CLEARMASTERS
Septic tanks and cesspits
We empty septic tanks and cesspits for homes, farms and stables around Upminster. On clay, cesspits are common and fill fast, so we can book regular collections.
Learn moreUpminster is where London runs out. The town itself is a comfortable suburb at the end of the District line, but within a mile or two you’re in farmland, with hamlets and farms around Corbets Tey, North Ockendon and Cranham, and the Essex countryside beyond. A lot of those homes, farms and stables aren’t on the mains sewer.
So unlike most of London, a big part of our work here is emptying septic tanks and cesspits and servicing treatment plants. The ground is mostly London Clay, which drains slowly, so drainage fields often struggle in winter. In the town, it’s blocked drains, roots and CCTV surveys.
Our crews work in east London and Essex most days and we answer the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our Upminster drainage services
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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying
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Treatment Plant Servicing
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Blocked Drains & CCTV Surveys
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Septic Tank Surveys
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Treatment Plant & Pump Repairs
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Treatment Plant Installations
Learn moreUpminster &
the green belt
the green belt
Homes, farms
& stables
& stables
Plant servicing
& repairs
& repairs
Waste transfer
notes
notes
24/7
call-outs
call-outs
What we do for Upminster customers
Treatment plant servicing and repairs
Our engineers service treatment plants at least once a year, carry the most common parts and repair them when an alarm goes off.
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Drain clearance in the suburbs
We clear blocked drains in Upminster’s and Cranham’s homes with high-pressure jetting and cut out roots from mature gardens.
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Surveys and upgrades
A septic tank survey tells you what system a property has and whether it meets the General Binding Rules. If not, we can install a treatment plant.
Learn moreLocal knowledge
Drainage around Upminster: what to know
The edge of London, and of the countryside.
Off the mains
Many farms and homes around Upminster rely on septic tanks, cesspits or treatment plants.
London Clay
Clay holds water, so drainage fields struggle in winter and cesspits are common.
The Ingrebourne
The river runs through the area, and a septic tank must not discharge into it or a ditch.
Local to you
Areas we cover in and around Upminster
We cover Upminster and the green-belt villages on London’s eastern edge.
Upminster · and neighbourhoods
- Upminster
- Cranham
- Corbets Tey
- Upminster Bridge
- Emerson Park
- Hacton
Surrounding areas · where private drainage is common
- North Ockendon
- South Ockendon
- Bulphan
- Rainham
- Wennington
- Hornchurch
- Great Warley
- Aveley
- Orsett
- Elm Park
- Harold Wood
- Brentwood
Not sure if we cover you?
If you’re in or around Upminster, we cover you. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm.
Why Upminster customers use us
Septic tank specialists on London’s edge
Whether it’s a cesspit at a farm near North Ockendon or a root-blocked drain in Cranham, here’s what you get.
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34 years in drainage
We’ve been emptying tanks and servicing systems since long before most of the kit on the market existed.
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We remember so you don’t have to
Regular customers get a reminder when their next empty or service is due.
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Trained engineers
Our engineers and most of our tanker drivers hold current confined space entry certificates, and the engineers carry the most common parts.
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Paperwork done properly
A waste transfer note with every collection, and a written report after surveys and services.
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The right kit for the job
Tankers from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons, jet/vac combination units, CCTV survey kit and confined space teams for pump station wet wells.
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Day and night, all year
Emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a real person answering the phone.
What our customers say
9.84/10
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
4.9/5
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
★★★★★I have used Clearmasters now for 4 years and the service has been excellent. Very punctual on the day and their planning team have always been very helpful in finding convenient dates to service and maintain our pumps and tanks. I recommend.
Adam G. Google review
★★★★★Very professional operation. Super clean tanker. Responded quickly to quote and booking requests. Arrived on time. Kept us notified throughout. Very pleasant and helpful guy operating the equipment. Gave sound advice with ongoing maintenance tips. Will definitely be saving Clearmasters' contact details to use them again.
★★★★★Clearmasters have emptied our Septic Tank for many years. It is not an easy placed tank to get to but the chaps manage perfectly. I find them very efficient, friendly and polite. Thank you Valerie Wise
How it works
What happens when you book
Simple and the same every time.
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Step 1
Tell us what you’ve got
Call us or book online and tell us what system you have and how often it’s emptied, if you know.
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Step 2
We come out and do the job
We book a date and send the right tanker or engineer. It helps if:
- there’s firm standing for a tanker, as clay lawns and verges get soft in winter
- tank lids and covers are uncovered and easy to find
- you tell us about narrow lanes, long drives, gates or livestock
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Step 3
Paperwork and the next visit
You get a waste transfer note for anything we take away, and a written report after a survey or service. If it’s a regular job, we’ll remind you when the next one is due.
Free, no-obligation quote
Get a quote for your Upminster property
Tell us what you need and we’ll come back with a price. If something’s overflowing, call us now.
- Free quotes for emptying, servicing and surveys
- Septic tanks, cesspits and treatment plants
- Regular collections booked for you
Urgent?
03333 233566
Questions answered
Upminster septic tank FAQs
What homeowners and farms around Upminster ask us most.
Are there really septic tanks in London?
Yes. Around Upminster and elsewhere on London’s green-belt edge, many farms and homes aren’t on the mains sewer.
How often should a cesspit be emptied?
It depends on its size and water use, often every few weeks or months. We can book regular collections.
Why does my drainage field flood in winter?
London Clay holds water, so fields can be saturated for months. Regular emptying helps keep them working.
Does my septic tank meet the rules?
If it discharges to a ditch or stream, it needs upgrading under the General Binding Rules. Read the rules on GOV.UK.
Do you service treatment plants around Upminster?
Yes, and we empty the sludge when it’s due.
Can you help in an emergency?
Yes. Our crews work in east London and Essex most days and we answer the phone 24 hours a day. Call 03333 233566.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.