"It's nine o'clock, and where are the septic tanks located?" Okay, maybe that sounds a little dramatic, but this is a common question we get from our customers. This is especially true for homeowners new to the area who may not be familiar with its inner workings or have not needed septic tank services yet.

It is important to know the precise location of your septic tanks in order to maintain them or plant new landscaping. We can offer some guidance if you are looking for your tank.

You need to know the precise location of your septic tank.

If you don't have municipal sewage service, your home probably has a septic tank that will divert and store all of your wastewater underground.

A septic system can be dependable and economical, but it is not maintenance-free. The EPA recommends that a septic tank should be inspected every three years and pumped every three to five. You can also have problems with the pipes or tank. You will need to locate your septic tank so that you can have it serviced.

How to locate your septic tank?

• Ask your neighbors. If you have a toilet tank, it is likely that your neighbors also have one. You might be lucky enough to find someone who knows where it is or can help narrow your search.

• Public records. Your local municipality or county may have a septic map that shows the dimensions and diagram of your property. To check if there is any mention of a sewer tank or its location in the home inspection report, you should first visit your local records office.

• Follow the sewer pipes. If you need to locate the tank yourself, then go into the basement and locate the sewer pipe that leads out of the home. The pipe is usually four inches in diameter. Next, go outside and trace the route of the pipe to the opposite side of the wall. Use a metal soil probe and poke small holes into the ground to trace the route of your pipe until it reaches the tank. The probe will make a noticeable difference when it hits the tank's flat surface.

• Take a look around your yard. If you have a large property it may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You can filter out structures, paved surfaces, and water wells to make your search easier. You might also notice a patch of grass that is a little greener or faster than the tank.

• Locate the septic tank lid. Regardless of how precise you are in pinpointing the tank's location, it may take some digging to find the tank's lid. The soil probe can be used to determine the perimeter of the tank. Most tanks are approximately 5x7 feet in size. Once you've marked the edges, you can start digging in the middle and working your way around to the lid. If you aren't servicing the tank immediately, it's not necessary to open the lid and let the pungent fumes escape.

Once you have located your septic tank, make sure you keep it in a safe location or mark the exact location for future reference. This will prevent you from adding structures to the area or planting roots near the septic tank and sewer pipe. You may find a map or hand-written schematic helpful when you are selling your house.