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After initial assessment I was told it was a two man job who duly arrived in a couple of days with a jetting machine to clear the limescale. They worked very hard to jet the blockage one in the bathroom one outside at the manhole with the jetter. When they were satisfied the soilpipe was clear they inserted a camera so we could all see the there was now no obstruction. They were pleasant and informed me what was happening all the time, I would recommend them to others.
PAT
Very high standard of work carried out by Mark. Solved my issue,very knowledgeable,punctual and tidy. Would recommend & certainly use again.
Patrick
Very good and efficient job, excellent standard of work, well satisfied.
Jeremy
This page has everything you’ll need to know about finding and hiring a local septic tank specialist.
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Septic Tank Emptying, Installation & Cleaning | Find a Septic Tank Service Near You
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is a type of sewage system for the home, and is generally used in rural properties that can’t be connected to a larger sewer system.
How does a septic system work?
All sewage and wastewater leaves the house via a main pipe, and goes into the septic tank which is buried underground. The tank is usually made of concrete, fibreglass, PVC, or plastic.
Inside the tank, solid waste sinks to the bottom and is partially decomposed by bacteria. Other elements like fat and plastics rise to the top, creating a crust. What’s left in the middle is relatively cleaner water – and we stress the word ‘relative’ here. It’s a long way from being drinking water, but it can be drained into the ground, which disposes of it naturally in the local ecosystem, rather than contributing to the work of a large sewage facility.
When the water leaves the septic tank, it goes into a distribution box. This box feeds the water into a set of underground pipes, which then releases the water into the soil. The ground above these pipes is known as the draining field or soakaway.
The whole system can easily work using gravity, with each component being lower than the last, but if this isn’t possible then pumps can assist in getting the water where it needs to go.
Some water evaporates into the air, and the rest soaks down into the soil. The soil itself filters out chemicals and minerals, while microbes in the soil break down impurities in the same way the septic tank does.
Releasing water back into the ground keeps it moist, and helps plants grow.
The system also requires a vent to release noxious gasses from the septic tank, as well as allow air into the system.
What can a septic tank specialist help with?
Cleaning
The most important thing you’ll need a septic tank specialist for is to clean out the system. The solids at the bottom of the tank, as well as the crust at the top, build up faster than it decomposes. These elements need to be removed from the tank periodically, which is why the tank has access hatches built in. About once a year, you’ll need to arrange for someone to pump out the excess waste. If this is ignored, then the waste will build up and eventually block, backing up into the house.
Installing or replacing a septic tank
Over time, you might need to replace parts, or all, of a septic system. If the system requires cleaning every few months then that’s a sign of blockage or inefficiency. Maybe you can see waste water or sewage coming up from the ground, which could be a sign that the tank is no longer watertight. These are severe cases but they’re the biggest reasons why you might need to replace the system.
You might have a large house with a lot of water usage, in which case you could consider a larger tank. It’s also possible to link two or more tanks together if you need larger capacity.
Costs for septic tank installations and maintenance
- Tanks start at around £800.
- Installation is around £1500.
- The drainage field, or soakaway, costs about £5000 to lay, for about 100 metres of drains. This is the total length of the pipes – you don’t need a 100-metre stretch of land to accommodate it.
- Emptying the tank annually will cost around £150.
Maintenance of your septic tank system
If you want to maintain your system in the best possible way, there are 3 things you need to know.
How the system works.
Everything happens underground and out of sight, so it’s important you know what’s going on. This page tells you everything you need to know, so you’ve got that covered.
Where the pipes are.
If you’re installing a septic tank system, get your installer to show you where everything is, plus you should always keep plans of the work for future reference. If you’re buying a house that already has a system installed, you should ask for the plans. If they’re not available then use a septic tank specialist to help you find out where everything is.
Potential ways you could damage the system.
You shouldn’t build anything on top of the drainage pipes. If you put any sort of shed or building on top of the pipes, you’re almost definitely going to cut or damage them. Also it stops air from getting into the soil, which would hinder the soil’s ability to filter the water.
Likewise, don’t drive over the pipes, or park a vehicle there. This weight will compact the soil and stop it from being able to accept water at all. In severe situations, the weight of a car could even crush the pipes. You shouldn’t keep large animals there – like horses or cows – for the same reason.
Don’t pour waste chemicals, paints, or cooking oils down the sink. These can kill the microbes in the septic tank that break down the solid substances. They can also clog the drainage field which would eventually fill the tank, and back up into the house.
Always know where your access hatches are too, and keep them clear of obstruction.
Lastly, don’t plant any trees or bushes too near the system as the roots could disturb the pipes too.
