Septic Tanks
Your Private Sewage System
If your home is in a rural area or simply too far from the main road, you might not be connected to the public sewer. Instead, you rely on a septic tank.
A septic tank is essentially a simple settlement chamber buried in your garden. It separates the wastewater from your house to allow the solids to settle at the bottom (sludge) and the grease to float to the top (scum). The remaining liquid then flows out into the ground via a drainage field.
In simple terms: It separates the waste, keeps the solids in the tank, and lets the liquid soak away safely into the ground.
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The New Rules (Important!)
In recent years, the regulations for septic tanks in the UK have changed (specifically the General Binding Rules).
Crucially: A septic tank must discharge into the ground (a drainage field). It is illegal for a septic tank to discharge directly to surface water (into a ditch, stream, canal, river, etc).
If your tank goes to a watercourse, you must upgrade it (usually to a Sewage Treatment Plant). ASL can help you check if you are compliant and explain your options if you aren’t.
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How ASL Can Help
We cover the entire lifespan of your septic tank, from putting it in to keeping it running.
1. Emptying & Maintenance – Septic tanks are not “fit and forget” systems. The sludge at the bottom needs to be removed regularly (desludged) by a tanker. If you don’t do this, the solids fill up and spill out into your drainage field, ruining the soil and causing expensive damage. We offer scheduled emptying to stop this happening.
2. Inspections & Home Surveys – Buying or selling a property with a septic tank? The seller of the property is legally required to inform the buyer about the condition of the system. We carry out full inspections to check:
- Is the system working?
- Is the tank structurally sound?
- Is it watertight?
- Is it compliant with environmental rules?
3. Repairs & Troubleshooting – If you have wet patches in the garden, you are experiencing bad smells, or the system is overfilling and drains are backing up, something is wrong. We can check for:
- Cracked or leaking tanks.
- Broken “baffles” (the internal barriers).
- Blocked inlet or outlet pipes.
- Groundwater leaking into the tank (which fills it up too fast).
- Failed drainage field (so the water no longer has anywhere to go).
We will diagnose the problem and advise you on the works required to resolve the issue.
4. Installations – If your tank requires replacing or you are building a new home, we design and install modern septic tanks that meet all Building Regulations. We ensure they are the right size for your property and positioned the correct distance from your building and boundaries.
Signs Your Tank Needs Attention
You should give us a call if you notice:
- Bad smells: Around the tank or inside the house.
- Soggy ground: The grass around the tank or soakaway is wet or spongy, even in dry weather.
- Backups: Toilets and sinks are draining slowly or gurgling.
- Overflowing: The tank level is sitting higher than the outlet pipe.
Who Is This Service For?
- Homeowners: Living in rural or off-mains properties.
- Buyers & Sellers: Needing a compliance report for a property transaction.
- Farmers & Businesses: Managing waste for rural sites.
The Benefits of Using ASL
- Stay Legal: We ensure you aren’t accidentally breaking environmental laws.
- Save Money: Regular maintenance prevents the expensive failure of your soakaway.
- Sell with Confidence: Our reports give potential buyers peace of mind.
- Protect the Environment: A healthy tank keeps local groundwater clean.
Keep your septic tank safe, legal, and working perfectly with ASL.
ASL ensures systems meet modern standards and operate efficiently.
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:
