How to open the septic tank.

Septic tank cleanout or cover location, access, opening procedures. We describe some things to check before opening the septic tank, such as subsidence, evidence of recent work, or unsafe septic tank covers.

Then we illustrate how the septic tank cover or access port cover is removed. We explain why the best way to clean a septic tank is to pump out through a central manhole-sized cover, not an 8" cleanout port and not through the inlet or outlet baffle.

Procedures for Safe Opening of a Septic Tank, Cesspool, or Drywall for Inspection or Cleaning

A Photographic Guide to Pumping a Septic Tank

Article contents:

• SAFETY CHECKS BEFORE REMOVING a SEPTIC TANK COVER - How to remove a septic tank cover
• SEPTIC TANK COVER OPENING PROCEDURE
• SEPTIC TANK COVER LID STUCK - Ideas for removing the access sopening cover

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Inspection Points Before Removing a Septic Tank Cover

• Subsidence (depressions or low areas in the soil) at the septic tank location - may risk dangerous, potentially fatal collapse
• Evidence of recent work which may need to be investigated to understand the condition of the septic system
• Evidence of backup or effluent breakout at the surface in the septic tank area
• Septic Tank Cover Safety: here a round tank cover was found over a collapsing home-made collection of concrete blocks which had been stacked by the owner to form a septic tank access well.
  
  There was a dangerous collapse risk forming a fatal hazard because the masonry blocks were askew and loose, and because the tank opening into was larger than the cover.
  
  We covered the area with plywood, roped it off, and told the occupants and owner of this condition immediately orally and also in writing.

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Procedure for Opening the Septic Tank Pumping Access Port

The septic tank should be cleaned from a cleanout port - usually located in the center of the tank.

Pumping the septic tank through a small access opening such as over the intake or outlet baffle does not provide enough space to adequately reach and remove sludge from the septic tank bottom, and it risks future clogging of the tank inlet or outlet by incompletely-removed floating scum.

In this example we knew from prior work, the measurements to the exact location of the septic tank cleanout cover.

The photo shows the septic tank cleanout port which we found and excavated to prepare for opening the septic tank. The cover is about to be removed using a wrecking bar.

Note that we excavated far enough back from the tank opening itself that when we remove the cover we won't have a lot of dirt falling into the septic tank.

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Septic Tank Opening Cover is Stuck

WATCH OUT: if indeed the septic tank cover, lid or access opening has partly caved into or sunken into the tank then the situation is very dangerous - an unsafe cover means someone could fall into the tank - which is usually quickly fatal.

Keep people away from the septic tank area until you've had the tank inspected and opened for further inspection by an expert.

Use a wrecking bar to pull up a septic tank cover?

A properly constructed concrete septic tank lid includes both access openings and cast in iron loops to which a hoist can be connected.

For covers over a concrete septic tank, we usually hook a crowbar or wrecking bar or similar lever under the iron loop or hook.

However if your septic tank cover does not include those points of purchase for lifting you will need a flat bar and a larger wrecking bar to pry up the excavated lid from the septic tank sufficient that you can put a chain around the lid probably 2 Chains, to lift the lid with a hoist and tripod mechanism or you will use an on-site motorized hoist

If while using a chain hoist or a section of horizontal lumber propped over the tank lid, supported one end by a post and the other by a hydraulic jack, neverthelss the lid remains stuck and you're breaking a good 4x4 thenb I suspect just pulling isn't going to work.

It's even possible that someone, trying to seal the tank lid against ground water leakage, oozed some silicone or maybe butyl sealant around the lid edges when it was last installed: that'd stop leaks but makes a heck of a job for the next person needing to open the tank.

However you can usually loosen the stuck septic tank top by some thoughful hammering with a SMALL sledge, with CARE so as not to break open the top of the tank.

Try tapping around the edges of the cover a few times. Wear goggles so you don't get infected debris in your eyes. For me this has worked pretty much always.

On a rare occasion I've seen septic pumpers have to break off a section of the lid and pry it out with a wrecking bar and more-rarely I've seen some heavy handed blokes break the lid and of course drop it into the tank, requiring a new tank lid.

If your septic tank lid isn't close to ground surface, I'd consider installing a septic tank riser, sealed to the tank top, and a new secure cover atop the riser.

Watch out: falling into a septic tank is usually quickly fatal.

Never work alone.

What if the Septic Tank Cover Hooks or Loops have Broken Off?

Actually if the hooks or handles intended to permit septic tank lid removal have broken away or were omitted, removing the lid may require using a pry bar or wrecking bar, even a small portable winch (not ususally) or other equipment depending on the tank material and condition.

Sometimes the contractor will have to chip some of the concrete top to get a pry bar under the lid to remove it.

Watch out: don't leave any openings un-repaired where surface water may leak into the septic tank.

Watch out: don't leave any septic tank without a safe cover in the closed position.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Having trouble getting the top off of an old septic tank

At our summer cabin in West Virginia, we have an old Septic Tank that was installed in the late 1940's when the cabin was built. My father left no record if/when it was EVER cleaned out, so this is a priority for me.

I dug out the top of the tank, but cannot lift off the cover.

(I'm hoping to have a Septic Cleaning guy come in the next day or two, but wanted to make sure it is accessible.)

Is there some sort of trick to lifting it off, or do I need to uncover more than an inch of dirt around outer edge?

