid by accident with my very first detector, even before I got out of my own yard when I started the hobby. The lid was cement, but reinforced with rebar.

If yours is the same, your machine will see that huge lid. Mine was at a minimum of 2 feet. I also found my older brother's tank on a visit. That find was another accident. Hope this helps.

 

[john2236]

My house was built in 1980. I found my septic lid by accident with my very first detector, even before I got out of my own yard when I started the hobby. The lid was cement, but reinforced with rebar.

If yours is the same, your machine will see that huge lid. Mine was at a minimum of 2 feet. I also found my older brother's tank on a visit. That find was another accident. Hope this helps.

Thank you for the quick response. I'm seeing that some detectors can be rather pricy, would I be able to find it with a detector in the few hundred dollar price range?

 

[john2236]

and again, I wouldn't be looking for one just for this, but to go out exploring other things with

 

[ToySoldier]

Thank you for the quick response. I'm seeing that some detectors can be rather pricy, would I be able to find it with a detector in the few hundred dollar price range?

Septic companies use a metal soil probe. It's much cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-99203-Tstyle-48_inch/dp/B00KOMTJ7E

 

[jmaryt]

Thank you for the quick response. I'm seeing that some detectors can be rather pricy, would I be able to find it with a detector in the few hundred dollar price range?

yes! your covers are cement with a rebar handle.they should be within 2 feet of the surface.>any" detector with an all metal mode will find the rebar handle as long as you know approx. where the tank is buried if you do not know approx. where the tank is buried ,then you will find everything metal in your yard, and be forced to dig everything to find the "handle" which ,of course will be a gigantic "pain in da ass!" i'm just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[DbblTap]

2 feet is nothing when it comes to onsite systems.
What you have to do is locate the line leaving the building, trace that out.
With the typical MD you will spend hours looking and digging.

GLHH

Sent from my LGLS775 using Tapatalk

 

[georgeinsc]

The type of area you plan on exploring and the items you hope to find can have a lot to do with what type of metal detector you will do the best with. I live near three beaches. I see about any and all kinds of detectors on those beaches. Most inexpensive (a few hundred dollars) detectors do not work anywhere close to well on a wet salt water beach due to the mineralization of the salt water. But they will work on the dry sand

 

[john2236]

Septic companies use a metal soil probe. It's much cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-99203-Tstyle-48_inch/dp/B00KOMTJ7E

Thanks ToySoldier. I've tried this, but unfortunately, it has uncovered a ton of rocks without any positive results.

The property is on a hill, so I'm thinking that the lid maybe a little deeper than normal because of the septic being buried with it's shallow most part being deep enough for it to be covered, then the opposite side of the septic closest to the house would have more soil covering it (possibly a foot or two more on that side of the tank). The hill and rocks have made this more challenging than initially anticipated.

 

[john2236]

yes! your covers are cement with a rebar handle.they should be within 2 feet of the surface.>any" detector with an all metal mode will find the rebar handle as long as you know approx. where the tank is buried if you do not know approx. where the tank is buried, then you will find everything metal in your yard, and be forced to dig everything to find the "handle" which, of course, will be a gigantic "pain in da ass!" i'm just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

Thanks jmaryt, this has already turned into a giant pain in the ass, lol, but it has to be found, and after looking up on this website some of the things that others have found with their metal detectors I'm actually curious as to what other metal objects may be on the property.

 

[john2236]

2 feet is nothing when it comes to onsite systems.
What you have to do is locate the line leaving the building, trace that out.
With the typical MD you will spend hours looking and digging.

GLHH

Sent from my LGLS775 using Tapatalk

I've found a few before, and have typically traced the pipe out of the houses, then the septic was straight out, usually no more than 20 feet from there, but I think the placement of this one is slightly different due to the terrain. It's on a hill and there are giant rocks and boulders all over the place. It's already turned into a several hour ordeal. I'm determined to give it a shot

 

[john2236]

The type of area you plan on exploring and the items you hope to find can have a lot to do with what type of metal detector you will do the best with. I live near three beaches. I see about any and all kinds of detectors on those beaches. Most inexpensive (a few hundred dollars) detectors do not work anywhere close to well on a wet saltwater beach due to the mineralization of the saltwater. But they will work on the dry sand

Thanks George, I think more than anything if would be interresting to use searching the woods near me for things like civil war artifacts. Maybe dry sand on local non-saltwater beaches.

 

[jmaryt]

Thanks jmaryt, this has already turned into a giant pain in the ass, lol, but it has to be found, and after looking up on this website some of the things that others have found with their metal detectors I'm actually curious as to what other metal objects may be on the property.

it's imperative that you know approx. where the tank is buried, or you will drive yourself nuts looking' for the handles to the covers! do you have a schematic? ya gotta know the where the general area where the tank is buried first! then poke around with your detector to pick up the u-shaped handles of the covers! find your outflow pipe where it exits the house and try to track it out, but ya gotta know 'distances" and this is where your schematic will help to locate your tank!
i'm just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Jare]

I myself have had luck finding large deep objects with my bounty hunter tracker 4 (under 100$). This isn’t an advertisement, just my personal experience. Good luck.

 

[amc rulz]

You can possibly rent a detector from one of those U-Haul businesses, I know they rent ‘em in my hometown.

I locate my septic lid, concrete-rebar handle, but only my Explorer can just find it at about 15” deep.

 

[Martin_V3i]

Here is a good key to look for in locating a septic tank which has rebar reinforcement imbedded in it I just went to my known location of my septic tank. I got good readings and an indicated depth on the depth meter saying just 2 inches. Well, I kept raising the coil and swinging, and I thought I would never lose tone! I was over well over 2 feet in the air.

It might be faster for you to actually swing a foot or more in the air when you first search. That advice goes against conventional metal detecting methodology but in this case, you are looking for a very large target.

Now, if by chance you don't have rebar reinforcement(I highly figure that all modern tanks have rebar though)...you won't gain anything with a high swing of say 1'-2' for a large signal. It can't hurt to try, and it should be faster. You could likely hit that signal by simply walking in a straight line, with the coil elevated.

Don't know if it helps but my tank reads a VDI similar to aluminum pull tabs. I would run with no discrimination at all anyway. Also, my grass when left un-mowed for a while, clumps taller near the tank and field lines. I do have simple range grass though.

 

[Nerdling]

Septic companies use a metal soil probe. It's much cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-99203-Tstyle-48_inch/dp/B00KOMTJ7E

Years ago when I worked for a Septic pumping company, that is exactly what we used. It was quicker than trying to use a metal detector.

 

[john2236]

Thank you, everyone, I managed to find it with a bully tool, probe thing. There was a schematic but it wasn't accurate. It wasn't located where the schematic said it was, which was what was causing the issue. It was not only deeper than the schematic said it would be but also about 20 feet away from where it should have been. I'm still looking at getting a detector for personal use and will likely be on here with future finds and questions in the future.