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After initial assessment I was told it was a two man job who duly arrived in a couple of days with a jetting machine to clear the limescale. They worked very hard to jet the blockage one in the bathroom one outside at the manhole with the jetter. When they were satisfied the soilpipe was clear they inserted a camera so we could all see the there was now no obstruction. They were pleasant and informed me what was happening all the time, I would recommend them to others.
PAT
Very high standard of work carried out by Mark. Solved my issue,very knowledgeable,punctual and tidy. Would recommend & certainly use again.
Patrick
Very good and efficient job, excellent standard of work, well satisfied.
Jeremy
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Septic Tank Emptying, Installation & Cleaning | Find a Septic Tank Service Near You
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is a type of sewage system for the home, and is generally used in rural properties that can’t be connected to a larger sewer system.
How does a septic system work?
All sewage and wastewater leaves the house via a main pipe, and goes into the septic tank which is buried underground. The tank is usually made of concrete, fibreglass, PVC, or plastic.
Inside the tank, solid waste sinks to the bottom and is partially decomposed by bacteria. Other elements like fat and plastics rise to the top, creating a crust. What’s left in the middle is relatively cleaner water – and we stress the word ‘relative’ here. It’s a long way from being drinking water, but it can be drained into the ground, which disposes of it naturally in the local ecosystem, rather than contributing to the work of a large sewage facility.
When the water leaves the septic tank, it goes into a distribution box. This box feeds the water into a set of underground pipes, which then releases the water into the soil. The ground above these pipes is known as the draining field or soakaway.
The whole system can easily work using gravity, with each component being lower than the last, but if this isn’t possible then pumps can assist in getting the water where it needs to go.
Some water evaporates into the air, and the rest soaks down into the soil. The soil itself filters out chemicals and minerals, while microbes in the soil break down impurities in the same way the septic tank does.
Releasing water back into the ground keeps it moist, and helps plants grow.
The system also requires a vent to release noxious gasses from the septic tank, as well as allow air into the system.
What can a septic tank specialist help with?
Cleaning
The most important thing you’ll need a septic tank specialist for is to clean out the system. The solids at the bottom of the tank, as well as the crust at the top, build up faster than it decomposes. These elements need to be removed from the tank periodically, which is why the tank has access hatches built in. About once a year, you’ll need to arrange for someone to pump out the excess waste. If this is ignored, then the waste will build up and eventually block, backing up into the house.
Installing or replacing a septic tank
Over time, you might need to replace parts, or all, of a septic system. If the system requires cleaning every few months then that’s a sign of blockage or inefficiency. Maybe you can see waste water or sewage coming up from the ground, which could be a sign that the tank is no longer watertight. These are severe cases but they’re the biggest reasons why you might need to replace the system.
You might have a large house with a lot of water usage, in which case you could consider a larger tank. It’s also possible to link two or more tanks together if you need larger capacity.
Costs for septic tank installations and maintenance
- Tanks start at around £800.
- Installation is around £1500.
- The drainage field, or soakaway, costs about £5000 to lay, for about 100 metres of drains. This is the total length of the pipes – you don’t need a 100-metre stretch of land to accommodate it.
- Emptying the tank annually will cost around £150.
Maintenance of your septic tank system
If you want to maintain your system in the best possible way, there are 3 things you need to know.
How the system works.
Everything happens underground and out of sight, so it’s important you know what’s going on. This page tells you everything you need to know, so you’ve got that covered.
Where the pipes are.
If you’re installing a septic tank system, get your installer to show you where everything is, plus you should always keep plans of the work for future reference. If you’re buying a house that already has a system installed, you should ask for the plans. If they’re not available then use a septic tank specialist to help you find out where everything is.
Potential ways you could damage the system.
You shouldn’t build anything on top of the drainage pipes. If you put any sort of shed or building on top of the pipes, you’re almost definitely going to cut or damage them. Also it stops air from getting into the soil, which would hinder the soil’s ability to filter the water.
