Finding a buried tank
A pro can locate a tank a few different ways: pulling county or old installation records, probing the yard with a metal rod, following the sewer line out from the house with a camera, or using an electronic locator.
Angi's 2026 data puts professional locating at roughly $100 to $450, depending on how deep the tank is and how much digging it takes to confirm it. A tank that was buried decades ago under a lawn that's been reseeded and regraded can take longer to pin down.
Why risers are worth it
A riser is a pipe collar that extends the tank's access lid up to ground level, so a crew can pop a cover instead of digging every time the tank needs pumping or checking.
Riser installation typically runs $200 to $600 according to 2026 pricing from Angi and SepticTankHub, and it pays for itself over a couple of pumping visits since digging adds time, and cost, every time otherwise.
It also makes it much easier for you, as the homeowner, to glance at the tank yourself between professional visits if you ever suspect a problem.
Not sure how serious yours is? The free check takes about a minute.
Take the free checkGood timing for this
The best time to locate the tank and add risers is during a regular pumping visit, since the crew is already digging it up once. It's also smart to do before listing a house for sale, since a buyer's inspector will need to find the tank too.
If you're planning any yard work, a new fence, a shed, or landscaping, knowing exactly where the tank and drain field sit also keeps you from accidentally building on top of either one.
Questions
I have no idea where my septic tank is, is that normal?
It's common, especially in older homes where the lid was buried and grassed over decades ago, or where the house has changed hands a few times without the paperwork following it. A pro can usually find it with old records, a probe, or a camera run from the house.
Do risers make my yard look bad?
A low-profile riser lid sits close to ground level and most are green or tan plastic, built to blend into grass. They're far less noticeable than a patch of yard that gets dug up and reseeded every few years for pumping.
Can I install a riser myself?
Some homeowners do, but getting the seal and the fit right matters for keeping the lid secure and keeping groundwater out of the tank. Having a pro do it during a regular pumping visit, while the tank is already open, is usually the simplest and most reliable route.