FAQ

A septic tank is an underground storage receptacle constructed from either concrete, plastic or fibreglass. They collect the wastewater and sewage from homes and businesses that are disconnected from the mains sewer system. As the sewage travels through a series of chambers, bacteria break down the waste and it separates into layers, a sludge at the base, a crust at the surface and the water sits in between. This water can then drain via a soakaway or drainage field.

A soakaway, is a large hole, lined with clean stone, rubble, crate or a reed bed, connected to the septic tank via a perforated pipe. The natural liner acts as a filter, helping to remove pollutants from the wastewater before it drains through the surrounding subsoil.

An efficient septic tank with a fully functional soakaway will need to be emptied annually. Frequency will fluctuate depending on the number of users or size of the establishment/business. Your tank may also fill quicker if your system isn’t performing optimally. If you don’t know whether your septic tank needs to be emptied, then give us a call. We will be happy to take a look when we are in the area and provide some free advice.

If you leave your septic tank unemptied for too long, the solid waste can build up and enter the soakaway system. If excessive sludge enters the soakaway it can cause it to fail, leading to back-ups and preventing you from flushing your toilets. We issue annual reminders to all of our customers, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to empty yours. Alternatively, you can set up an ongoing maintenance program.

Sewage treatment plants differ from septic tanks, in that they treat and clean the water and waste rather than separating it. This is a mechanical system that actively breaks down the matter for easier cleaning and processing, which results in a more environmentally friendly by-product. Water leaving treatment plants is as much as 95% cleaner than that in alternative waste tanks. This means they can discharge into watercourses, ditches or land drainage systems (subject to consent from Natural Resources Wales). Sewage treatment plants also need to be emptied/de-sludged annually (subject to usage) to prevent system failure or overflow. Call us if you are unsure when to schedule this service.

Our fleet of state-of-the-art and meticulously maintained vacuum vehicles can empty tanks of all kinds, in virtually location (thanks to our 7.5 tonne mini tanker). Using powerful hoses, the waste will be sucked out of the system and onto our vehicles, quickly, efficiently and affordably. Our operators are extremely experienced and will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the process. 

Blocked drains can be caused by:

• Flushing wipes, towels or sanitary products down the toilet
• Disposing of fat and oil-based products down the drain
• A build-up of hair, typically down the bath or shower drains
• A build-up of specific soaps and detergents used for laundry
• Tree roots breaking through and entering the pipe system
• A breakdown of old pipes or a result of poor installation

Using high pressure jets, we are able to blast blocked drains using water pressure alone, adjustable via the use of a variety of different nozzles. We have plenty of experience in dealing with challenging drainage situations. If you have a blocked drain and need some help, get in touch with us today.