8 things to check when buying a property with a septic tank
- Ask if the septic tank has been maintained regularly – ask for invoices or receipts for tanker visits or service calls. A septic tank usually needs to be emptied annually.
- Find out how often the system is currently being emptied. If it’s being emptied every few months, this could be a sign of a problem.
- Ask the current owners how much their service costs, so you can work out how much it’ll cost you annually.
- Don’t rely on homebuyer surveys to tell you what’s going on underground – they only take a basic look at drainage systems. It’s crucial you get a full pre-purchase drainage survey before buying somewhere with a septic system. Get the tank emptied at the same time, to make sure the walls and pipework of the tank can be inspected.
- Ask for a plan of the drainage system.
- Find out if any part of the system is on someone else’s land. You need to know what the relationship is like with the landowner as you’ll need access for repairs, replacements and maintenance.
- Think about access to the property. Tankers need to be within 30 metres of the tank to empty it. Are you planning an extension or similar? If so you’ll need to make sure this access is maintained.
Where does the waste water go when it leaves the tank? If it goes straight to a watercourse or a ditch, this isn’t legal any more. By 2020, you’ll need to have it
Planning permission for septic tanks
If you’re installing a new septic tank system
For installations in England, you need planning permission and building regulations approval.
There are different rules for septic tanks and treatment plants in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
If you have a system that didn’t get permission and approval
In England, you need to apply retrospectively for both planning permission and building regulations approval.
You don’t need to do this if your system was installed before 1 January 2015.
Regulations for operating a septic system
You must follow the general binding rules if you’re the operator of a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant.
The sewage must:
- Be domestic, for example – from a toilet, bathroom, shower or kitchen of a house, flat or business – contact the Environment Agency if you’re not sure if the sewage is classed as domestic.
- Not cause pollution – find out how to check for pollution.
There are other rules depending on whether you’re releasing sewage to the ground, or into surface water.
Releasing to the ground
You have to use a septic tank or a small sewage treatment plant and a drainage field (infiltration system).
You need to apply for a permit if you release (‘discharge’):
- To a well, borehole or other deep structure.
- More than 2 cubic metres (2,000 litres) per day.
- In a groundwater source protection zone (SPZ1).
Releasing to a surface water
You must use a small sewage treatment plant. You must apply for a permit if you’re discharging more than 5 cubic metres (5,000 litres) per day. Use the calculator to work out how much you discharge per day.
Find out more on the government’s website.
Insurance for skill work
All tradespeople should have public liability insurance, which protects you, and them, against any accidents or injury.
“I am a versatile handyman with expertise in a wide range of home repairs, maintenance tasks, and gardening services. From fencing repairs, build,patio and paving to carpentry and painting, I bring a strong attention to detail and craftsmanship to every project. With my 5 years experience on private jobs,and all the customers been very happy about my services, i am pleased to introduce my self with confidence and enthusiasm! Additionally, I have experience in gardening, including landscaping, plant care, and garden maintenance. I am committed to delivering high-quality work that ensures both your home and outdoor spaces look their best.” I am new on this site,app, and I don’t have any reviews yet, but definitely they will come!
Ciprian was excellent and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He was communicative, provided a fair and insightful quote based on discussions with me, arrived on time, was skilful in his installation of our cat flap into a thick brick wall and cleaned up perfectly. I will definitely be using him again and as mentioned, would highly recommend him. Thank you so much for your work today - we are super grateful.
Mid Suffolk Construction and Maintenance
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
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General Building and maintenance New builds Exstensions Restoration Renovation
We had them in to install insulation in our upstairs floor, replace the sub floor, replace some lights, install a loft hatch, and board out our loft. On top of this they discovered a problem in our roof that they fixed. We were incredibly impressed by all of the staff that attended on site. They were friendly, polite at all times, and worked really hard, to a high standard. I couldn't recommend James and his team more, and we've already started talking to them about a further project.
Called immediately and sent someone within 2 hours, when id asked for 2 days - unbelievably quick. Really reasonably priced, professional job, handyman was polite and fixed my cupboard and drawer. Highly recommend.
Highly-skilled engineers offer quality clearances for all drain blockages internal,external we operate 24/7
Lee attended the job very quickly. He communicated well via WhatsApp to keep me Informed of progress. Thank you!
Plumbing, groundwork and Underground water services At gcb utilities we strive to provide our customers with a high quality end to end service. we know it can be stressful dealing with leaks, repairs and improvements But with our expertise and professional staff we get the job done in good time and with as little disruption to you as possible. From the first contact our friendly staff have you covered. Whether your looking for a leak fixing,you have pressure issues, need pipe work installing or moving, new water supply or external leak repair With our wiaps, chas,constructionline and water safe approval, guaranteed work your in safe hands Give us a call or message for a free no obligation quote
Enthusiastic to sort-out our problem. Planned to meet and it happened bang on time. Came-up with the solution and had the job done within their own time estimate.. Problem solved on time and around the estimated budget. Well done!
