One time Jon Allerton was asked to make a site visit to a farm in order to advise and quote for rectifying a septic tank problem. The farmers had said, in no uncertain terms, ”Do not go round the back because of the dogs! And don’t ring the doorbell ! Wait for me, I will be there at 3pm.”
After a wait of twenty minutes Mr. Allerton didn’t want to wait any longer. The man was late. Mr. Allerton was a busy man too and had other people to see afterwards.
He should have waited. He knew that. But a slow walk round the farm and cart shed would not do any harm, would it? He did hear dogs barking but lots of people in the countryside have dogs. While not a dog lover himself he recognised the need for dogs both as guard dogs and as companions.
There was no sign of a Septic Tank in the front or on the field side of the property. So he went back to the car to wait… after a few minutes Jon thought of driving to the next appointment. Still no sign so he did what anybody would do – get on with the job!
So he strode out with purpose through the barn and saw the narrow door with the old fashioned wooden latch. After lifting his finger through the hole in the door he was now in the back.
He saw two cars, one a Range Rover and a couple of manhole covers on the ground. He tried to ignore the dogs, by now barking loudly. One was an Alsation and the other a Rottweiler he realised as he stood by the tank and some distance from the door. He noticed, amid all the din, that the dog’s hairs on their necks were vertical.
”Don’t let them think you are afraid.” he thought. He walked a measured stride back to the door wondering whether he would actually make it.
The noise was now full on, like the saliva foaming from both dogs mouths. Just as he got to the door, it opened.
The farmer reached in and grabbed him by his shirt collar and dragged him into the cart shed. Shaken, but realising he was in the wrong he put on an air of relaxed calm.
The farmer, both annoyed and relieved, took Jon round to the other side where they could view the yard, the tank and the two furious dogs though an 8 foot high fence.
Jon learned a lesson that day, two lessons in fact. One is that Rottweilers can jump vertically 6 feet high in front of your face! The other lesson learned was that it is important to listen to what people say!
For those interested, he didn’t get the job!
FAQ
Q: Can I still make use of the septic tank if the soakaway has failed?
A: If it is GRP constructed you can. If it is brick, it will depend on sizes. You can still make use of the septic tank by installing a ConSept if it’s big enough. In order to fit a ConSept, the water level below the inlet level needs to be more than 1.1m. Also the volume of water needs to be more than 2 cubic metres. Read our page about septic tank soakaway problems for more info.
Q: How often does a septic tank need emptying?
A: As a rule, once a year for the average household. It depends on the size of the septic tank and how many people are using it. Two years is possible, depending on the size of the septic tank. If the frequency is more than once a year, it is usually because a soakaway has failed and that shouldn’t be happening. Check out this table about the pros and cons of septic tanks. Frequent emptying can be quite expensive. Read our page about septic tank soakaway problems for more info.
Q: Are there septic tanks that don’t need emptying?
A. No. All septic tanks should be emptied to protect the soakaway! Read the section about septic tank emptying on our Septic Tank and Soakaway Problems page for more information.
Q: Can rain water go into a septic tank?
A: NO, heavy rain can wash all the stored solids into the soakaway or ditch or block the ConSept.
Q: How do I test to see if rain water gets into the septic tank?
A:
1. You will need to establish what type of water is flowing through each manhole on the property.
2. You will need to work out where the water from the stormwater manholes flows to e.g. into a ditch or soakaway.
Lift the manhole covers and observe. Have someone flush the toilets, then run the taps for the shower, then bath, etc. The water coming from each of these sources is foul water. And if you see it flowing through the manhole, it is called a foul manhole.
Once you establish that it is a foul manhole, then check to see that no stormwater goes into any foul manhole. To check that, on a rainy day stand in the rain with nobody in the house and see if any water goes through each foul manhole. On a summers day you can squirt water into the gutter to imitate rainfall.
Afterwards, draw a plan of the property and show the foul manholes and pipes in red and the pipes and manholes for the stormwater in blue. This is also useful when you sell the house.
Q: Does shower water go into a septic tank?
A: Yes. All lavatory, showers, wash basins, sinks etc are classed as foul. These must go to the septic tank. Rain water must NOT go into the septic tank.
Q: Which type of septic tank is best?
A: The best ones are made from GRP, glass reinforced plastic or Polyethene. Concrete ring septic tanks are good but need two chambers.
Q: How long do plastic septic tanks last?
A: Polyethene and GRP septic tanks should last 20 years at least, providing they are emptied every year to protect the soakaway and the baffle.
Q: What is the alternative to a septic tank?
A: A Sewage Treatment Plant, a cesspool, or a reed bed. If there is no room for a soakaway then a cesspool is used. These are huge tanks and expensive to install and expensive to have emptied.
Q: How much does a 3 bedroom septic tank cost?
A: The smallest septic tank is good for a four bedroomed house. Costs £600 to £750 plus vat.
Q: How many loads of laundry can I do with a septic tank?
A: It is proportionate to the number of people in the house, so it doesn’t matter. However, a septic tank for just laundry is not a good fit. It needs anaerobic bacteria to break down the organic waste and to help break up the chemicals in washing products. Speak to Allerton for advice on this before installing!
Q: How do I know when my septic tank is full?
A: It’s difficult to gauge, so have it emptied every year. This will help lengthen the life of a soakaway. Check out our Septic Tank and Soakaway Problems page for more information.
Q: Is bleach bad for a septic tank?
A: Only if used excessively.
Q: Can you drive over a plastic septic tank?
A: Septic tanks are not meant to be driven over. However, if a reinforced raft is constructed and there is a small gap between the surface concrete and the tank, then it should be fine. Take professional advice.
Q: How much does a septic tank cost to replace?
Q: What happens if you never pump your septic tank?
A: You ruin the soakaway.
Q: Is a plastic septic tank better than concrete?
A: Just as good but often easier to install. A lot depends on ground conditions.
Q: How do I clean my septic tank naturally?
A: It should emptied regularly by a registered waste contractor. The mess inside the walls of the septic tank is actually full of bacteria and should be left alone. Do not hose it down!
Q: How often does a 1000 gallon septic tank need to be pumped?
Q: Should I buy a house with a septic tank?
A: Yes if the house is right in other regards. But, have it surveyed first. That is most essential.
Q: Does all waste water go to a septic tank?
A: All waste water does not have to go to a septic tank. It could go to a cesspool, a sewage treatment plant or a septic tank… or better still to the mains. 95% of sewage in the UK goes to the mains.
Q: How does a BioDisc septic tank work?
A: The term BioDisc refers to a Sewage Treatment Plant made by Klargester. It is not a septic tank. It can be discharged to the ditch without EA permission as it is an Exempt unit. It can also discharge to a soakaway if there is no ditch. Read the blog post Allerton Engineers at Work for more information about the BioDisc!