Our septic tank has no access "port" (on top), nor does there seem to be any way to lift the top as there is nothing on top to hook to. I'm not real familiar with these tanks, so I'll just display my ignorance by asking this. How it can be pumped out when that time comes?

Many times by accident or design the ports can get covered over. An experienced honey dipper can find it if they do a fair amount of work in your area. They would know the most likely spot it would be in.

Thanks for the reply. This past summer I rebuilt the wooden cover over the tank, so I could see the entire concrete top plainly. Unless the port was concreted over, it did not appear that one was there.

Almost all precast septic tanks have inspection ports at both ends. If yours has a solid top 5then a core dril<see image) will have to be brought in to drill access ports so the tank can be serviced. Look closely around the middle of the tank near then ends for a cover that may be hidden under dirt or cement skim. Good luck, Tom

Tell us more about this tank. "rebuilt the wooden cover over the tank" sure doesn't sound like any septic tank I have seen. How does a wooden top not rot and/or cave in. This is a buried tank, right?

The tank was installed about sixty years ago. The top three or four inches is above ground, so we have a wooden cover over it just for appearance sake. But the top of the tank itself is concrete. I would guess it to be 5' by 6' in size. It's good and solid... not going anywhere anytime soon. Surely it's been emptied at some point in the past, so there must be a way to do it. I'm not panicked about it. I just don't want to wake up one day needing the tank pumped and have no idea of how it can be done.

Codes must have been quite different 60 years ago. All tanks must be completely buried now. This may actually be a poued in place tank unlike what we buy and drop in now.

Your best bet without knowing what is really there would be to call out the local honey dippers and ask them. This may be something common to your area. Other then for restoration Ive never heard of one exposed like that unless there is a tank and that top is just a lid for it.

What is the tank itself made of, poured concrete or cement block? Could be cement block and a block on the side is removed for pumping and then replaced.


Codes must have been quite different 60 years ago.

Youngsters :D:D:D

I don't think it's block, though I can't see the side. All that can be seen is the two or three inches of what I suppose is the lid. I'll try to post a picture of this thing later today.

Got a shovel?

Yeah, but I hate to start digging around that thing until I just have to. Took a while to get grass to grow up to it. I'll try to get some pictures up, but it might be the weekend. I'm a school principal and we have a lot going on right now. Thanks for all the input.

I am a retired Principal and Asst Supt, know what you mean and kind of don't miss it. I think the chances of this being block is quite small and not really worth exploring. Have you exposed the entire lid surface ever?

We have ran into this situation several times before. Older concrete septics did not have an access hole to accept suction hose. Waste removal company actually drilled their own hole when they came to pump out the septic.

Let me copy a bit of post #4
If yours has a solid top then a core dril<see image) will have to be brought in to drill access ports so the tank can be serviced. Milo and Iam on the same page here. If this is "home built" and isn't functioning then why not simply replace the tank? Tom

1. Ballengerb, I always knew there was something great about you, and know I know what it is! Former principals and assistant superintendents deserve a great retirement, even though it sounds like you are staying pretty busy.

2. SB, it is working fine. I just want to know what I'll be facing when time comes to get it pumped out. I would guess they would have to drill an access port, but considering that it's been in there for 60 or so years, I would think that it has surely been pumped before, so how was it done then? Oh well, I'll get some pictures on as soon as I can.

Got to love Il TRS, at least for now while our Governor tries to screw things up. Concrete drilling is not cheap. I had a 10" hole put in an 8" wall for a tankless heater, $250 off the books