Whether you have a property or are looking to buy or rent one with ‘off mains drainage’ it is important to understand what type of sewage system you have and the necessary maintenance involved.
There are many forms of Septic Tanks, but they all follow the same principle. Sewage and wastewater flow from your property into the tank via the inlet. This large chamber then allows the solids to settle on the bottom of the tank, fats and grease to float on top and then the liquids in the middle can exit the tank via the outlet into a Distribution Chamber. The liquids then make their way to a drainage field, which is a collection of perforated pipework located below ground, where they can slowly seep away into the ground.
Failing to properly maintain your Septic Tank can have disastrous effects on the environment around you. make sure you are instructing an established, respected and fully licenced waste carrier, like Clearmasters, to look after your sewage system.
We know, let's try and break some of these things down for you...
Inlet - This is the entry point into the tank. all your sinks, toilets etc will flow though pipework from your house to here.
Tank - The main section of your sewage system, this is a large container usually made from plastic, fiberglass, brick or concrete.
Outlet - This is the pipe leading out of the tank to the Distribution Chamber. usually with a T-Pipe (damn it, more jargon) attached to stop debris getting down the pipe.
Distribution Chamber - This sends the liquid evenly between the branches of the Drainage Field. It is also where you would take a sample from.
Drainage Field - The final part of the system before the liquid goes to ground. bacteria grows here to help treat the liquid before it gets out.
Fair question, but having your Septic Tank emptied at least annually is a requirement of the Environment Agency General Binding Rules.
Although the liquids can get out, the fats and solids remain and build up over time. This is what we are removing when we come to empty it. This is more often described as a de-sludge.
If these build up too much you run the risk of these finding their way into the outlet. this can cause irreparable damage to your drainage field, resulting in your system failing and a hefty bill for a new drainage field to be installed.
Quite simply, we are the best!
We are always on hand, whether it be a routine visit, or an emergency call out to offer you the very best in Septic Tank emptying. We pride ourselves on having a modern fleet of vehicles containing the highest tech equipment to ensure that we can provide you with the high levels of reliability and efficiency that we constantly achieve.
Our friendly and knowledgeable office team, are always available to discuss or advise on any of your Septic Tank requirements or simply to schedule in your Septic Tank emptying at a convenient time and date that suits you.
On site, our team of dedicated, friendly and fully trained engineers will ensure that your emptying is carried out to the highest standard with minimal disruption. Our engineers are always willing and fully encouraged to spend time answering any questions you may have regarding your sewage system.
Common signs include slow-draining sinks or toilets, unpleasant smells near your soakaway or tank area, and gurgling pipework. If you’re unsure, our engineers can carry out a quick check to confirm whether it needs servicing.
The tank can become overloaded, causing waste to back up into your property or push solids into the soakaway — which can lead to full system failure. Regular emptying keeps everything flowing safely and prevents costly repairs.
Yes. Any increase in bedrooms or occupants will increase the load on your system. It's important to check the tank’s capacity and soakaway condition before building. We can advise on whether upgrades or a treatment plant would be more suitable.
Warning signs include wet patches around the soakaway, sewage smells, rising water levels in the tank, or toilets that keep backing up. If you notice any of these, contact us so we can diagnose the issue before it worsens.
Yes — many customers choose to replace older tanks with compliant treatment plants that require less maintenance and meet current regulations. We can assess your site and recommend the most cost-effective upgrade.
Under current UK rules, older systems don’t need to be registered, but they must meet the General Binding Rules. If you’re replacing a tank or installing a new one, planning permission or building regulations approval may be required.