We are an interior and exterior cleaning company. We are new to Rated people but have excellent reviews on Bark. We are committed to good service and cost effective cleaning solutions.
Thomas is absolutely fantastic. Our conservatory has had a new lease on life and is gleaming, inside and out. Thomas and his colleague was polite and friendly. They were on time. Communication throughout was fabulous. Cannot recommend him and his team enough. Would use again.
We have over 50 years of experience in the construction industry. Specialising in high pressure cleansing/ jetting, with hot water or media blasting if required. Paths, patio's drives, walls, maintenance contracts. Drain jetting, 24 hour availability
They arrived when they said they would. Very friendly and got on promptly with the works. Left the premises clean and tidy and was happy with the cost - not forgetting they sorted the issue out we had. would and will recommend.
Erisure LTD , we are a family owning business running for more than 6 years. Our home improvement business is born from knowing exactly what you want in your home or business places . Our business aim is to fill your home and business places with love and comforts . Here is Just to say few of the many services we offer - We do total interior refurbishments for kitchens, bathrooms, floors , walls , ceilings, Tilings and more . Painting and decorating is also one of our core and passionate services. We improved , painted and decorated hundreds of homes so far.
Desali delivered an exceptional service. The job was certianly not straight forward but given his persistence and creative thinking he managed to provide exactly what I needed. I would recommend him as a plumber to anyone looking to get a reliable, dedicated service for any plumbing related issues or projects. He's a top bloke
Five Star Construction is a family run business with the aim to provide affordable handyman and development works. We are full insured and all our operatives are fully trained for the work we carry out. Our friendly team are awaiting your call
Good value Very profession Quick and tidy workman Would definitely use them again. Regards Thomas
McGinleys Services has over 25 years of experience in commercial and residential Landscape and building maintenance within the Berkshire area. We can help you maintain your property or help you create your dream landscaped garden.
Super team to work with. The shed was put up beautifully and they arrived on time and put up the 7x5 shed without any hassle! Will ask them again when ever I need another shed. Thanks and would recommend Mark 100%! Thank you!!
Often, it is hard to find a plumber near you. Plumbernow have been providing trusted, rated local plumbing, heating, emergency and drainage services in and around South Yorkshire area with 18 years of experience in the industry. At Plumbernow we possess excellent knowledge and experience and are known for our reliability and expertise across all plumbing, heating, emergency and drainage services . We are happy to undertake all jobs no matter how big or small and offer the same high standards to every customer. Whether you are looking for domestic or commercial plumbing services we are happy to help and will provide you with a free no-obligation quote.. Customer satisfaction is our primary concern. We pride ourselves for being on time, treating your home with respect and keeping you fully informed at all times. You can rely on Plumbernow service from start to finish… We know that every customer is different and that you may have questions you want to ask before getting a plumber in. We are always on hand to help you and will do our best to provide you with the guidance you need to get the job done. If you would like advice or a free quote please get in touch with us, we will be happy to help. Thank you Plumbernow
The plumber sent (Tommy) was excellent but this system is double dipping. You already pay Rated People who are supposed to find tradesmen. You then also pay plumbernow to find the tradesman. So the guy that does the work receives a fraction of what you pay. Rated people should NOT be letting similar "job finding" firms to be on site. Essentially requiring Joe public to pay two finder fees.
Welcome to JBLB Plumbing and Heating Services . We are a small family-run plumbing company who specialise in domestic plumbing repairs and installations, radiator and boiler upgrades, bathroom installation and mobility / walk in showers. As a company, we pride ourselves on delivering all of our customers with a prompt and reliable service, no matter how small the job may be. We also offer discounts to OAPs for most small plumbing repairs and installations.
Job done on time and quickly. Arrived when they said they would. Easy to deal with. Would recommend.
Hello, I have been laying floors and doing minor repairs, including plumbing tasks, for over a year now. I also have over 3 years of experience working on large construction sites for large companies such as Saint William and other large companies. We work in tandem with our partner and will do the work you have in good faith and with high quality. I will be glad to work with you.
I Can't recommend Illhom highly enough, came out next day to fix my floor and done a fantastic job. Will definitely use him again.
