CCTV Drain Surveys and Cesspit Emptying in Horsham, Haywards Heath and the South
| FAQs

P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd is the name to trust for liquid waste management services in the South of England. Established in 1983, we’ve grown to become one of the most reputable independent companies in our field, and in our operating region. Our company builds close relationships with customers and clients by fulfilling its promises, and by always maintaining transparency over services and price.

Our septic tank installers, sewage treatment plant installers and company professionals specialise in the following:

This page answers some of the most common questions received from our domestic and commercial customer base. You might also find the information you need in our user guides.

Where is your company located?

P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd has a main operating centre in Dunsfold, Surrey, and a satellite operating centre in Cuckfield, West Sussex. This leaves us well placed to cover key service areas across the South of England, including Andover, Basingstoke, Brighton, Brockenhurst, Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Epsom, Godstone, Guildford, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lewes, Lymington, Lyndhurst, New Forest, Petersfield, Redhill, Reigate, Ringwood, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Southampton, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Winchester, Windsor and Woking.

What are your core services?

Customers can use us for cesspit emptying and septic tank emptying, and also for sewage treatment plant maintenance services, sewage systems, and septic tank repairs. If you need a company of cesspit or septic tank installers, or if you would like us to supply and fit the latest Clenviro Matrix STP system, we can help with that too.

We can even perform CCTV drain surveys as part of an ongoing surveillance service that helps to keep installations and drainage systems in the best possible condition.

Can you accept card payments?

Yes. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd can take credit and debit card payments over the telephone. After completing a service at your home or business, we dispatch an invoice by email within a few days of our visit.

Can I organise a regular visit for emptying?

Yes. We can arrange cesspit emptying and septic tank emptying at intervals to suit your sewage and wastewater output. Weekly, monthly, biannually or yearly, we’ll help you to identify the appropriate emptying interval for your installation and schedule you in for a regular visit.

We can also arrange scheduled sewage treatment plant maintenance visits for sewage systems in Andover, Basingstoke, Brighton, Brockenhurst, Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Epsom, Godstone, Guildford, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lewes, Lymington, Lyndhurst, New Forest, Petersfield, Redhill, Reigate, Ringwood, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Southampton, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Winchester, Windsor, Woking or to any other location across the South of England, should you need them.

Do I have to be home when you come to visit?

No, not at all. So long as our engineers and operatives can access your cesspit, septic tank or sewage treatment plant, you’re free to carry on with your day. We’ll take care of everything else.

How will I know if my installation needs emptying?

The most common indication is an unpleasant odour. Your system may also have an alarm that notifies you when it is full to capacity.

How do you deal with shared tanks?

If you have shared responsibility for a cesspit or a septic tank, we will provide an emptying service as normal and then split the invoice after each visit, or we’ll send a full invoice to each shared owner over alternative visits.

How do cesspits work?

Modern cesspits are underground tanks which come in a range of shapes and sizes. They have inspection covers to provide access for emptying. If you have an older cesspit, it might have a brick design. Newer cesspits come in lightweight designs but still use robust materials, like fibreglass or polypropylene.

Cesspits are sealed tanks which collect liquid waste from toilets, sinks, baths and showers. They do not discharge any liquid, which means they need emptying more often.

How often will I need my cesspit emptying?

Cesspit emptying intervals vary based on the size of the property, the size of the tank, the number of people in the property, how often people bath or shower, and how often they use appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines.

A typical cesspit emptying cycle is around 4 to 6 weeks, but it can be longer if you generate less sewage and wastewater.

Is there anything I can do to care for my cesspit?

Yes. Pre-book for regular cesspit emptying with P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd. This means that, in addition to clearing your tank of liquid waste, we can also check its condition. As a home or business owner, we urge you to never let flammable liquids enter the tank, and that you keep the inspection cover clear from overgrowth to allow easier access for our technicians.

Cesspits are easy to manage, but keep in mind that a leak will cause pollution. Always respond quickly to suspected leaks by calling us on 01483 200336. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd offers an emergency service on a 24/7 basis, 365 days of the year.

How do septic tanks work?

Unlike cesspits, septic tanks use a basic treatment process to discharge an effluent. They have at least two chambers, the first of which collects liquid waste and holds it over 1 or 2 days. In this time, bacteria attack floating solids, greases and oils. Solid waste settles at the bottom and the treated wastewater rises before dispersing into a second chamber.

Smaller suspended solids settle in the second chamber while the rest of the wastewater disperses from the tank and into a drainage field (also referred to as a soakaway).

How often will I need my septic tank emptying?

Septic tank emptying intervals, like those for cesspits, vary based on sizes and usage levels. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd recommends that you book in for emptying annually as a minimum, although we do recognise that some properties across the region will have exceptionally low usage levels and will need to have their tanks emptied less frequently.

Our septic tank installers have septic tank repairs as well as cesspit and septic tank emptying services available in Andover, Basingstoke, Brighton, Brockenhurst, Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Epsom, Godstone, Guildford, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lewes, Lymington, Lyndhurst, New Forest, Petersfield, Redhill, Reigate, Ringwood, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Southampton, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Winchester, Windsor, Woking and in all surrounding locations across the South.

I have worries over liquid waste management. Can you help?

Yes. It’s understandable that you feel a little apprehensive over something you don’t have full control over. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd works closely with you to not only identify your needs and requirements, but to also help you establish a regular servicing, maintenance and emptying plan.

We’ll inform you on all the following:


Call P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd and we will pay a personal visit to your property, consult as necessary and provide all the extra advice you need.

Can you help me to maintain my drainage system?

Yes. There are many good reasons to monitor the condition of your drainage system. The most important of these is the impact damaged pipework can have on your home, your business and, of course, your pocket. Keeping on top of things makes good sense because, as they say, prevention is always better than cure. In our experience, it is usually less costly too.

We perform CCTV drain surveys using equipment from Scanprobe Technologies. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd records digital footage from a locally controlled camera, introduced into your drainage system at the available access points. Our technicians capture this footage using above-ground monitors.

CCTV drain surveys give us clear indications on the condition of your drainage system, helping us to identify the need for any remedial repairs. Innovative CCTV equipment helps us to find instances of blockages, intrusions and collapses within sewage systems.

Can you clear drain blockages?

Yes. P.J. Cole (Southern) Ltd uses high-pressure jet washing equipment to clear blocked drains and pipework. This system is the quickest, most economical way to clear blocked drains, and to clean the pipework walls of deposits, debris, greases and fats. High-pressure jetting is efficient and cost-effective.

Can you install sewage treatment plants?

Yes. We are approved installers of Clenviro Matrix systems. These sewage treatment plants offer a high-usage alternative to cesspits and septic tanks. They comply with current regulations set by the Environment Agency, and with BS EN 12566-3 standards to make them CE certified.

The single tank design has up to a 300-person capacity but, because the Clenviro Matrix system has modular capabilities, we can install to meet demand from more than 5,000 people.

Do you offer sewage treatment plant maintenance services too?

Yes, we do. We visit properties in Andover, Basingstoke, Brighton, Brockenhurst, Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Epsom, Godstone, Guildford, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lewes, Lymington, Lyndhurst, New Forest, Petersfield, Redhill, Reigate, Ringwood, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Southampton, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Winchester, Windsor, Woking and the South to service and maintain sewage treatment plants. We can maintain our own installations, or those supplied to you by another company. Typically, we will visit your property once every year.

Sewage treatment plant maintenance is essential because systems have working components. Much like a car, parts in sewage treatment plants wear down prematurely if you don’t book in for servicing and maintenance often enough.

For cesspit emptying and septic tank emptying services in Haywards Heath, Horsham and Southern England, call 01483 200336.
CONTACTS

TELEPHONE:
01483 200336

ADDRESS:
Frys Cross Farm, Knightons Lane,
Dunsfold, Godalming,
Surrey, GU8 4NY


E-MAIL:
mail@pjcole.com