How Often Do You Empty A Septic Tank?

A septic tank holds wastewater from a property, filtering and treating liquids, but leaving solids behind. This is why regular maintenance and emptying are crucial.

Homeowners in the UK should look to have their septic tank emptied at least once a year, but the frequency depends on the size of the tank and how many people live in your home. If you fail to maintain or upgrade your tank in line with current legislation, you can cause pollution, leading to fines and wider environmental damage.

At Express Drainage Surveys, this month, we’ve created a guide on how often to empty your septic tank, as well as pointers on how to stay compliant with the latest rules and regulations. As specialists in CCTV drain surveys, we have the technology to identify any drainage issues you might have with your system.

Understanding septic tanks and how they work

It’s important to have a good understanding of what your septic tank does to know how to look after it. Your tank is essentially there for the separation of solids, liquids and scum delivered via your household pipes. The liquid is treated, with the effluent then dispersed into the ground around it or in a drainage field. Meanwhile, solids sink to the bottom before filling up the tank to the point where it needs to be emptied.

You should not have your septic tank discharge into surface water areas, such as rivers, ditches or streams, as this poses an extreme environmental risk.

How often should you empty a septic tank in the UK?

If you’re looking for a general rule on how often to empty a septic tank, it’s once every 12 months, recommended for most households. However, there are several factors that could mean you need this service sooner:

Tank size: The smaller the tank, the faster it fills up
Household size and usage: The more occupants you have, the more wastewater there is
Grease, oils and wipes: If you improperly dispose of these items, you could clog up your septic tank, meaning it needs attending to more regularly

The 12-month rule is one applied by most drainage professionals, but we recommend speaking to a septic tank emptying company to get a more exact schedule for your home. Failure to attend to this can lead to costly repairs, blockages or your entire system needing replacing.

Signs your septic tank needs emptying

Because a septic tank is hidden underground, you can be forgiven for not knowing precisely when it’s due for attendance by a tanker. Here are the common signs your septic tank needs emptying, so that you can act smartly to preserve your property:

Slow-draining sinks and toilets. This points to a backed-up system that can no longer handle the water being sent its way.
Unpleasant odours around your drains or soakaway area. Your tank should be equipped to stifle most odours, so this would suggest it’s already at capacity.
Pooling water or soggy ground around the tank. At this point, your tank has begun to overflow and will need immediate attention.
Gurgling sounds in the plumbing. If you notice strange sounds, this should be one of your first clues that something isn’t right.
Overflow or backflow during heavy rainfall. A full septic tank cannot handle heavy rain.
Greener lawn areas. Noticing a more lush lawn? That’s possibly a sign that your septic tank is overflowing, adding excessive nutrients to the ground, and that’s not a good thing.

If you think you have major issues with your septic tank or drainage system, this is where a professional CCTV drain survey can help you get to the bottom of matters.

The 2023 UK septic tank regulations explained

No one wants to be landed with penalties for non-compliance, pollution fines, enforcement notices or issues with selling their property. That’s why it’s key to comply with the law.

In 2023, the Environment Agency released updated regulations, which banned the discharge of untreated effluent to surface water. Any system not able to handle wastewater in line with the regulations should be upgraded or replaced.

If you’re unsure whether you meet with septic tank compliance, why not book an inspection and maintenance service to help you get to grips with matters?

How to stay compliant and maintain your system

Need some simple steps for maintaining your septic tank system and your compliance? Here’s our quick guide:

Check your system type and discharge location
Schedule a CCTV drainage survey to assess the condition of your system
Book for regular emptying and maintenance with a licensed waste carrier
Upgrade your outdated system with immediate effect if discharging to a watercourse
Keep a record of all maintenance and emptying appointments to help aid a future property sale or inspections

How much does septic tank emptying cost in the UK?

The exact price for how much septic tank emptying costs is dependent on your location and the size of your tank. Typically, the price will range between £150-£300, though access issues could also factor into this, so it’s always advisable to get a range of quotes from companies offering this service.

As well as considering the budget for emptying your septic tank, you should also factor in additional costs for inspections and repairs. Through annual maintenance of your septic tank, you can keep it running smoothly for years to come, making it cheaper than reactive, emergency repairs.

At Express Drainage Surveys, we can identify any structural or compliance defects within your drainage system early, making them easier to take care of before things become too problematic.

Drainage services from a leading UK expert

Now you know that you should empty your septic tank at least once a year and ensure compliance with the latest government regulations, what about the rest of your drainage system?

If you’re unsure about the condition or compliance of your septic tank and associated drainage, book a professional drainage survey with our experts at Express Drainage Surveys today. Our experienced team offers a wide range of services to help you keep your property safe, efficient and flowing as it should. Read more on our service pages for further details of what we can offer:

Contact us and arrange your appointment, or just talk to our team for any further advice and info on septic tanks and drainage.