Optimum Drain offers rapid emergency drainage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial.With a skilled team and cutting-edge technology, we swiftly unblock all drains. Emergency Drains Unblocking Service 1. Commercial enquiries please contact us 2. Fast and reliable call out (same day service) if necessary 3. No call out fee 4. Free advice and quotations 5. Fast and stress free unblocking of drains 6. General drain CCTV surveys 7. Commercial crawler CCTV surveys 8. Pre-purchase CCTV home buyers surveys 9. New drainage installations 10. Water main repair and install 11. Rain water soakaways 12. Septic tanks and drainage fields 13. Treatment plants 14. Pitch fibre re-rounding and bursting 15. We specialize in drain repairs including all aspects of drain relining 16. Insurance repairs carried out 17. All maintenance remedial work will have a standard 10-year warranty 18. Our rates are set to a half hourly basis 19. Full reports issued on request
Very quick to undertake and complete the work. All the people I dealt with were friendly, helpful and efficient and the work was undertaken to a high standard, including clearing up afterwards.
Flow3 Drainage Services is an established emergency drainage repair and unblock service 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Our engineers have over 20 years drainage experience so no matter what the problem, we can fix it. From a blocked sink to a new drainage installation our engineers will ensure you get a first-class service at an affordable cost. Please find a list of our services below: - 24 Hour internal and external drainage unblocking with mechanical machines and high-pressure water jetting. We also include a look see CCTV to investigate the cause of the blockage within the cost. - A1 class CCTV surveys and Wincan reports with recommendations and costings. Fast turnaround service can also be provided for urgent repairs, insurance repairs and house purchase surveys. - Excavation repairs to defective sections of drainage systems or full installations of new drainage including Thames Water build over agreements to their requested spec. - Polyester and local lining works at competitive prices to repair defective sections of drainage without the need to disrupt surfaces like new patios or extensions. - Reconfiguration of drainage systems and new installations for home modifications such as new bathrooms / kitchens. - Descale / degrease and mechanical root cutting with high pressure water jetting and specialist ENZ chain flail and spinning jet nozzles. This can also be used to remove concrete or jointing compound restricting pipes. - Defective interceptor removal and replacement with new pipework. We also install vermin blockers to prevent infestation. - Replacement of defective manhole covers and frames. Up rating of manhole covers if required. - Site visit free of charge to ensure we can provide a comprehensive quotation for the works required. If you have a drainage problem our engineers are here to help whatever the circumstances. We will get you up and running in no time..
Alan completed a trenchless lining fix and did a great job, he explained what was going to be done and did it. Highly recommended. Thanks Alan.
At Essex Plumbers ltd we have no hidden . We are a domestic and commercial plumbing service with over 20 years of experience within the industry covering all aspects of your property's plumbing, Heating & Drainage needs. We also cover all aspects of property maintenance All works are guaranteed: All works are insured Engineers DBS checked and vetted Quick Response time Emergency and planned works Leaks Thermal imaging surveys Thermal insulation Sheet metal fabrication Camera surveys Power flushing Water jetting Blockages Gullies soil waste pipes Down pipes Low pressure issues Radiators Taps Toilets Showers Baths Mobility assistance Care homes Mental health Assisted living Agents Landlords Building management All works are for labour only, parts are subject to charges, Planned works are at a fixed rate. Payment options and discounts available, Cash/Bank Transfer and card payments are accepted.
Excellent service having had to repair and fix the previous plumbers mistakes.
We have been trading for 23 years in plumbing. We offer all plumbing needs. We also have an emergency call out.
We recently used Richard to undertake some bathroom improvements and I would highly recommend his services. He visited in advance to understand our needs, supplied all the equipment and undertook the work to an extremely high standard and at a very competitive price. We are delighted with the outcome and will definitely look to use him again.
we repair all roofs all roof we also do all ? building work also damp proofing ?? all work comes fully guaranteed
Very thorough. Pointed out a few other problems and was very flexible with the price. Friendly and very chatty guy
Henry Thomas
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
- 25 + years of experience in drainage - Good customer service - Competitive rates 24/7 call out service also available
Hi, We are a small local company with over 35 years of trading behind us in the building industry. Our website has loads of customer reviews, and you can speak with previous clients where we have carried out work, and also visit some of our completed projects. You are guaranteed an excellent service, reliable and trustworthy guidance, and will be totally satisfied with any work which we carry out for you. My aim is to please 100% every time, and you will not be disappointed. Our specialist work currently is garage conversions to habitable rooms. We can also offer remedial advice on condensation and damp issues. We love a challenge! Anything unusual is welcome. You can trust us to work in and around your home. I assure you of my personal attention at all times.
Dean and his team completed several jobs for me including solar outside lights, putting up blinds, TV on wall, garden mirror., taps dripping and sink leaking, and replacement taps. Great to get all these jobs done at the same. Friendly and professional service. Would recommend Jean Pierce, Hockley
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