Septic Tanks

suki1964

Not money saving, just advice please.

So our new home has a septic tank. Now this is a new one on me as living in London we are all on the mains.(just managing to get my head around theres no mains gas ) So Im hearing all different things about them. Some people are telling me they need to be emptied, others say they dont So whos right? And if it does need emptying, how do I know? And who empties it?

Many thanks

dromore_Norman

I also have a septic tank and have it in use for over 15 years - it can be emptied once every 12 months free of charge by the Water Service Dept of DOE. You sign an agreement and just phone up to have it emptied. I find that I only need it emptied every other year but it is a matter of preference - obviously if it starts filling up it is necessary to have it emptied ASAP. If you need it empyied more than once per year it must be paid for and is quite a hefty amount!

maka_2

dromore_Norman wrote:

I also have a septic tank and have it in use for over 15 years - it can be emptied once every 12 months free of charge by the Water Service Dept of DOE. You sign an agreement and just phone up to have it emptied. I find that I only need it emptied every other year but it is a matter of preference - obviously if it starts filling up it is necessary to have it emptied ASAP. If you need it empyied more than once per year it must be paid for and is quite a hefty amount!

dont forget if you do get the tank emptied make sure you are there when they do it because the tend to suck th lot out when really you need the top crust left as this is where the bacteria is that fights all the crap coming in. if you find you soak away is blocked try to dig it out yourself (if you know where it is) if not dig your own and chuck some rubble in it because this is pricey to. oh for got to say you cant really clear a blocked soakaway u can free it up for a bit but never clear it with rods or a jetter the only way is dig out the old or make a new.