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Septic Tank Problems and Solutions

How a septic tank works

Most septic tanks only offer about 40-50% processing of waste water from your property. They often involve a multi chamber tank. The waste falls into the first tank with the heavier solid material falling to the bottom, a crust will form on the top and only the cleanest water is allowed to enter the second chamber.

What are the typical problems a septic tank can encounter?

Most septic tanks will, at some point in their life encounter problems. If your septic tank has a problem it has to be addressed quickly and correctly because it will either be discharging poorly treated effluent to the environment or it will cost you a lot in emptying costs.

The signs of a problem with your septic tank or soakaway are:

Bad Smells

Bad smells from your septic tank can often indicate that the waste from your house is not being treated correctly. This can be because the bacteria in the septic tank has died or is being starved of oxygen.

• Water backing up into the septic tank

This can indicate that the soakaway attached to your septic tank is blocked, septic tanks often do not offer enough treatment to remove suspended solid material in the water. Over time these suspended solids can clog the porous ground in the soakaway and block it.

• Water lying at ground level near the soakaway

This is an indication that the soakaway has blocked, if this has recently developed then it is likely that the septic tank has failed and poor quality water has blocked the soakaway. The problem is often the septic tank rather than the soakaway itself.  If it is only in the winter then you may have very clay soil or a high water table. This is a problem for septic tanks because there is no water movement. Bacteria can die and you will be faced with water spilling out or backing up into the septic tank.

What can be done if your septic tank has a problem?

If your septic tank has a problem there are a number of solutions. The best solution is obviously to replace it with a modern sewage treatment system, the water will be much cleaner (95% processing rather than 40-50%) which will stop the risk of the soakaway blocking.

REWATEC UK are based on the Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire border and have specialists throughout the country. We use a high strength tank the requires no concrete to be installed. The tanks can be installed with very little disruption, and are alot cheaper than GRP tanks, that require a concrete surround.

Often the tank can be installed within a day and with our specialist team we can usually have the system up and running within 2 – 3 days.

If needed the outlet can be directed to more porous ground and you can feel safe in the knowledge that your waste is not being harmful to the environment.

Please see our product film for a full description of how our unique sewage treatment system works and please contact us directly for information on installing a new system- 01844 238702/238111

However if a new system can not be installed it may be possible to upgrade or even retrofit a treatment element to the septic tank.

Upgrading a Septic tank

If there is a good single tank it is often possible to attach a separate tank with an intelligent Fluido Processing unit. By using a high grade 8mm thick rotationally moulded PE tank you will avoid the need for concrete to install the tank. This is a big cost saving! The sewage in your septic tank will be drawn in batches into the reactor tank where it mixes with the oxygen fed bacteria and after a 6 hour settlement period it will be pumped out. As it is pumped out in batches even if there is a high water table, the outlet and soakaway can be brought higher, avoiding the risk of water backing up into the tank.

If you have a brick build multi chambered septic tank that is watertight and of good size, it may be possible to retrofit the fluido cleansing unit into the septic tank itself, and use the latter chamber as the reactor tank. This can only be done upon inspection of the septic tank and only by a qualified Rewatec technician. Please consult us if you feel this could be possible - 01844 238702/238111.