Whenever we flush a toilet, run a tap or hear the washing machine drain, very few of us think about where that wastewater goes. But for around 10% of British homes, that wastewater isn’t drained into the UK sewage system. Instead, it enters a septic tank, an underground waste storage tank with a limited capacity.

Before your septic tank hits its maximum capacity, it needs to be emptied to ensure it can continue removing waste as normal. Without regular septic tank pumping, the system can overflow and cause serious damage to your property. But what actually happens when a septic tank is being emptied?

How septic tank pumping works

Only businesses that hold an appropriate waste disposal licence are authorised to perform septic tank pumping. So before you hire a waste removal service, make sure to check that they’re properly licensed. WET Hire is registered as an Upper Tier service, meaning we’re authorised to transport waste produced by other homes and businesses.

After you book your septic tank pumping service, we visit your premise with a specialised waste removal vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a large pressurised vacuum attached to a long hose.

Once our engineer has gained access to your septic tank, they insert the hose into the septic tank’s holding area and submerge it in the waste. The vacuum then sucks the sewage from your septic tank into the vehicle waste tank.

When your septic tank is empty or our waste removal vehicle is full, we take your sewage to an approved local storage and treatment facility for disposal. Some of this waste might be repurposed into renewable fertiliser or even used to make energy.

What counts as a full septic tank?

There are actually three different levels of septic tank fullness:

• Normal: Your septic tank has reached the level it was designed to hold. Wastewater flows in and out as intended. The tank will be emptied when pumped, and will return to a normal level of full as you continue to use it.
• Sludge build-up: Sludge builds up on the bottom of your septic tank over time. If it becomes trapped, it won’t disappear on its own, and you’ll need to schedule a septic cleaning appointment. This decreases the capacity of your septic tank, meaning it will reach maximum fullness more quickly.
• Overfull: If you don’t have your septic tank emptied, there will come a point when the drainage field stops accepting water. Instead, water will back up into the overflow tank. Wastewater will rise to the very top of capacity and eventually leak out.

Your septic cleaning schedule

The most important part of maintaining your septic tank is knowing when it needs to be emptied.

How often you need to empty your septic tank depends on your:

• Septic tank size
• Property size
• Amount of wastewater generated
• Amount of solid waste generated

You can check your septic tank documentation for the manufacturer’s recommended service frequency. But as a rule of thumb, we recommend septic tank pumping at least every 6-12 months.

If you’re looking to buy a property that has a septic tank, as the current owners when they last emptied it. If they don’t know, it’s best to schedule septic tank pumping as soon as you move in to mark the start of your own septic cleaning schedule. That way, you can avoid costly and unsanitary problems like leaks and sewage backup.

7 signs your septic tank is full and needs emptying

There are a few signs you can look out for to know when your septic tank is full. But be warned. If you start noticing these signs, damage might have already been done.

1) Foul smells

The more waste builds up in your septic tank, the stronger it will smell. So if you notice disgusting odours around your tank, it’s time to empty it. In the worst cases, the full septic tank will force gas back up your pipes, causing your property to stink.

2) Pooling water

A clear sign of an overflowing tank is when pools of water form around your septic tank drain field, especially if it hasn’t rained in a while. That’s because an overfull tank can become blocked, which forces liquid up through the ground.

3) Slow drains

Sinks, baths, toilets and other systems that drain slowly could be a sign of a full septic tank, or even a clog in your drainage system. Try clearing your drains with a septic-friendly drain cleaner. If that doesn’t fix the problem, call us right away for septic tank pumping.

4) Trouble flushing

A weak or difficult flush in a single toilet suggests it might be blocked. But if this is true for all the toilets in your property, it’s more likely that your septic tank is full.

5) Gurgling water

This is a symptom of many different plumbing issues, including a full septic tank. So if you hear strange noises from your plugs, drains and toilet, don’t ignore them.

6) Sewage backup

The most obvious, unpleasant and damaging sign of an overfull septic tank is sewage backup. You’ll first notice this in the lowest drains in your property. If you’re experiencing sewage backup, schedule an emergency septic tank pumping visit as quickly as possible.

7) An unusually healthy lawn

A strangely appealing consequence of a full septic tank, if only on the surface. When your septic tank overflows, the wastewater can actually fertilise your lawn, causing your grass to grow healthily. If the patch around your septic tank is standing out, it’s time to have it emptied.

Book your septic tank pumping service today

Homes and businesses across Bath, Somerset rely on us for friendly, local and affordable septic tank emptying services. We have more than 10 years’ experience in dealing with waste, and are licensed to perform waste removal to regulation standards. So get in touch today to arrange pumping for your septic tank.