Likewise, don’t drive over the pipes, or park a vehicle there. This weight will compact the soil and stop it from being able to accept water at all. In severe situations, the weight of a car could even crush the pipes. You shouldn’t keep large animals there – like horses or cows – for the same reason.
Don’t pour waste chemicals, paints, or cooking oils down the sink. These can kill the microbes in the septic tank that break down the solid substances. They can also clog the drainage field which would eventually fill the tank, and back up into the house.
Always know where your access hatches are too, and keep them clear of obstruction.
Lastly, don’t plant any trees or bushes too near the system as the roots could disturb the pipes too.
8 things to check when buying a property with a septic tank
- Ask if the septic tank has been maintained regularly – ask for invoices or receipts for tanker visits or service calls. A septic tank usually needs to be emptied annually.
- Find out how often the system is currently being emptied. If it’s being emptied every few months, this could be a sign of a problem.
- Ask the current owners how much their service costs, so you can work out how much it’ll cost you annually.
- Don’t rely on homebuyer surveys to tell you what’s going on underground – they only take a basic look at drainage systems. It’s crucial you get a full pre-purchase drainage survey before buying somewhere with a septic system. Get the tank emptied at the same time, to make sure the walls and pipework of the tank can be inspected.
- Ask for a plan of the drainage system.
- Find out if any part of the system is on someone else’s land. You need to know what the relationship is like with the landowner as you’ll need access for repairs, replacements and maintenance.
- Think about access to the property. Tankers need to be within 30 metres of the tank to empty it. Are you planning an extension or similar? If so you’ll need to make sure this access is maintained.
Where does the waste water go when it leaves the tank? If it goes straight to a watercourse or a ditch, this isn’t legal any more. By 2020, you’ll need to have it
Planning permission for septic tanks
If you’re installing a new septic tank system
For installations in England, you need planning permission and building regulations approval.
There are different rules for septic tanks and treatment plants in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
If you have a system that didn’t get permission and approval
In England, you need to apply retrospectively for both planning permission and building regulations approval.
You don’t need to do this if your system was installed before 1 January 2015.
Regulations for operating a septic system
You must follow the general binding rules if you’re the operator of a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant.
The sewage must:
- Be domestic, for example – from a toilet, bathroom, shower or kitchen of a house, flat or business – contact the Environment Agency if you’re not sure if the sewage is classed as domestic.
- Not cause pollution – find out how to check for pollution.
There are other rules depending on whether you’re releasing sewage to the ground, or into surface water.
Releasing to the ground
You have to use a septic tank or a small sewage treatment plant and a drainage field (infiltration system).
You need to apply for a permit if you release (‘discharge’):
- To a well, borehole or other deep structure.
- More than 2 cubic metres (2,000 litres) per day.
- In a groundwater source protection zone (SPZ1).
Releasing to a surface water
You must use a small sewage treatment plant. You must apply for a permit if you’re discharging more than 5 cubic metres (5,000 litres) per day. Use the calculator to work out how much you discharge per day.
Find out more on the government’s website.
Insurance for skill work
All tradespeople should have public liability insurance, which protects you, and them, against any accidents or injury.
JSF Plumbing Services is a full-service plumbing company that offers a wide range of services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. We have been in business for over 20 years and are proud to be one of the most trusted and reliable plumbing companies in the industry. Our team of highly trained and experienced plumbers are committed to providing excellent customer service and delivering high-quality workmanship. • Residential Plumbing Services: Our residential plumbing services include everything from fixing leaky faucets to installing new plumbing systems. We also offer emergency services for urgent plumbing issues. • Commercial Plumbing Services: We provide a wide range of commercial plumbing services, including installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing systems for office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, and more. • Water Heater Services: We offer installation, repair, and maintenance services for all types of water heaters, including tankless water heaters, gas water heaters, and electric water heaters. • Drain Cleaning Services: Our drain cleaning services include unclogging blocked drains, fixing slow drains, drainage jetting and repairing damaged sewer lines. • Leak Detection Services: We use the latest technology to detect leaks in your plumbing system and provide efficient and cost-effective solutions. • Emergency Services: We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent plumbing issues. Why Choose Us: • Experienced and highly trained plumbers • Reliable and efficient service • Competitive pricing • High-quality workmanship • 24/7 emergency services • Excellent customer service • Free estimates
Sound bloke, informative, and knowledgable, definitely tries his best to do best for the client rather than for making money! Cheers again. Will definitely keep him for future use!
