Septic Tank Care - The Dos & Don'ts
Neglecting a septic tank at a home or commercial property can lead to blockages, unpleasant odours, system damage and potential health or environmental risks. Problems can also develop gradually, meaning poor maintenance may not become apparent until the system is already under pressure.
If you are responsible for a septic tank, you also have legal and environmental responsibilities relating to how the system is maintained, how wastewater is discharged and how sewage waste is handled when the tank is emptied. Regular checks, appropriate use of the system and planned septic tank emptying all form part of effective septic tank care.
This guide from the wastewater management specialists at Universal Tankers explains the main dos and don’ts of septic tank care. It covers routine maintenance, what should and should not enter the system, when emptying may be required and how waste should be managed, to help you reduce the risk of common problems and meet applicable regulatory requirements.
How Do Septic Systems Work?
A septic system collects and partially treats wastewater from a property before releasing the liquid element into a drainage field. Wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers and appliances such as washing machines flows into the septic tank, where the septic system separates solids from the liquid. Heavier material settles to form sludge, while fats, oils and grease rise to the surface as scum.
The liquid between these layers, known as septic effluent, flows into a drainage field. This is sometimes referred to as a septic tank soakaway, although a proper drainage field is different from a rainwater soakaway. Perforated pipes distribute the effluent through the surrounding soil, which absorbs the liquid and provides further treatment before the water reaches ground and surface water environments.
Natural bacteria and other beneficial bacteria within the tank and soil break down organic matter, although accumulated solids still need to be removed through regular emptying.
Water usage can also affect how the system performs. High water consumption increases the load on the tank and drainage field, so property owners should divert rainwater from roofs and yards into suitable surface drains rather than allowing it to enter the septic system. This helps reduce unnecessary pressure on the system and lowers the risk of poorly treated effluent affecting ground and surface water.
A septic tank also differs from a sewage treatment plant, which uses additional mechanical and biological treatment processes. Cesspits are different again, as they are sealed tanks that store sewage rather than treating it, meaning all wastewater must be removed through regular emptying.
Caring for a Septic Tank Dos and Best Practices
Good septic tank maintenance reduces the risk of blockages, overflows and damage while keeping the system running smoothly. The following practices can help protect the tank, drainage field and associated pipework:
- Arrange regular inspections and emptying: septic tanks need to be emptied before sludge and solid waste exceed the system’s capacity. Depending on the size of the tank and how heavily it is used, servicing may be required every 6-12 months. Find out more about septic tank desludging and when it may be required.
- Manage water usage: using water-saving fixtures and spreading activities such as laundry throughout the week can reduce the volume of wastewater entering the tank at one time. Excessive water use can place additional pressure on the tank and drainage field.
- Only flush appropriate waste: toilets connected to a septic system should generally only receive human waste and toilet paper. Wipes, sanitary products, cooking fats and other materials can contribute to blockages within the tank, pipework and foul drains.
- Protect the bacteria within the tank: naturally occurring bacteria break down organic material within a septic system. Septic tank bacteria additives are available for this purpose, although property owners should follow the system manufacturer’s guidance before adding treatment products.
- Protect the drainage field: keep vehicles, heavy machinery and other substantial loads away from the drainage field, as they can compact the soil or damage underground pipework. Grass and shallow-rooted plants can be grown over the area, but deep-rooted trees and shrubs should be kept away from the drainage system.
Following these practices alongside a suitable inspection and emptying schedule can maintain the septic system and identify developing problems before they cause wider disruption.
Why Is it Important to Care for Your Septic Tank System?
Regular septic tank care reduces the risk of blockages, overflows, pollution and avoidable repair costs. It also supports the safe operation of the system and helps property owners meet the environmental requirements that apply to private sewage systems.
Compliance with regulations
If you are responsible for a septic tank, you must meet the rules governing how wastewater is discharged and how waste from the system is handled.
In England, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 underpin the Environment Agency’s general binding rules for small sewage discharges. These cover system maintenance, pollution prevention and where septic tank effluent can be discharged.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 also places a Duty of Care on businesses handling controlled waste. Septic tank sludge must be transferred to an authorised waste carrier and managed through a suitable waste route.
The Water Industry Act 1991 may also apply where a property connects its private drainage system to the public sewer network.
Regular maintenance and appropriate waste disposal enable property owners to meet these responsibilities and reduce the risk of pollution or regulatory action.
Financial savings
Planned septic tank maintenance can reduce the likelihood of more expensive problems developing later.
Regular emptying prevents sludge from exceeding the tank’s working capacity and reduces the risk of solids passing into the drainage field. If the drainage field becomes blocked or damaged, repairs can be disruptive and costly. The Environment Agency specifically warns that insufficient desludging can lead to damage, pollution and expensive repair work.
Routine inspections can also identify developing problems before they lead to overflows, drainage failure or damage to other parts of the system that may otherwise result in costly repairs.
Health and safety
A poorly maintained or failing septic system can allow untreated sewage to escape through leaks, overflows or wastewater backups.
Untreated sewage contains microorganisms and other contaminants that can create health risks if people come into direct contact with it. Escaping wastewater can also contaminate surrounding soil, groundwater or surface water.
Regular emptying and maintenance reduce the likelihood of sewage escaping from the system and keep wastewater contained and managed through the correct route.
Protecting the property and drainage field
The septic tank and drainage field work together as one system. Allowing excessive sludge to accumulate will reduce the tank’s capacity and increase the likelihood of solids reaching the drainage field.
Once a drainage field becomes damaged or unable to disperse effluent effectively, problems can include slow drainage, pooling wastewater, unpleasant odours and sewage backing up into the property.
