If you are dealing with any breaks and clogs, you need to know how to find your sewer lines. Locating sewer lines is also something that needs to be done when you make any adjustments to your garden landscape or want to add to your property. Fortunately, there are a few methods that you can use to locate these lines. Not all methods for locating sewer lines will work for every property and you need to choose the right one.
Ask The Previous Owner
If you are buying a property, you should ask the seller for this information. They should be able to provide you with this, but they might not know either. If you have already purchased the home, you could try contacting the previous owner for this information if possible.
If you cannot or do not want to contact the previous owner, you could ask the neighbors. There are times when your neighbors will know about the sewer line placement for your property. If they do not know about your sewer lines, they could provide information about their own which you can use to start looking.
Find The Septic Tank
If you have a septic take, you need to locate it because this will help you find the sewer lines. The sewer lines from your home will lead to the tank via the crawlspace or basement. In most cases, the line will be straight from the house to the tank. The only time this varies is when there are large trees and other obstructions blocking the line.
You will need to probe the ground gently with a small-diameter stake where you think the line will be. The burial depth of the lines will vary depending on the municipality. However, this will generally be between 1 to 2 feet below the ground surface.
Contact The Municipality
Taking a trip to the local building or zoning office might provide you with the information that you need. Property maps and sewer line maps are often stored in these buildings and you can use them to find your sewer lines. Of course, it is important to note that you will not always get a clear answer when contacting the municipality.
In most cases, you will leave them with an area of where your sewer lines cannot be placed. While this may not be the clear answer you want, it will help you in your efforts to locate them. You will know where not to look on your property.
Check And Dig
If all else fails, you will need to look for your drain line in the basement or crawlspace of your property. Where the drain line exits the property is where you should start looking. You should start with a pipe that you know is a drain such as the one from a toilet or sink. You will have to follow this to a larger-diameter pipe which will eventually lead you to the sewer line.
There are a few methods that you can use to locate your sewer lines. Contacting the previous owner or the municipality can be helpful, but will not always provide you with the information you need. Looking for a drain line and following it will lead you to your sewer lines, but it can be time-consuming.