We are reliable company whose main objective is to get the work done swiftly and leave with a happy customer. we provide 24 hour drainage and plumbing services so that your problems are solved around the clock with 18years of experience covered by a professional engineer.
James was friendly, efficient, charged a fair price and took the time to explain the issue, answer questions and check other issues while he was there
Are you in search of a reliable and experienced building and landscape company? Look no further than LT Construction & Landscape Ltd! With over 20 years of experience, we have established ourselves as a professional, family-run business dedicated to providing top-notch services to our clients. From painting and decorating to new build extensions and garden services, we offer a wide range of construction and landscaping solutions to meet your needs. Whether you are looking to renovate your home or create a stunning outdoor space, we have got you covered. At LT Construction & Landscape Ltd, we take pride in our work and strive to exceed our clients' expectations. Our team of experts is committed to delivering high-quality results, ensuring that every project is completed to the highest standards. What sets us apart from other companies is our dedication to customer satisfaction. We understand that every project is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their vision comes to life. We prioritize open communication, transparency, and integrity in all our interactions, creating a seamless and stress-free experience for our clients. As a token of appreciation for choosing us, we promise to beat any quote you've had. This is our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your project. We are confident in the value we bring to our clients and are committed to providing affordable solutions without compromising on quality. So, if you're in need of reliable and professional construction and landscape services, look no further than LT Construction & Landscape Ltd. Contact us today for a free quote and let us help you bring your vision to life. #construction #landscape #building #renovations #freequote ????????
Contractors made arrangements to call, arrived on time, they seemed very nice & efficient; however we did not receive a quote as promised, when I queried it; he apologized saying he thought he had emailed me to say it would be late as he had broken his collarbone. Then I received a text saying he wasn't going to quote as he was off sick for 6 weeks, so unfortunately we are unable to rate his work...
My name is Edward and I am the director of London’s finest drainage. I am based in the London and Kent areas and will cover all areas within 25 miles. London’s finest drainage specialises in all aspects of drainage including blockages, plumbing, cctv drain surveys, drain jetting, repairs, maintenance, helpful advice and 24 hour call outs. With over 10 years experience we offer exceptional work at good prices and will hopefully be able to price match a job. You will always receive a friendly, helpful, flexible and trustworthy service with use of the top of the range equipment that will reach all blockages. No job is ever too big for London’s finest drainage.
They are very responsive and super efficient. Most importantly, they charge much more fairly than some others who quoted for three times as much.
Turned up on time and did a super job at a budget that suited me. Thanks.
Hi everyone my names Anthony from AR Drainage Solutions. At AR Drainage Solutions we cover everything to do with drainage, foul and storm, from roding & High pressure water jetting To remove blockages. Cctv camera surveys with a professional wincan report. RIP out and renews (installations) of new and old lines due to collapses. No Dig Repairs (fibreglass lining and patching), like if you had a faulty line that runs under a building such as a store or liscence premises and way to much money to shut in order for it to be dug up then we can install a patch or liner with sophisticated equipment from the outside manhole and no hassle to the client or business. We pride ourselves on providing a great service from the cradle to the grave and all our clients know that once they have sent us the job we see it through to the end with as less hassle to them as possible, most of our clients are middle men dealing with insurance, lettings or housing associations and just want to pass on the job and be confident it will be carried out correctly.
Great job, great service, reliable
We're a family run business that provide a professional and reliable service in hard landscaping, driveway, fencing and much more.
Excellent workmanship would thoroughly recommend Ian Wheeler for his value for money and complete understanding of what we required, and nothing was to much trouble in completing the job.
