Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying in Horsham

Most household septic tanks need emptying about once a year. The right interval depends on the size of your tank and how many people live in the property, so a large family in a small tank may need it more often.

The same applies to sewage treatment plants: Environment Agency guidance says the sludge should be removed before it reaches maximum capacity, and at least once a year.

Much more often than a septic tank. A cesspit is a sealed holding tank with no outlet, so everything that goes down your drains stays in it until it's emptied. Depending on its size and how much water you use, that can mean every few weeks.

We can put you on a regular emptying schedule so you never have to think about it.

A cesspit simply stores waste until it's emptied. A septic tank lets solids settle, then sends the liquid out to a drainage field or soakaway. A sewage treatment plant goes further, using air and bacteria to clean the wastewater so it can be released more safely. Treatment plants have motors and pumps, so they need regular servicing as well as emptying.

Not sure which one you have? Give us a call and we'll help you work it out.

The price depends mainly on how much waste needs removing and how easy it is to reach your tank. We give free quotations, and we only charge for what we actually take away, so if your tank holds less than expected, your invoice will reflect that.

Call 03333 233566 for a quote.

If your septic tank discharges straight into a ditch, stream or other watercourse, the Environment Agency's General Binding Rules say it must be upgraded as soon as possible. The options are to connect to the mains sewer, replace the tank with a sewage treatment plant, or install a drainage field.

If you're buying or selling a property with a septic tank, who pays for any upgrade should be agreed as part of the sale. We can survey your system and tell you exactly where you stand. You can read the full rules on GOV.UK.

Much of the Horsham area sits on heavy Weald clay, which drains slowly and gets waterlogged in wet weather. When the ground can't absorb any more, water from your septic tank has nowhere to go and backs up.

Warning signs include slow-draining sinks, gurgling pipes, bad smells, and soggy or unusually green patches of grass over the drainage field. Our CCTV surveys and percolation tests can show whether it needs repair or replacement.

Cut your water use straight away: hold off on baths, showers, the washing machine and the dishwasher, and flush as little as possible. Keep children and pets away from any overflow.

Then call us on 03333 233566. We run emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Very likely. We cover Horsham and the villages around it, from Rudgwick and Slinfold to Cowfold, Henfield and Storrington. See the full list of areas we cover, or call us with your postcode and we'll confirm straight away.