How to know when to empty your small domestic Treatment Plant

Many of our customers will often own properties in areas not served by main public sewer lines. Instead, these homes or businesses will be served by a treatment plant or septic tanks, which need care and regular maintenance to keep them in good working condition. This includes all repairs and emptying of your private sewage system. 

But how will you know when to empty your holding tank/septic tank?

Please take a look at the above image of a holding tank with the utility covers off so you can see the dip pipes. It is important that you empty your holding tank. If the holding tank is not emptied at the designed time, the gap between the top crust and bottom sludge will be lost. The waste inside will start to fill the first chamber, leaving less and less space for solids and liquids to settle and separate. 

The solids may also thicken, encrusting on the sides of the tank and the dip pipes. When this happens, if any significant movement takes place in the tank, the crust can become so thick that the dip pipes will block or break. 

This will allow fats and floating solids to pass straight through to the soakaway without being filtered.

Do septic tanks have to be emptied?

It is important that you empty your septic tank.

If the tank is not cleaned, and all of the waste removed the waste inside will start to fill the first chamber, on top of what’s been left, leaving less and less space for solids and liquids to settle and separate. It’s essential to keep the space between the bottom and the top. 

The solids may also have thicken, becoming encrusted on the sides of the tank and the dip pipes. If any significant movement takes place in the tank, it is possible for the crust to become so thick that the dip pipes will break off. This will allow fats and floating solids to pass straight through to the soakaway, without being separated.

It might be appropriate to have what I call thorough empty, and clean up every 3 to 5 years.
If you’ve been using a low price service.

At the moment we are promoting a reduction for a five star service the service is available to the end of August 2024
 

How often should I empty my holding tank?

You should aim to empty your holding tank regularly, usually at least once a year. However, the size and usage of your septic tank may affect how many times per year your tank will need emptying. 

For example, a tank for a household with one or two residents would not necessarily require as much emptying as a household with a family of five or more. 

Large treatment plants of over 32 population may be emptied less frequently, unless the population using the treatment plant fluctuates on occasion, i.e. for large gatherings, or parties. This is possible because of the timers and recycling within the tank.

The lack of emptying will seriously affect the functions of this expensive large treatment plant. As such, it is always best to consult with a professional drainage service about how many times a year you should empty your holding tank before it gets full.

People mostly empty annually, preferably in the summer (if you’re on grass) if you have a hard stand, then it would be at an agreed month or on a day convenient for both.

Signs your septic tank needs emptying.

You will know to empty your septic tank based on the advice given by your tank emptying company. You can ask questions like: how big or small is the tank? – they would know this once they have fully emptied it (including the sludge at the bottom). Others questions you can answer yourself, like how many people on average uses the system? This will give a rough idea when compared to the time it takes to fill up again.

There are a number of different ways to tell if your septic tank is at the right level.

You might be aware your tank is never full unless there’s a serious problem or a simple block drain; as it discharges three-quarter way up the tank at the outlet pipe.

Signs of your septic tank or Treatment Plant is failing or has failed:

• Fixtures such as toilets and washing machines are gurgling, draining slowly.
• There is pooling water around the tank or drain field. Sewage is backing up towards your property. 
• Blocked Drains man cannot unblock the system.
• There is pooling water around the tank and drain field.

To learn more about any of the signs that any sewage tank needs to be emptied, contact us today on 0800 181 684. Our friendly office team are here to help.

What to do when getting your septic tank emptied

When getting your septic tank emptied, it is important to instruct the tanker driver carrying out the work to “de-sludge” the tank as well as remove the wastewater.

This means that they will remove the solid effluent, completely clearing the tank. Often, companies will charge a lower rate for the removal of only the water, but if it's not being de-sludged, the solids would continue to build up, causing problems with your system.

Emptying a septic tank regularly and maintaining its good condition should allow it to run without problems for many years. If you would like us to empty your septic tank for you, please get in touch with us today.

Take advantage of our special five star service at a reduced rate up till the end of August.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ask for our 5 star service on tank empties. Call 0800 181 684.