Covering... The New Forest - Drainage / Septic tanks / Treatment Plants / Drain and Sewer Clearance / Drain Relaying / Resin Lining / CCTV Surveys / Repairs and Maintenance.
Very good communication to set up the job. Emailed 20 mins ahead to say he was on his way, which was helpful. Pleasant and enthusiastic worker who just got on with the job efficiently. Recommended.
Tony and his sons came to us to do a fairly small renovation. By the time we had finished adding things on to their list they were with us for over 2 weeks. They took changes in their stride, with good humour and also suggested ways we could save time and money whilst still achieving the look we wanted. And most importantly they were hard working, trustworthy and clean - tidying and wiping down every night before they left. We were so impressed, we have now asked Tony to build our extension.
billiant what more can i say
Always here on time, reliable person, would recommand.
Phase 1 nearing completion and scores 10:10 Excellent team under Joe Kerr - they can all think on the run which is vital with a renovation project. Phase 2 will start in a couple of weeks and in the meantime we have already recommended to close friends with the two projects running alongside. No hesitation in highest recommendations.
From first contact they were knowlegeable and able to resolve my problem. The work was carried out efficiently, quickly and to my sastisfaction.
Graham did a very professional job in solving a tricky problem with water seeping into the garage. He turned up as promised, and kept me informed at all stages of the job. He did an extremely good job and left the area clean and tidy. I would have no hesitation in recommending him in the future.
Ben Atherton - Bricklayer/General Builder
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
Excellent work. On time for both looking at the job and doing the job. Good quote and really good job, would recommend Ben.
Very reliable, honest, skilled and reasonably priced. I would highly recomend him
Quote was very transparent and competitive. Andy was very flexible to our changing needs and delivered on all his promises. Have already recommended to family and friends. Very happy with the job.
R Jones Property & Building Maintenance
Septic Tanks - Installation / Emptying / Cleaning
Hard working, clean, reliable, cost effective building and property maintenance, handy man services in South East Essex area. No job is too big or too small. Carpentry, ground works, small extensions, painting and decorating, bathroom, kitchen fitting
Got the job done quick and to a good standard
I've just signed my company up to Rated People and am looking to find jobs. My name's Billy and I have worked in the drainage and groundworks industry for my entire working life, over 2 decades now. I have worked for all the major players and now I've set my own firm up. Flex cover all types of drainage works, clearing blocked drains, sink and toilet unblocking, high pressure water jetting, cctv drain surveys, soakaways, cesspits, water treatment plants and all types of drainage pipe repairs. If we have to dig the ground to get to a pipe rest assured we have the know-how and skills to re-instate your ground whether its a block driveway, garden slabs or even tarmac. The team and I will re-instate your property back to how it originally was. I've invested in 2 fully kitted out vans, one for drainage and the other for our groundworks jobs. It's time to get our name out there - FLEX have arrived and our ethos is simple: deliver a 1st class job, take pride and ensure the client is well informed and 100% happy with our work before invoicing. Working for both the commercial, industrial and the domestic sector, our services span across Kent, London, Essex, Sussex and Surrey. On hand 24/7 for any emergency drainage repair works – we offer a no hassle service. We're a small yet super friendly team can that fix your issue, so give us a try.
Very happy with the guys, fixed out toilet waste pipe and found further problems which they addressed. Jetted the manhole. Great service and great price so happy to recommend them
We are a Drainage company with over 15 years of Experience, which was developed at 2 of the largest Drainage companies in the U.K. We Cover the North West & North Wales region of homes and small businesses. We carry out many aspects of drainage work which include; * Fixed Price Drain Unblocks that come with a 90 day guarantee * Drain Cleaning * Drain Surveys * Sonar Tracing * Excavations & Repairs that come with a minimum 12 month guarantee + more. We create a Job Serviced Report with every job and send them to your email upon payment. Most importantly, we always complete work to high standard standard.
Absolutely perfect Job, I’m very happy
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