Locating a sewer line outside the house


  #1  
Old 06-19-16, 06:10 AM
DIY1968's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 29
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Locating a sewer line outside the house

We just bought a 1973 home. I'm trying to find the sewer line outside the house so I can change the floor plan layout. We are going to move the 2 bathrooms and add an extra toilet. I can't find the cleanout. The city sewer line is about 40' from the house, and the city sewer pipe is about 7.5' underground. The house is a single story on a concrete slab. Thanks for any insight.
 
  #2  
Old 06-19-16, 01:28 PM
W
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 6,395
Received 63 Upvotes on 55 Posts
Sewer Line Location

Try to determine where the line leaves the house. Pipe should be in a straight line from the exit point to the sewer tap at the street. If you do not know the exit point, use dowsing rods to locate the pipe.

I use 2 dowsing rods made from 4 gauge solid copper ground wire, about 30 inches long each, with a 6 inch right angle at one end of each wire.
 
  #3  
Old 06-19-16, 05:06 PM
J
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 4,463
Received 128 Upvotes on 113 Posts
A 1973 home may not even required a clean out, outside the house.
Why do you need to know where the outside line is if you just changing the inside lines?
Feeling lucky? Have you gone to the local health Dept. to see if they have any info?
 
  #4  
Old 06-19-16, 10:27 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,939
Received 3,951 Upvotes on 3,544 Posts
You could also call a plumber with a camera snake system.
They have a transmitter at the camera head that a probe held over the earth can locate.
 
  #5  
Old 06-20-16, 08:28 PM
DIY1968's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 29
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Thanks. I'm trying to locate so I can check the quality of the pipe. Also We are about to relocate 2 toilets and add a 3rd toilet and I was wanting to plan the easiest way to connect the new sewer lines. I called the 811 number today to see if they can mark the sewer line.
I will try the dowsing rods, but I've never done that.
I do appreciate all the advice, and when I find the lines I will share my results.
 
  #6  
Old 06-20-16, 08:31 PM
DIY1968's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 29
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
PJmax
I will try the camera if I dont have any luck. Thx
 
  #7  
Old 06-22-16, 10:20 AM
Z
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 6,095
Received 422 Upvotes on 375 Posts
I'd second the camera option. They'll be able to locate the pipe as well as let you see the condition of the pipe. Now's a good time to replace it if needed.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: