In the UK, a growing number of households are choosing septic tanks for effective waste management. These systems provide vital drainage for properties and eliminate the need for connections to public water and sewer networks. Due to the material they are disposing of, regularly maintaining septic tanks is essential for maintaining safety, health and compliance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of septic tank emptying including what a septic tank is, how to spot signs that yours needs emptying, how septic tank emptying is done and why the experts at Totally Blocked Ltd should be the company you choose.
At Totally Blocked Ltd, we specialise in providing reliable and effective septic tank emptying to keep your systems functioning smoothly. We are dedicated to ensuring that your septic system safeguards your property and the environment. If you need to schedule septic tank emptying, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Totally Blocked Ltd today for more information.
What is a septic tank?
These days, more households than ever are opting for septic tanks. Septic tanks are typically housed underground and are manufactured in concrete, fibreglass or plastic to permit rural properties to enjoy cutting-edge drainage. They also allow freedom from all connections to the main water and drainage systems. Septic tanks work by collecting and partially treating wastewater from plumbing systems such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility spaces. They do this by containing wastewater long enough for solids to settle on the bottle, forming sludge, whilst oils, grease and other sediments float to the top. This then leaves a middle liquid called effluent, which is released into a drain field or soakaway system to undergo further natural treatment. As time passes, the sludge and scum builds-up and will need emptying to prevent system failure issues, and to protect your property and the environment from any potential contamination. By having Totally Blocked Ltd clean and empty your septic tank, you can ensure you have a reliable septic system without experiencing any issues.
Signs You Need Septic Tank Emptying
Regular septic tank maintenance is vital, but how do you know when it’s time to empty your septic tank? Here are some key signs that indicate your septic tank might be nearing capacity and needs emptying:
- Slow Drainage
A key sign that your septic tank needs emptying is slow drainage in your sinks, showers and/or toilets. When water takes longer than usual to drain away, this could signify that your tank is full and is causing a bottleneck in the system. If you ignore this sign, you could face more severe issues such as overflowing or backing up sewage. If you spot slow drainage, we recommend contacting us to arrange septic tank emptying. - Foul Odours
No one likes bad smells, and if you notice unpleasant odours around your property or near the septic tank location, your tank could need emptying. These foul smells are typically caused by a build-up of waste and gases in the tank which begin to escape when the tank is almost full. Don’t ignore foul odours near or around your septic tank, arrange septic tank emptying to avoid a potentially hazardous situation. - Standing Water
If you notice water collecting on or around your septic tank, this is a serious warning sign that it may be overflowing or leaking. Water accumulating around your septic tank can lead to overflows, severe environmental harm and pose potential health risks due to harmful bacteria. If you spot standing water, immediate septic tank emptying is crucial to prevent such issues from escalating. - Unusual Noises
Hearing gurgling or other unusual sounds from your plumbing may point to a full septic tank. These unusual sounds occur when the waste has nowhere to go due to the tank reaching its full capacity, therefore air escapes through your system pipes. If you detect gurgling or other unusual noises, it’s time to schedule a septic tank emptying to stop any problems from becoming serious risks. - Sewage Backups
Sewage backups are probably the most obvious and inconvenient sign that your septic tank needs to be emptied. No one wants to deal with sewage and waste backing up into their home or property, and you must not ignore this sign if it happens. Sewage backups tell you that your tank is full and needs to be emptied immediately. If this happens, prompt action should be taken to safeguard your home and health.
If you notice any of these signs, please don’t hesitate to contact Totally Blocked Ltd today for fast and effective septic tank emptying solutions. At Totally Blocked Ltd, customer service is everything. We work with you to find the best solution for the drainage needs of you or your business, always providing information, advice and clear pricing at every stage.
The Importance of Septic Tank Emptying
Now that you know what a septic tank is, how it functions and the signs that indicate it may need emptying – why is it so important to empty a septic tank? Your septic tank is a key component in maintaining your septic system and safeguarding your property and the environment. Here’s why septic tank emptying is so important…
- Stop System Failures
Your septic tank is responsible for collecting and partially treating wastewater and maintaining them is crucial to their continued function. Regular or scheduled septic tank emptying stops system failures and ensures the effectiveness of the system. Failing to regularly empty your tank could lead to blockages, overflowing and more severe issues.
- Safeguard Your Health
The waste in septic tanks may contain bacteria, viruses and parasites – all of which can be hugely harmful to the health of your family or anyone else who comes into contact with it. Regular septic tank emptying ensures that there is no risk of sewage or waste backing up into your property and reduces exposure to potentially harmful bacteria and more.
- Protect The Environment
If you have a septic tank on your property, you have a responsibility to ensure that it is regularly emptied to protect the environment. When not emptied, septic tanks could leak harmful pollutants into the soil and groundwater, therefore potentially contaminating local water sources. Septic tank emptying ensures the surrounding environment is protected.
- Avoid Foul Odours
Failing to empty your septic tank could expose you to foul and potentially harmful odours. Unpleasant smells emit from your septic tank when it reaches its full capacity as the build-up of waste and gases in the tank begins to escape when the tank is almost full. Don’t ignore foul odours near or around your septic tank, arrange septic tank emptying today.
- Boost System Performance
To ensure the continued optimal performance of your septic tank, we strongly recommend regular septic tank emptying. When a septic tank reaches full capacity, this puts additional pressure on the system, causing it to work harder. Regular septic tank emptying ensures that your tank system is reaching its full efficiency and lifespan.
- Property Value Boost
If you’re considering selling your property soon or in the future, regularly emptying your septic tank can help preserve your property’s value. Prospective buyers may be put off the purchase if they spot that you are neglecting your septic tank, what’s more, tanks that haven’t been maintained may pose health and environmental hazards.
- Legal Compliance
In some locations, regularly emptying your septic tank is a legal requirement and failing to comply with these regulations can lead to fines and other penalties. Regular or scheduled septic tank emptying ensures that you remain compliant with local laws and regulations and avoid unnecessary legal issues.
Septic tank emptying is hugely important for many property owners to prevent system failures, protect health and the environment and ensure legal compliance. If you want to schedule septic tank emptying with Totally Blocked Ltd, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
How do you empty a septic tank?
Septic tank emptying is a maintenance task that requires skill and specialised equipment. At Totally Blocked Ltd, we use advanced methods to ensure your septic tank is thoroughly emptied and maintained. Here’s how we do it:
Cleaning & Emptying
We begin the process by using high-pressure water jets to break up any solid waste and stubborn sludge in the tank. This is followed by using powerful vacuum equipment to extract the waste from the tank. Our equipment ensures that all waste is removed, leaving your septic tank clean and ready for use. The waste is then disposed of following environmental regulations, ensuring that it is handled safely and responsibly.
Inspection & Removal
After emptying the tank, we conduct a thorough inspection of the soakaway area and the lines connected to your septic tank. We check for any blockages or debris that could be causing issues and remove them efficiently. This step is vital for preventing future problems and ensuring that your septic system functions smoothly. By addressing potential issues early on, we help you avoid the inconvenience and expense of more serious repairs down the line.
Maintenance Services
In addition to cleaning and inspection, we offer comprehensive maintenance services to keep your septic tank system in top condition. This includes man-entry maintenance services, where our specialists enter the tank to carry out more detailed inspections and repairs if needed. Regular maintenance is key to prolonging the life of your septic system and ensuring that it continues to operate efficiently.
Ready to schedule septic tank emptying? Get in touch with us today for more information!
Cesspit Emptying
Cesspits, primarily used to collect wastewater from kitchen and bathroom drains, are typically built from masonry. We also handle maintenance for polymer cesspits and a range of septic tank models, including Atlantis, Tricel Vento, and Clearwater.
Cesspit & Septic Tank Servicing
At Totally Blocked Ltd, we are experts in servicing both cesspits and septic tanks. Our services are crucial for properties lacking main drainage connections, ensuring effective management of wastewater and sewage.
Cesspit & Septic Tank Repairs & Inspections
Our experienced technicians offer dependable repairs and thorough inspections for cesspits and septic tanks. We evaluate the condition of your tank to maintain its watertight integrity and perform detailed inspections during routine maintenance.
Septic Tank Emptying FAQs
How much does septic tank emptying cost?
The cost of septic tank emptying varies based on the tank size and the number of occupants in your home. Factors such as the volume of waste and the complexity of the job will influence the final price. Our prices for septic tank emptying are based on services within a 15-mile radius. We also offer a same-day service! If you’d like to schedule septic tank emptying, contact us!
How often should I have my septic tank emptied?
Septic tank emptying should be undertaken twice a year. However, this frequency can vary based on tank design, household size, soakaway conditions, groundwater levels, and soil moisture.
Why is regular septic tank emptying important?
Regular septic tank emptying helps prevent system overflows, blockages, and potential health hazards, ensuring efficient operation and extending the system’s lifespan.
What happens if I don’t empty my septic tank regularly?
Neglecting septic tank emptying can result in blockages, system overflows, sewage backups, unpleasant odours, and environmental contamination.
Can I empty my septic tank myself?
It is not recommended to undertake septic tank emptying yourself due to health and safety risks. Professionals are trained to handle waste safely and in compliance with regulations.
How long does the septic tank emptying process take?
Septic tank emptying typically takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the tank size and job complexity.
Are there any environmental regulations for septic tank emptying?
Yes, there are strict regulations to ensure waste is disposed of responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner. We adhere to these regulations for septic tank emptying.