Any advice or help you can provide would be most appreciated. Thank you. On 2019-07-14 by Greg Jones

Reply by (mod) - tips for opening a septic tank cover

Greg

Trick #1 for opening the septic tank

Watch out: DO NOT WORK ALONE

if the tank or cover collapse under you and you fall in you're dead in moments.

Trick #2:

Try a long pry bar like a 2x4 or an iron wrecking bar to pry up the cover - CAREFULLY

Let me know what you find

Can I cut two cleanout openings in the top of my septic tank cover?

My concrete septic tank does not have manholes or openings for pumping out and was installed back in 1979 when the house was built.

The tank measures 6' x 12' and I'm not sure of the depth. Is it possible to cut two 20"/24" diameter manholes with a concrete saw and then install risers with a lid? On 2021-02-24 by Phil

Answer by (mod) - better to install a proper septic tank lid - and make sure yours is a reasonably sized and working tank

@Phil, what you describe is certainly technically possible but it might be less expensive and more sensible to simply replace the entire lid of the septic tank with one that has the correct openings for Access covers.

That's because simply sawing a round hole doesn't guarantee me that I'm making a hole through which the lid cannot be dropped.

Typically those are either holes with sloped sides or holes with a lip or edge.

Watch out: your septic tank doesn't sound like a normal, proper unit. You need help from a septic contractor to inspect the tank to be sure that it has proper inlet and outlet baffles, is of an adequate size, and is functional.

Cover the septic tank opening with plastic after a septic pump-out?

After having the septic tank pumped out, does it make sense to put a plastic bag over the top opening of the tank? What purpose does it serve? On 2019-08-20 by Gerard Ventre

by (mod) - Watch out: don't cover a septic tank opening with a plastic bag alone: unsafe fall-in risk

Gerard

A plastic bag as a sewer line cap doesn't sound right to me - not durable, wrong material if a cap is needed, and if it's a vent not an access pipe then the vent needs to be open to the atmosphere and screened against animal entry.

If you mean just covering an otherwise safe and proper septic tank cover with a plastic bag to make finding it or opening it easier later, that won't help and it might actually make digging up the cover more difficult.

In order to pump out the tank they made a hole in it. How do I fix it?

In order to pump out the tank they made a hole in it .how do I fix it? On 2018-01-30 by John -

by (mod)

John,

This sounds a bit strange to me. A normal septic tank has clean out access covers at the right location.

So I really don't understand what kind of tank you have. it may be that something as simple as heavy flat piece of concrete or stone will suffice- or not.

Watch out: We don't want surface water leaking into the tank, and we don't want an unsafe cover that could permit injury or death if someone falls into the tank. frankly I would have expected the contractor who made the hole to be responsible for leaving the system proper and safe.

Can I bring all the septic tank access cover risers to the same height - 6" below the ground surface?

I had brand new house built a few years ago. I had my tanks cleaned last week everything was fine, But he had to dig below ground about 12 inches for two lids . I have three plastic polylok lids the one for the pump is above ground . I am not sure why only that one was slightly above ground level

I would like to get risers to make all three at about 6 inches below ground level . It will make easier to dig the two tank lids . but a little harder to get at pump if necessary.

What are pro and cons. will the grass at only 6 inches dirt . Any other suggestions. or by some law does the pump cover have to be above ground. Sorry for long post. Thanks for your help. On 2016-11-24 by Tom Roseman

by (mod) - ok to install septic tank risers to just below ground?

Tom,

In my opinion what you want to do is perfectly reasonable as long as the covers are water-tight and easy to find later.

But

Watch out: you may find that 6" isn't enough soil cover to grow grass, and

Watch out: that surface runoff isn't collecting over the and leaking into the septic tank

Do both septic tank openings have to be opened to pump out the tank

My septic tank has two openings. Do both have to be opened for a pump out? On 2016-05-16 by mary@msmartin.com

by (mod) - possibly not

Not necessarily, Mary as the pumper may be able to access all of the tank bottom from one opening; it depends on tank size and shape; but you might want both openings opened to check the condition of the tank baffles if your pumper can't do that from one end.

But

Watch out: if the septic tank uses concrete baffles whose interior needs cleaning, sometimes we need to access both inlet and outlet ends to inspect and clean those openings.

Cannot find the manhole cover over the cesspool

We've found the cesspool concrete lid (about 12 foot diameter) but after digging a 2 foot circumference, we cannot find the manhole cover in order to have an inspection. Help? My guy is getting frustrated with digging! (Aug 8, 2014) vicki levin

Reply:

IF it's actually a cesspool, not a septic tank, and it's round, usually the only access lid would be in the center.

Watch out: you should not be digging up a cesspool without an onsite expert. Please read CESSPOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

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Continue reading at INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Pumping Procedure & Pumper Truck Operation Articles

• SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING MISTAKES
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  • CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
  • WHEN to CLEAN THE SEPTIC TANK
  • WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
  • FIND the SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO
  • HOW TO OPEN a SEPTIC TANK
  • INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
  • SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
  • SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE
  • PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE
  • PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK
  • RETURN SEPTIC "WATER" BACK TO THE SEPTIC TANK?
  • RECORD SEPTIC TANK LOCATION
  • SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
• SEPTIC TANK SAFETY

Suggested citation for this web page

HOW TO OPEN a SEPTIC TANK at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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