If you have a cesspit or a septic tank and feel you might have a problem, our checklist could give you an indication as to what might be wrong. It’s easy to forget about underground sewage systems because they run so faultlessly. Indeed, for many of our customers in Lewes, issues tend to be unexpected. Here at P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd, we help you get to the heart of the problem with a full inspection and repair service.
This blog post contains a basic checklist of common faults. It also serves as an early indicator that you might need to book in with us for cesspit or septic tank repairs.
So, what should you look for, or smell for, with faulty systems? At above-ground level, a problem can show itself in a variety of different ways. Toilets take longer to flush, pipes gurgle, water pools around tanks and soakaways, or it can spill from manhole covers. The odd smell is probably nothing to worry about, but persistent whiffs indicate that you might have a much bigger problem to deal with.
P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd can undertake cesspit and septic tank repairs across a wide range of branded installations.
It might seem obvious, but some property owners won’t consider the tank being full if they are used to having it emptied at set intervals. On smaller underground sewage systems in Lewes, even a slight increase in household use fills the tank that much sooner. If you suspect your installation might have reached capacity, call us and arrange to have it emptied.
If you don’t, waste can back up into the home and the wrong kind of effluent could disperse through the soakaway.
Most cesspit and septic tank repairs are the result of foreign objects and contaminants. Sewage and drainage systems can block if a homeowner flushes anything but toilet paper. If antibacterial wipes, cotton buds or even cooking oils end up in the toilet, it can cause a pipework blockage. Contaminants also impact the tank and make it harder for the system to process solid waste.
The result is usually an expensive repair bill for our customers, and subsequent issues with the drainage field.
If you aren’t connected to the main sewage system and things with your cesspit or septic tank stop working as they should, check to see if there are any utility works happening nearby. It isn’t unusual for sewage systems to extend beyond property boundaries and, if somebody else has excavation or groundworks projects in progress nearby, it could impact you as well.
Also, check that manholes in and around your Lewes home have covers in place and are not physically overflowing.
Age, abuse and a lack of maintenance can result in damage and leave you in need of cesspit or septic tank repairs. Pooled water around a soakaway, or an excess of groundwater around the tank’s location, could point to deterioration. Tree roots and movement in the ground from heavy traffic can have an impact on your system and both will lead to unwelcome damage.
Always use a professional company – such as P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd – to inspect sewage and drainage systems in Lewes. Never attempt to inspect or enter a tank yourself. We hope this blog post helps you in identifying possible issues.
TELEPHONE:
01483 200336
ADDRESS:
Frys Cross Farm, Knightons Lane,
Dunsfold, Godalming,
Surrey, GU8 4NY
E-MAIL:
mail@pjcole.com
