Septic Tank Cemented Shut

[BrianB]

Hello everyone,
I bought a 1980 home with what appears to be a homemade septic system. It hasnt given me any problems at all in the last 4 years, but I would like to access it just to fulfill my curiosity and in case it needs pumped someday. The two 6" access ports were filled with cement at some point. I've attached a couple of pics of the 9.5' X 6.5' tank lid. Any info that can be ascertained from these pics would be much appreciated. Also any tips on removing that concrete. I drilled a hole in one and it looks to be at least 6" thick. I also hacked away at it with chisels, cutting discs..etc, but there has to be a better way.

Thanks again.

 

[havasu]

Is it possible that old system is bypassed and now connected to a city sewer? It is sealed for a reason.

 

[BrianB]

Is it possible that old system is bypassed and now connected to a city sewer? It is sealed for a reason.

There's definitely no city sewer in the area. If I run the water in the house and put my ear to the small hole I drilled, I can hear it trickling in. The whole thing has been a mystery that I ignored because it seems to work fine. I never I understood why it's so close to the house and patio either. My house is in the center of a half acre. I figured the day would come eventually where I need to get into it so I'm trying to gather whatever info I can.

 

[havasu]

The system may have been rebuilt, and those access holes are not used anymore. You may need to poke around a bit before opening the hole.

 

[BrianB]

The system may have been rebuilt, and those access holes are not used anymore. You may need to poke around a bit before opening the hole.

Thanks. I'll continue my investigation. I do have some more info I just gathered. I put a long pole in the hole I drilled and found the water level 2.5 feet from the lid, and then hit a gray clay like mush at 6 feet down. I pushed through it another 2 feet and ran out of pole. Interestingly, the clay like mush has no odor. I also flushed the toilet and can hear that water running into the tank. My neighbor's are going to think I'm crazy laying on the patio with my ear to the septic tank.