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Septic Tank Emptying in Caterham and the Downs Villages

Septic tanks and cesspits emptied at homes and farms on the chalk hills around Caterham, with our own tankers and crews.

Almost all of Caterham, from the shops in the Valley to the streets of Caterham-on-the-Hill, is on mains drainage. The picture changes once the houses thin out. Along the lanes towards Chaldon, out past Chelsham and Farleigh, and across the high ground near Tatsfield, you’ll still find farms, cottages and detached homes with a septic tank or cesspit of their own.

The North Downs here are chalk, but the tops are often capped with a sticky layer of clay with flints. That matters for drainage. A soakaway dug into clean chalk usually takes water well, while one sitting in the clay cap can be slow and prone to backing up after heavy rain. If you’re not sure which you have, the way your soakaway behaves after a wet week is usually a good guide.

We empty tanks of every size, either as a one-off or on a regular booking that our office will remind you about. Every tanker carries jetting kit, so a blocked inlet pipe can be cleared there and then.

What's included

What our crews do on site

Here’s what to expect when the tanker arrives.

  • A full pump-out

    The tank is emptied into one of our own tankers, which hold between 2,000 and 4,000 gallons.

  • A look before we start

    The operator checks the level and condition of the tank first, so anything unusual is spotted before the pump goes on.

  • A straight answer

    If we see a cracked wall, a missing baffle or a blocked outlet, we tell you plainly and explain what can be done.

  • Waste taken away legally

    Everything we remove goes to a licensed treatment site, and you get a waste transfer note for your records.

  • A reminder when it’s due

    If you’d like one, our office will get in touch when your next empty comes round.

  • Paperwork you can keep

    Your waste transfer note shows what was taken and where it went, which is useful when you sell or let the property.

How often, and what it costs

01
Clearmasters tanker emptying an underground septic tank through an open manhole

Old tanks on the hill farms

Some of the septic tanks at Caterham’s outlying farms and cottages have been in the ground for many decades. Older brick or concrete tanks can crack, lose their baffles or let roots in, and the owner often has no idea until something backs up.

Our crews note the state of the tank every time they empty it and tell you plainly what they see. If you want a fuller picture, a septic tank survey checks the tank, the pipework and where it all discharges. Spotting a problem early usually means a simple repair rather than a new tank.

Learn more
02
A Clearmasters tanker emptying a tank at a rural property

The General Binding Rules

Septic tanks in England must meet the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules. Tanks that discharge straight to a ditch, stream or river should have been upgraded or replaced, and every tank must be emptied before the sludge goes beyond its capacity.

If you’re not sure your system complies, a septic tank survey will tell you.

Learn more

Local to you

Septic tank emptying around Caterham

We empty septic tanks and cesspits across Caterham and its hill country, covering Chaldon, Chelsham, Farleigh, Tatsfield, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Kenley, Old Coulsdon, Godstone, Bletchingley and the farms strung along the Downs. Give us your postcode and we’ll fit your tank in when our crews are next working nearby. See the full Caterham area list.

Other services in Caterham

We look after the whole system, not just one part of it.

Related services

Call 03333 233566

What our customers say

9.84/10

Checkatrade

From 134 reviews · Read them
4.9/5

Google

From 63 reviews · Read them

Scores as of October 2026

★★★★★

Very prompt and efficient service and most helpful

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · CR3
★★★★★

Very efficient and competitive service, driver and mate very helpful

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · CR3
★★★★★

Great service always. The guys are always polite and do an excellent job leaving no mess and no damage to the garden bed which surrounds our septic tank.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · CR6
Read all our reviews

Free, no-obligation quote

Book a septic tank or cesspit empty in Caterham

Tell us about your tank and we’ll come back with a price and a date. If it’s overflowing, call us instead.

  • Free quotes, one-off or regular emptying
  • Our own crews and tankers
  • Emergency call-outs 24/7
Emergency? 03333 233566

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Questions answered

Septic tank and cesspit questions

Which homes around Caterham are not on mains drainage?

Mostly the more isolated ones: farms, cottages and detached houses on the lanes around Chaldon, Chelsham, Farleigh and Tatsfield. Homes in Caterham-on-the-Hill, Caterham Valley and Whyteleafe are nearly all connected to the sewer. If you’re buying a rural property, ask the seller what system it has and when it was last emptied.

Will emptying fix a smell from my tank?

Sometimes. If the tank is simply full, emptying it will help. If the smell comes from a blocked outlet or a failing drainage field, we’ll tell you what we find so you can put the cause right.

Do I need to be home when you come?

Not always. As long as we can reach the tank, the lid is uncovered and any gates are open, we can usually do the job and leave the paperwork. Let us know when you book.

Why is my soakaway on the Downs slow when chalk is meant to drain well?

The chalk itself drains freely, but on the higher ground it’s often covered by a layer of clay with flints. A soakaway that never reaches the chalk sits in that clay and struggles in wet weather. Keeping solids out with regular emptying gives it the best chance of carrying on.

Can you empty my tank in an emergency?

Yes, we take emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Until we arrive, cut your water use right down: no baths, showers, washing machine or dishwasher, and flush as little as possible. Then call 03333 233566.

Can I go on a regular schedule?

Yes. Many customers have their tank emptied on a set cycle, and our office gets in touch when the next one is due, so you don’t have to remember.

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.

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