Keeping the tank maintained and arranging emptying at appropriate intervals helps protect both the tank and the wider drainage system.
Property value
The condition of a private drainage system can also matter when a property is sold.
A documented history of servicing and maintenance provides prospective buyers with useful information about the condition and management of the septic system. In England, when a property with a qualifying small sewage discharge is sold, the operator must provide the new operator with written information about the treatment and drainage system, including its maintenance requirements and any maintenance records available.
Keeping clear servicing records can therefore make it easier to demonstrate how the system has been managed and identify any work that may be required before a sale.
Septic Tank Maintenance Don'ts
Looking after a septic tank also means controlling what enters the system. Certain materials can increase solid waste levels, interfere with the treatment process or contribute to blocked drains and damage within the tank or pipework.
Avoid putting the following into your septic system:
- Non-biodegradable items: wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cotton wool, dental floss, cigarette butts, paper towels and plastics do not break down effectively. They can accumulate inside the system and contribute to blockages.
- Fats, oils and grease: never pour grease, cooking oil or other fats down sinks or drains. These substances cool and solidify within pipework, creating grease clogs that restrict wastewater flow.
- Motor oils and chemicals: motor oils, paints, solvents and other household chemicals should be disposed of through an appropriate waste route rather than poured into the drainage system. They can interfere with the bacteria involved in wastewater treatment and may contaminate the resulting effluent.
- Food waste: coffee grounds, eggshells and food scraps increase the amount of solid material entering the tank. If the property has a waste disposal unit, using it can also increase the volume of food solids entering the septic system and may result in more frequent emptying.
- Medicines and antibiotics: pharmaceuticals should not be flushed down toilets or sinks. Some medicines can affect the bacterial balance within the tank and should instead be disposed of through an appropriate collection route.
- Excessive water: large volumes of water entering the system over a short period can reduce the time available for solids and liquids to separate and place additional pressure on the drainage field.
- Heavy-duty cleaning products: frequent or excessive use of bleach, strong disinfectants and drain cleaners can affect the natural bacteria that break down organic waste within the septic tank.
Controlling what enters the system can reduce unnecessary solids, maintain wastewater treatment and limit the risk of blockages, overflows and avoidable maintenance.
Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Emptied
A septic tank that is nearing capacity will be less effective, and may affect drainage across the property. Common warning signs include:
- Slow drains: sinks, showers or toilets draining more slowly than usual can indicate restricted wastewater flow. This may be caused by a full septic tank, although blocked drains or pipework can produce similar symptoms.
- Unpleasant odours: persistent sewage smells around the septic tank or drainage field may indicate that waste levels are too high or that there is another problem within the system.
- Pooling water: standing water or unusually wet ground around the drainage field suggest that wastewater is no longer dispersing effectively.
- Sewage backups: wastewater backing up into toilets, sinks or other internal drains requires prompt attention and may indicate that the tank has reached capacity.
- Unusually green grass: faster or greener growth above the drainage field can indicate additional moisture or nutrients entering the surrounding soil.
These symptoms do not always mean that the septic tank is full. Blocked drains, damaged pipework or drainage field problems can cause similar issues, so professional assessment may be required to identify the cause.
How Do You Maintain Your Septic System's Drain Field?
A septic tank drainage field, sometimes referred to as a leach field or absorption field, is the part of the septic system that receives liquid effluent after it leaves the tank. The effluent passes through a network of perforated pipes before filtering through the surrounding soil, where further treatment takes place.
Maintaining the drainage field helps it continue dispersing wastewater effectively and reduces the risk of waterlogging, damage and pollution.
Good maintenance practices include:
- Keep vehicles and construction activity away: heavy vehicles, machinery and building work can compact the soil or damage underground pipework, restricting the movement of wastewater.
- Plant grass or shallow-rooted vegetation: suitable planting can minimise soil erosion without deep roots interfering with drainage pipes.
- Direct rainwater elsewhere: water from gutters, downpipes and other surface drainage should be directed away from the drainage field. Additional water can saturate the ground and reduce its ability to absorb septic effluent.
- Check for signs of failure: pooling water, persistent odours, unusually wet ground and slow drainage can indicate that the drainage field is no longer working effectively.
- Manage excess water: high water usage and waterlogged ground can place additional pressure on the system. Reducing unnecessary water entering the septic tank and keeping surface water away from the drainage field can help prevent saturation.
Regular septic tank emptying also supports the drainage field by reducing the likelihood of excess solids leaving the tank and entering the pipework. If problems continue after the tank has been emptied, further investigation of the drainage field or wider system may be required.
Universal Tankers' Septic System Maintenance Services
Regular septic tank emptying helps maintain a septic system by removing accumulated sludge and sewage waste before it reduces capacity or contributes to blockages and overflows.
At Universal Tankers, we provide septic tank emptying for domestic and commercial properties across England and Scotland, with guaranteed next-day service nationwide.
Customers responsible for household systems can find further information about our domestic waste disposal and septic tank services. We can arrange one-off collections or flexible servicing schedules based on tank size, usage and maintenance requirements.
When we clean a septic tank, our vacuum tankers remove wastewater, sludge and sewage waste before transporting it to an appropriate authorised facility. As a registered waste carrier, we manage collected waste through suitable waste routes, enabling customers to meet their disposal responsibilities.
We can also support properties that require regular cesspit maintenance, with planned collections designed around the capacity and usage of the system.
With more than 20 years of experience in wastewater management, we provide a reliable service for routine and urgent septic tank requirements.
Contact Us for Expert Septic Waste Disposal
For a consultation or to schedule a service, please contact Universal Tankers today by calling 0800 180 4474 (England) or 01236 434422 (Scotland), or fill out the contact form on this page to arrange a time for us to call you back.
