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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
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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.
John worked extremely hard to fulfil our brief & also had great vision when considering possibilities. He understood our needs and ensured all snagging was carried out before completion. All builders are currently pushed to the limit with supplies and staffing - John managed this to the best of his ability and was always polite, helpful and friendly.
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About Us Linken Services Ltd is a family-run business with over 20 years of industry experience in all aspects of drainage and water main repairs. We pride ourselves on delivering a professional, friendly, and bespoke service tailored to meet your specific needs. Our stellar reviews speak for themselves, reflecting our commitment to customer satisfaction. Our team of engineers is DBS-checked, highly skilled, and fully trained in all areas of drainage and water main repairs. You can count on us for reliable service, honest and impartial advice, competitive pricing, and a fast response time. We are fully insured and offer a 10-year guarantee on all our work, providing you with peace of mind and assurance of quality. What We Offer: Free Call-Outs Free Quotes Free Advice Unblocking Services: Using our High Power Water Jetter (HPWJ) Drain Survey Investigations & Reports Lining & Patch Repairs Excavations & Drain Repairs Septic Tank Services Pipe Laying Picote Cleaning Root Cutting Soakaways & French Drains Aco Channelling Water Main Solutions & Repairs Leak Detection Services Areas We Cover: Worcestershire Warwickshire Herefordshire West Midlands Staffordshire Shropshire At Linken Services Ltd, we are dedicated to ensuring your drainage and water main issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s a minor repair or a major project, we’re here to help. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
We are a family run joinery and building company based in Grimsby covering all aspects of all trades. Here at Linvex Ltd we pride ourselves on our hard earnt reputation for turning out top quality workmanship on time and on budget. We have a team of time served tradesmen with over 90 years combined experience. Our team are friendly, courteous and take pride in every job we undertake, our aim is to leave every customer 100% satisfied with as little disruption as possible to your home or business.
Very reliable, did an excellent job. If like me you don't know any builders I would recommend ringing Dean
I have 20 years experience of the construction trade with city and guilds qualifications, and provide very good standard of work with very high rating.
Cant thank Dan, Mark and team for their fantastic service and their quality of work when carrying out our extension. It has completed our family home! Trustworthy and professional at all times. Would highly recommend to anyone
Hi, my name is Lukasz and I've got 15 year experiences in building. We are specialited on general building and roofing.
Renovation of two bathrooms. Fab job. Both look amazing. Fix mainly as I supplied fittings. Very polite, very knowledgeable, and very helpful. Fully recommend Lukasz and his company.
Bell's Drainage
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
bell's drainage is a family run business for over 10 years we deal with all types of drainage from unblocking drains - excavations .cctv/surveys .patch repairs .unblocking .investigation .repairs broken manholes,guttering,downpipes .groundworks .water/air testing .installing .pre pland maintenance 24/7 service happy to help grate price guarantee
The plumbing & drainage company provide a 24/7 local, reliable and competitevly priced plumbing & drainage services to all domestic and commercial properties within the herts, essex and london area
Solved problem and charged within his estimate
Hi I’m looking for work I am happy to help
Quick response, agreed to attend property and give quote. Once price agreed they were able to complete job same day. Three workers, all were friendly and efficient and offered to clean up when finished. I was so pleased that I have asked them to do further work for me.
Castle Wren are a progressive and versatile construction business. Operating from the heart of Bishops Stortford on the Herts and Essex border, we work across the Home Counties, London and East Anglia. We continually strive to maintain our strong reputation for quality, and we have long standing partnerships with many of our clients with much of our work being repeat business. Our experienced and dedicated team cover all types of projects ranging from demolition and site clearance to new build housing schemes, commercial buildings or refurbishment projects. Private clients are an important part of our business, and we work with customers to bring their dreams to life, be that with a new extension, landscaping and garden transformations, patios and driveways or the end to end delivery of a new home. We have deep specialisms in demolition, groundworks, earthworks, and civil engineering projects and work with a wide range of clients, from private customers to national developers and housebuilders.
