From sewage smells in the yard to a spike in water bills, several signs could indicate a problem with your property’s cesspool. Knowing where equipment is buried could speed up the repair process since cesspool pumping professionals can get straight to work instead of combing the yard. Locating equipment before the appointment can also save money, as some technicians charge for this service. Here are a few tips to help with the search for your cesspool.

How to Locate Your Cesspool

1. Follow the Path of Sewer Lines

Use the point where sewer lines connect to the outside of the house to find the cesspool. Follow the route of metal pipes near the property foundation until they disappear underground. The pipes should be buried just below the earth’s surface, so use a rebar to gently tap the ground. You’re going in the right direction when you hear the rebar hit metal. 

2. Inspect the Landscape for Anomalies 

Look for areas of the yard that don’t have trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—this is likely where you’ll find the cesspool, away from invasive roots. Keep an eye out for noticeable slopes, mounds, or depressions in the landscape as well since inflow pipes to cesspool systems are often installed just below the earth’s surface. If the cesspool is leaking, the sewage will seep into the surrounding soil and the resulting nutrients will cause rapid vegetation growth, so search areas of the yard where grass is greener or lusher.

3. Look for Hardware in the Yard

If cesspool pumping was performed in the past, markers in the yard could pinpoint the location of equipment. Move gravel, dirt, and tall grass to look for pipes or the manhole cover sticking out of the ground. If hardware isn’t readily noticeable, search the yard with a metal detector. You can also call the cesspool pumping specialist who last serviced your equipment and ask if they still have records of your system’s location.

When you need cesspool maintenance, trust the pumping contractors at Bob’s Sweetwater Pumping Service in Kamuela, HI. For more than 10 years, they have provided cesspool and septic maintenance and repair solutions to the Big Island. To schedule cesspool pumping in Kona or neighboring communities, call (808) 885-7159. Visit the company online to learn more about their services, and follow them on Facebook for more tips to keep your septic system healthy.