Many residential properties have a septic tank – a large water tight tank usually made of concrete of fibreglass located below the ground a short distance away from the property, where sewage is collected and allowed to decompose before being filtered off through the use of a soakaway.It is a method of disposing of waste without utilising the local authority drainage system, and is therefore commonly found in older properties or in rural areas.
Septic tanks allow for waste to be taken away from the property and are left to break down through natural bacteria and separate through the process of decantation. The solid material will gradually settle at the bottom of the tank, and lower density material will float to the top. The remaining waste water will then filter into a soakaway to be dispersed into the surround ground, or will remain in the tank until it is ready to be emptied.
Septic tanks will inevitably fill up and therefore will require emptying. Depending on the size of the tank and the size of the property in which it services, they usually only need emptying on an annual basis, a service which here at Metro Rod we offer as either a one-off attendance or on a pre-planned schedule. Our engineers will attend with a tanker to empty the tank and dispose of the waste, and high pressure water jetting will usually follow to ensure the tank is ready to be used again.
If it is suspected that there may be an issue with the tank, an assessment can be carried out to check for cracks and other faults that may weaken the tank and allow materials to seep out. Our engineers can attend with a CCTV camera to inspect the inside of the tank and check to make sure it is structurally sound and working to its maximum efficiency.
Key terms
Decantation>>This is the separation of liquids based on their density. Lighter materials will stay at the top and the denser materials will sink to the bottom.
The Laws around septic tanks and how the discharge is changing. As of the 1st of January 2020 all septic tank and discharges should be up to date with new regulations, if a property with a septic tank is being sold then this needs to be done before the house sale can go through! Find out more here
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
Get in touch Drainage Services