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All About Septic Tanks

18.02.2021  |  

Here at Unblock Cumbria, we don’t just unblock toilets, sinks, drains and sewers, we are able to tackle any part of a sewage system, including septic tanks. Today we’re going to focus on our septic tank services, including septic tank installation and septic tank emptying. We’ll also answer questions about how septic tanks work, when you should empty your septic tank and when you might need to upgrade it.

How Does a Septic Tank Work?

It’s a tank that collects septic waste. If it doesn’t have an outlet it is a cesspit. The septic tank works by giving the waste effluent time to separate into solids, which fall to the bottom of the tank, and liquids that leave the tank by the outlet pipe. The liquid usually goes to a soakaway – or more properly a drainage field, where the effluent percolates into the ground. This is where the bugs and worms feast on the effluent and convert it into plant nutrients. The septic tank must be emptied periodically so that the retained solids do not get a chance to flow into the drainage field.

There is another type of tank – the package treatment plant and this differs from a septic tank in that it treats the sewage and produces a much cleaner effluent that can be disposed to a watercourse. It is no longer allowed that septic tank liquids can be discharged to a watercourse.

Unblock Cumbria Septic Tank Installation

Let’s face it, upgrading your septic tank is not going to be high on your list of priorities unless you have to do it. Reasons to have to would include a discharge to a watercourse and collecting rainwater into the septic tank. These are not allowed by the Regulations. When you opt for a septic tank installation from Unblock Cumbria, we always adhere to the general binding rules and installation regulations. We begin with a site survey, to produce a comprehensive report and system design. At this stage you will be given a no-obligation quotation, if you wish to go ahead then the quote will cover all aspects, there will be no hidden costs or unexpected additions. Your property will, after completion of the work, be returned to the same standard as before we started work -except that you will have a fully functioning, compliant unit. Around 14 weeks after commissioning we return to check that the system has stabilised and is delivering a good quality effluent.

Unblock Cumbria Septic Tank Emptying

At Unblock Cumbria, we are able to carry out septic tank emptying, using our fleet of purpose-built tankers. When you select us to empty your septic tanks, you can be assured that all waste will be safely collected, disposed and process at fully licensed treatment facilities. We also provide full traceability for the waste, along with duty of care notes, and tank inspection records.

When Should I Empty my Septic Tank?

Septic tanks will need emptying when the solid levels have built up within the tank. The settled liquid simply drains away through the soakaway or drainage field. This is designed to treat the waste effluent through the naturally occurring bacteria. This process isn’t possible if there is a build-up of solids, and if unemptied, it can lead to the solids blocking the drainage field and the first you will know about it is when the drains fill and back up the property. Generally, you can expect your septic tank to require emptying every year if the house is fully occupied by a family or less frequently if there are fewer folks at home.

Do I Need to Upgrade my Septic Tank?

You will need to upgrade your septic tank if it discharges to a watercourse. Septic tanks that discharge directly to surface water – whether a ditch, stream, river, lake, or pond – do not conform to the Regulations. Septic tanks should have been upgraded by 1st January 2020, so it is paramount that your tank complies with these rules now. You will also need to consider modification or upgrade if surface water – from your roof or the ground around your property enters the septic tank.

Contact Us

For more information about our septic tank services, whether you want to find out the cost of upgrading your septic tank, or the septic tank emptying cost, please complete the contact form, or email us at [email protected] for a quote. You can also call us on either 01900 870 140 or 0800 252 445 to speak to a member of the team directly and we will be pleased to answer any queries you may have for us.