After visiting my property, I was initially impressed by the gentleman who promised to quote, but have since heard nothing, in spite of more than one request to get back to me. Very disappointed
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
Our building services company RMR Building & Renovation Ltd has over 15 years’ experience in the industry. We have been helping customers in Essex and the surrounding 20-mile radius by providing professional, trustworthy building services. We know it can be hard to find a builder that you can rely on RMR Building & Renovation Ltd has a wealth of experience and is known as one of the best builders in Essex. We pride ourselves on providing a professional, caring and high-quality service and always meet our customers’ needs. RMR Building & Renovation Ltd delivers on timekeeping, quality of work and value. We offer a full range of building services, from major rebuilds to smaller jobs such as masonry repairs, including: New Builds Alterations, Extensions & Conversions Brickwork Concrete Plastering & Screeding Tiling Painting & Decorating Kitchens & Bathrooms Roofing Services Re-pointing Septic Tanks Excavation Services Soakaways Foundations External Works Drainage If you are trying to find a builder near you, why not give us a call? Our friendly, professional team will be happy to talk through your needs and give you a free, no-obligation quote.
Professional, quality work,worth money
Absolute Utilities LTD
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
Small friendly family run business who can complete all job small and large.
DeBee Joiners
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
We are joiners, bespoke, builders and roofers we also have had specialist training in conservatory installations and windows and doors and gutters in association casio Roofs and building, with over 30 years experience your in safe hands.
Here at drainright draincare we are a local plumbing and drainage company with over 40 years experience. Based in Leeds and working throughout all ofYorkshire. We take on all drainage and plumbing works no job too big or too small! We clear drains from as little as £45+VAT!! NO CLEARANCE NO CHARGE!! ON CALL ALL OF THE YEAR.
Couldn't fault them - job done quickly for a decent price, and they cleaned up all the mess which had come up the drain into our garden. Nice blokes.
Dunn ground works
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
after three appointments to start job, never showed. Job not done.
Hi there, we aim to look after our customers to make sure there happy with price & job to completion. If any problems occur on our side we will sort out free of charge. Give us a try and get a professional service from start to finish.
Bloor Corporation LTD
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
Bloor Corporation Limited – A Group of Specialist Construction Companies With over 25 years of experience across the construction sector, Bloor Corporation Limited is a group of specialist companies providing expert solutions for both commercial and domestic projects. Our divisions cover a comprehensive range of services, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship, innovation, and long-lasting results. With all in house operations we can control your project without dealing with multiple companies. Bloor Glazing Experts in bespoke glazing solutions, including heritage restoration, replacement units, structural glazing, curtain walling, and difficult-access installations. From small repairs to full system refurbishments, we deliver precision and durability. Bloor Roofing Specialists in roofing repairs, refurbishments, and new installations, covering flat and pitched roofs, leadwork, waterproofing, cladding, and full re-roofing projects. We ensure weatherproof and long-lasting solutions for all building types. Bloor Building & Maintenance Providing a full range of internal and external building services, including extensions, refurbishments, structural repairs, masonry, brickwork, plastering, rendering, and general maintenance. Our fully trained in-house teams ensure efficiency, safety, and top-tier craftsmanship. Bloor Landscaping & Groundworks Transforming outdoor spaces with hard and soft landscaping solutions, including paving, decking, garden design, retaining walls, fencing, excavation, drainage solutions, and groundwork services. We create functional and visually appealing landscapes tailored to each project. Bloor Sectional & Modular Buildings Designing and constructing modular and sectional buildings for various applications, including commercial, industrial, educational, and residential use. Our solutions offer flexibility, durability, and rapid installation times, minimizing disruption while maximizing efficiency. Bloor Civil Engineering & Structural Works Delivering specialist civil engineering and structural works, including foundation construction, reinforced concrete, steelwork, underpinning, demolition, and site preparation. We handle complex engineering challenges with precision and expertise. At Bloor Corporation Limited, we take pride in tackling even the most challenging projects with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality craftsmanship. Whatever your project requires, our specialist divisions have you covered.
We are a family run construction and landscaping company with a combined 30 plus years experience ..
Tom and his colleagues did a very professional job, supplying and laying a crazy paving area in our garden. They were very efficient and pleasant to deal with, and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.
Worked within the industry for 8+ years. Carry out all types of drainage works.
A job very well done.
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