How Much Does it Cost to Empty a Septic Tank?

If you have a septic tank on your property, you should empty your tank at least once a year to prevent problems, such as overflowing, from occurring. The average price a tradesperson would typically charge to professionally clean and empty a septic tank can be in the range of £90-£300 and can take as little as 45 minutes or up to 3 hours, depending on the size of the tank and the number of people living on your property. 

Small tanks will take a shorter amount of time to empty and clean, and will therefore be in the lower price ranges – the opposite is true for large tanks, the job will be in the upper-cost ranges as they take a longer time to empty and clean. The fees you pay include hiring one of our septic tank experts at Coastal Drains, the removal of waste, general maintenance and repairs, and a chemical cleaning service.

There are multiple variables that come into play when determining the price of the job too. These include:

• The type of septic tank
• Is your septic tank single, or multi-chamber?
• How easy is it to gain access?
• Is your tank full or overflowing?
• When was your septic tank last emptied and cleaned? 
• How many people use the septic tank?

We offer the most cost-effective routes when it comes to expert drainage services. We ensure that we complete your septic tank emptying service in the most efficient and professional ways possible, in order to make the whole service as cost-effective as possible for you. 

Please note that a septic tank emptying and cleaning service should not be treated as one off-treatment. It is your responsibility as the owner of a septic tank on your property to frequently maintain your septic tank and sewage treatment systems. As a general rule, we recommend completing an emptying, cleaning, and maintenance service at least bi-annually; however this can increase depending on the number of people using it, and the volume of waste your household accumulates. 

Your Responsibilities as the Owner of a Septic Tank

If you have a septic tank on your property, it is a legal requirement for you to realise the importance of your responsibility to maintain good upkeep of your septic tank. If the septic tank on your property does become an issue to public or environmental health, then your local council authority may get involved. 

Below, we’ve listed a few essential responsibilities for you to take upon yourself as the owner of a septic tank in order to remain lawful:

• De sludge and empty your septic tank regularly in order to prevent pollution or damage to the local environment
• Immediately repair any faults or problems
• Inspect the area where your septic tank releases sewage for any signs of potential problems on a monthly basis
• Empty your septic tank bi-annually at least – depending on the number of people using it
• Limit the drainage system’s discharge to the ground to a maximum of 2,000 litres per day, or 5,000 litres per day into flowing water. If your property produces any more than this, you will need a permit. To find out how much your system produces, follow this UK Government website. 

If you require a permit for your septic tank, then please get in contact with The Environment Agency, which also has an incident hotline dedicated to concerns about a septic tank causing pollution. 

What Does a Septic Tank Cleaning and Emptying Service Include?

As the number one choice of drainage company in Sussex, we aim to provide the best possible services to our clients throughout the area. A septic tank emptying and cleaning service is the best way to maintain a high standard of waste removal and water hygiene. When we arrive on your property to complete this service, our septic tank engineers will assess the scale and complexity of the job. 

A special hose, designed to suction out and remove all accumulated waste, is inserted into your septic tank. Once the tank has been emptied, with all waste appropriately disposed of by our experts at a local sewage treatment plant, we will also perform a backwash with the purpose of removing any leftover solids that have not yet been broken down by the ecosystem within the tank chamber. 

After the tank has been fully emptied and cleared of any waste, our expert septic engineers will inspect the interior for any cracks or damage. If we discover any damage or potentially dangerous features, you must have repair work completed to ensure your drainage system does not fail in the future. To check everything is running as it should, we may also test the system by flushing a toilet.

Our specialists will then use professional, industry-standard, cleaning products to remove any leftover scum – thoroughly ensuring the safety and longevity of your septic tank for continued use. 

Contact us Today

Our services are the most efficient, and least invasive when it comes to servicing, cleaning, and emptying septic tanks across the entirety of Sussex. In the event of an emergency, we also provide 24/7 emergency callouts without callout charges. In any event – we’ve got your back throughout Sussex. 

Do you need your septic tank in Rye emptying? Or do you need a repair for your septic tank in Chichester? Our drainage experts at Coastal Drains can get the job completed in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible. 
Contact us today.