Septic tank emptying - why should you do it, when should you do it and what's involved

Most of us are aware of what goes into filling up the Septic tank. While it's certainly not just food waste that gets into the septic tank. There are various other kinds of waste that are disposed of there. Shower water and sinks, along with the waste water that comes from your washing machine and dishwasher usually go into your septic tank, forming quite the cocktail!

The emptying of septic tanks - why do we need it?
Every septic tank has an outlet, which is a pipe that connects to the tank. It usually is connected to a drainage field and soakaway systems. It is a system of slotted or perforated pipes that allow waste water that is pumped out of the tank to drain in a safe manner without causing any pollutant. Your septic tank does not clean the waste, rather it separates the waste into three layers: the prettyly named'scum and the more acceptable'separated waste water and, at the bottom the delightfully named'sludge'. It's the separate waste water that leaves your tank and goes to the soakaway system, while the rest of the solid waste remains within the tank. All of this must be cleaned out often.

If you do not clean your septic tank on a regular basis?
Negative things. If you've ago dreamed of a new (and strong) innovative water system for your yard. Inability to empty your septic tank on a regular basis could cause diverse issues, including toilets that take longer time for flushing, sounds of gurgling inside your pipes, or even waste leaking into your home. It could be a sign that the wrong type of waste flows from the septic tank to the system for soakaway, which blocks it from escaping and causing the waste to collect above the ground. This is not only negative for you, but it's harmful to the environment since the waste could affect the waterways of your local area.

When should you have your septic tank empty?
There aren't any hard-and quick rules for it, though a good guideline is to be having your septic tank emptying every year. It can differ based on the number of residents within your home and thus the amount of waste that is pumped into the tank. Also, it depends on the extent to which your septic tank is adequate for the size of your home For instance the property has been extended over the course of time and the septic tank has not been upgraded, the septic tank hasn't been upgraded to accommodate the increased garbage. Thus, a bigger tank that is not being used could be able to handle a longer time between emptying, while the tank is over-used or not properly sized, it could require emptying more frequently.

If you are working for less than once a year, it is the best place to begin.

What's involved with emptying septic tanks?
The local emptying service will provide the tanker that has an extended flexible hose. The tanker's operator will put the hose into your tank, and a suction force is utilized to flush all the trash out. For your benefit, it will be the last time you'll smell (or the smell) of it. they'll remove it to dispose it in a proper manner.

As a result it is important to ensure that anyone who is able to empty your septic tank has the proper waste disposal permit. The following link to Environment Agency to check who is licensed:

How much will emptying the septic tank in a day cost?
We've arranged the emptying of our septic tanks for our customers at just PS85 or as high as PS400. There is a variation in regional pricing, and, of course, it's a competitive marketplace, which means that there may be multiple firms offering lower rates. Choose a few local companies to find their prices, and choose one you like the appearance of. For instance the septic tank emptying company we work with called Caroline's Effluent Services has rather attractive tanks in bright, pink!

What are the signs to determine if you're suffering from problems with your septic tank, or soakaway issues?
There are two main motives to have your septic tank cleaned. First, it's a normal emptying process as we've discussed in the previous paragraphs. The second one is when your tank has become clogged or overflows unexpectedly.

If your tank isn't scheduled for a regular emptying and you've not hosted a massive gathering at your home and your tank is overflowing, it could indicate issues that are developing underground. The damage to your soakaway or septic tank system could cause your tank to fill more quickly than it normally does. But don't worry, we can help.

We at UKDP we're experts in getting to the root (excuse this pun) of septic tank issues and fixing them in the shortest time possible. We may even be able to have the cost of any repair or replacement required to be covered by your building insurance.