Tank Inspections & Compliance Reports
Is Your System Legal?
If your property relies on a private drainage system (like a septic tank, treatment plant, or cesspit), you are legally responsible for it.
Since the regulations changed in 2020, homeowners must ensure their system isn’t polluting the environment. Whether you are buying a new home, selling your current one, or just want peace of mind, ASL provides the expert checks you need.
In simple terms: We check if your tank is safe, working properly, and compliant with the law.
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Why Do You Need an Inspection?
The most common reason customers call us for this service is moving house.
If you are selling a property with a private sewage system, your buyer’s solicitor will almost certainly ask for a compliance report. They need to know if the system meets the General Binding Rules. If it doesn’t, it can delay the sale or lead to price renegotiations.
You might also need an inspection if:
- You have noticed problems: Bad smells, boggy ground, or toilets backing up.
- You are unsure of the rules: You have an old tank and don’t know if it discharges illegally.
- Insurance Claims: You need evidence of damage for your insurer.
The General Binding Rules (The Important Bit)
Strict environmental rules (known as the General Binding Rules) are now in force in England.
Crucially: It is no longer legal for a septic tank to discharge directly into a watercourse (like a ditch, stream, or river). If your tank does this, it must be replaced or upgraded. Our inspection will tell you immediately if you are compliant or if you need to take action.
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How We Carry Out the Inspection
We follow a thorough, structured process to give you a clear answer.
1. Visual & Structural Check – We open the lids and look at the physical condition of the tank. We check for cracks in the walls, corrosion on concrete, and damage to the inlet and outlet pipes.
Check may be above ground or may involve tank entry, depending on the system and type of inspection requested
2. Operational Check – We check if the system is actually doing its job. Is the waste separating correctly? Is the water leaving the tank clean enough? If you have a treatment plant, we check if the pump and motor are working.
3. The Compliance Check – We measure the system against the regulations. We check:
- Is the tank the right size for the property?
- Is it too close to a house or a boundary?
- Where does the tank discharge to?
4. Drainage Field Inspection – If there is access to the drainage field, we can carry out a CCTV survey to check the pipework and observe the ground conditions for signs of failure or pollution.
5. The Written Report – You receive a clear, easy-to-read document. It includes:
- A simplified condition rating (Compliant / Non-Compliant / At Risk).
- Photographs or video evidence.
- Recommendations for repairs (if needed).
Common Issues We Find
It is not always bad news, but common faults we identify include:
- Rainwater ingress: Gutters or patio drains wrongly connected to the foul system (which floods it).
- Illegal discharges: Septic tanks discharging waste straight into a watercourse.
- Tree roots: Roots damaging the tank walls or pipework.
- Broken baffles, separation walls or dip pipes: Internal parts of the tank that have fallen off, stopping the waste from separating.
Who Is This Service For?
- Home Buyers: Making sure you don’t inherit a £10,000 repair bill.
- Home Sellers: Proving your system is legal to speed up the sale.
- Solicitors & Estate Agents: Needing expert verification for clients.
- Home Owners: Checking their system is safe and pollution-free.
The Benefits
- Legal Protection: Ensure you aren’t breaking environmental laws.
- Smooth Property Sales: Avoid last-minute delays during conveyancing.
- Avoid Fines: Prevents pollution that could lead to Environment Agency penalties.
- Honest Advice: If your system is fine, we will tell you. If it needs an upgrade, we will explain exactly why.
Ensure your private drainage is safe and legal. Book a compliance inspection with ASL.
A compliance report is often the deciding factor in property sales involving private drainage systems.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“I called at 08:10 hours to report a blocked drain. A little while later, Darren rang to tell me he’d arrive in half an hour. He arrived on time and resolved the problem quickly and without fuss. He was polite and friendly throughout. Within two hours of reporting the blockage, all was well. Thank you.” Customer, Surrey
“I unreservedly recommend ASL. All the glowing reviews of ASL are true. They had to lift paving slabs to fix my drains, and I was concerned there might be unavoidable damage. I should not have worried. Liam and Richard did a superb job. Thanks, ASL” Customer, Surrey
“Darren arrived very promptly and got to work quickly. He did an excellent job and explained what he was doing. We would have no hesitation in recommending ASL Services.” Customer, Surrey
“Very efficient to book them to sort out a sewer drain blockage, and the cost was exactly what they quoted. Called before they arrived with a clear ETA. Got on with the job and sorted it out within the hour. Darren was excellent – very courteous and helpful, did more than we expected to help sort the problem out and was a font of knowledge on all things sewer-related. Given the subject matter (eeew) the whole experience with ASL was an absolute pleasure.” Customer, Surrey
“ASL recently carried out a drain repair at our house. They responded quickly to the call for help, came out and soon diagnosed the problem – tree roots blocking the drain. The remedial work on site was carried out by Lester and George – they worked hard and were very thorough. This is a long-established company that seems to know what they are doing.” Customer, Surrey
Areas we cover
Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, West Sussex and South West London
The ASL Limited HQ is in Guildford, but our operating area is the whole of Surrey and parts of Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London.
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Contact Us
Get in touch today
You can call us on 0800 181 684, email info@asllimited.co.uk or use the form below:
