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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying in Cranleigh

Septic tanks and cesspits emptied at farms, cottages and country homes on the Weald clay around Cranleigh.

Cranleigh village has mains drainage, but the farms, cottages and houses spread along the lanes around it very often don’t. Head out towards Ewhurst, Ellen’s Green, Alfold or Dunsfold and a septic tank or cesspit in the garden or the paddock is normal. Smithwood Common and Rowly, on the rising ground to the north, have their share of private systems too.

Most of that countryside sits on Wealden clay, which runs from the foot of the hills down to the Sussex border. The village itself is on patches of sand and gravel, and the land to the north rises onto the greensand at Winterfold. Clay was dug here for bricks and tiles for generations, and it’s the same heavy ground that makes drainage fields hard work today.

One-off empties and regular rounds are both available around Cranleigh. A waste transfer note comes with each load, and our crews will point out anything that looks wrong while they’re there. Farms with large cesspits can book regular collections.

What's included

What you get with every empty

It’s more than just a pump-out.

  • Tidy and careful

    Hoses are laid neatly and anything we spill is cleaned up before we leave.

  • Long hose runs

    We carry enough hose to reach tanks well away from the drive, through gardens and across paddocks.

  • Cesspits as well as septic tanks

    We empty sealed cesspits and holding tanks too, as one-off jobs or on a regular cycle.

  • Advice on your drainage field

    If the tank is backing up because the soakaway or drainage field can’t cope, we’ll tell you so you’re not paying for empties that won’t fix it.

  • Lids put back securely

    Covers are refitted and left safe, so there’s nothing for children, pets or livestock to fall into.

  • Inlet and outlet cleared

    Every tanker carries jetting kit, so a blocked inlet or outlet pipe can be cleared on the same visit.

Planning your empties

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

Why clay makes tanks fill faster

On the clay towards Alfold, Baynards and Ellen’s Green, water soaks away very slowly. In a wet winter the drainage field can fill with water and stop taking any more, so the tank level rises and toilets start to gurgle. Cesspits on clay can also take in groundwater through old joints and fill sooner than they should.

Emptying on a regular schedule takes the pressure off a field that’s working at its limit. If the tank fills unusually fast, tell us, as it can point to water getting in. Groundwater getting in also means you pay to empty rainwater.

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

How often does a tank need emptying?

Most household septic tanks need emptying about once a year, though a big family with a small tank may need it more often. Cesspits are a different matter: with no outlet, they can need emptying every few weeks or every few months.

Slow drains, gurgling pipes and smells near the tank are the usual signs it’s due. A regular schedule means it never gets that far.

Learn more

Local to you

Septic tank emptying around Cranleigh

We empty tanks right across the Cranleigh side of Waverley. That includes Rowly and Smithwood Common to the north, Ewhurst and Ewhurst Green to the east, Ellen’s Green, Baynards and Alfold to the south, and Dunsfold, Grafham, Wonersh and Shamley Green to the west. See the full Cranleigh area list.

Other services in Cranleigh

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

Related services

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What our customers say

9.84/10

Checkatrade

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4.9/5

Google

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Scores as of October 2026

★★★★★

Friendly efficient service at a reasonable cost. Arrived on time and operatives were helpful and polite.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · GU5
★★★★★

Arrived within 48 hours of booking, did the job, polite guys what more could you want!!!

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · GU5
★★★★★

Prompt, quick, friendly service, Highly recommended.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · GU5
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Free, no-obligation quote

Book a septic tank or cesspit empty in Cranleigh

A few details about your tank and access are all we need to quote. For an emergency, ring us.

  • 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

Are the villages around Cranleigh on mains drainage?

Cranleigh village is. Outside it, many farms, cottages and houses along the lanes towards Ewhurst, Alfold, Dunsfold and Ellen’s Green have a septic tank or cesspit. If you don’t pay sewerage charges on your water bill, you almost certainly have one.

How do I know my septic tank needs emptying?

The usual signs are slow sinks and toilets, gurgling pipes, a smell near the tank or wet patches over the drainage field. If you don’t know when it was last done, book an empty and start a regular schedule from there.

How big a tanker do you send?

Our tankers range from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons. We choose the size to suit your tank and the access, so tell us about narrow lanes or soft ground when you book.

Our cesspit near Alfold fills much faster in winter. Why?

On the Wealden clay around Alfold, groundwater sits high through the winter. If a cesspit has cracked or has tired joints, that water can seep in and fill it far quicker than your household could. We can check for signs of water getting in when we empty it and suggest what to do next.

I can’t find my tank. Can you?

Often, yes. Tell us about any manhole covers or where the drains seem to run. If it’s well hidden, we can use CCTV and drain tracing to find the tank and the pipes leading to it.

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.

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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