Septic Tank Maintenance Guide: When to Get It Emptied

For those living away from the main sewer network, septic tanks provide a safe and convenient means of dealing with wastewater. You’re likely to need a septic tank if your property is more than 50 metres away from the mains, and the latest estimates suggest that this is the case for some 500,000 properties in the UK.

Because of what it is processing, it’s essential that those who own a septic tank understand how it works, what maintenance is required and when it’s likely to need emptying and cleaning. Getting any of this wrong could result in significant harm being done to the local environment or even those living nearby.

In this article, we’re going to focus on getting a septic tank emptied, but first it’s worth reviewing how a septic tank actually works. 

How a septic tank works

Septic tanks are usually made up of three chambers. Wastewater from the property is initially emptied into the first chamber. Solids sink to the bottom, while the liquid residue flows into the second chamber where the process is repeated. 

Eventually, effluent that can be safely released is emptied into a drainage field, where any pollutants are broken down by bacteria.

What’s left in the tank accumulates over time until eventually it needs to be emptied and cleaned, otherwise it becomes full and unable to process further waste. Apart from anything else, this could mean what you’re trying to flush down the toilet – along with everything else, but let’s focus on the really unpleasant stuff here! –  has nowhere to go.

What are the signs that your septic tank needs emptying?

How often your tank needs emptying depends on the size of the tank itself and how much wastewater is produced by the property. The latter will usually be dictated by the number of people living there, but you can usually count on needing to have it done every three to five years. 

But how can you tell if it gets full sooner than expected? Here are five sure signs that your septic tank is full and needs emptying:

• An unpleasant odour will emanate from your tank, but you’ll quickly notice it everywhere.
• Slow drainage from wastewater outlets such as sinks, showers and washing machines.
• Sewage backing up into your house is about as bad as it gets and will make it nearly impossible to live in.
• Water pooling around the tank or in the drainage field (unless you’ve just had very heavy rain).
• Unusually lush or fast-growing grass – wastewater can, after all, also act as an effective fertiliser!

We explored the signs that a septic tank is in need of emptying in much more detail in a previous blog.

DIY vs professional maintenance

One thing that needs to be emphasised is that your septic tank should always be maintained and emptied by licensed professionals, such as the team at AA Turner Tankers. The waste needs to be taken to a specialised facility where it can be processed and disposed of in such a way that it poses no risk to the environment.

DIY maintenance might save a few pounds in the short run, but if you’re caught, you could face unlimited fines or up to six months in prison.

For safe, professional septic tank services, including fully licensed septic tank emptying, AA Turner Tankers is your local expert for Colchester, Essex and Suffolk, along with parts of East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and London.

Get in touch now for more details or to arrange a visit from our specialist team of fully-trained engineers.