Septic tank problems in Cambridgeshire can be the cause of various issues for homeowners with some of the most common problems being associated with odour nuisance, flooding or causing pollution in ditches and streams.  However, the most common septic tank problem we come across in Cambridgeshire is where the existing septic tank is flooding due to the receiving soakaway failing.

Septic tanks in Cambridgeshire can be in the form of a traditionally built tank from either brick or concrete, or in the form of a prefabricated tank.  Problems can be experienced with all types of septic tank, and all septic tanks are designed to promote the growth of anaerobic micro-organisms which partially degrade the receiving waste water.

Did you know that the cost to resolve your septic tank problems may be covered by your existing buildings insurance policy?

Problems associated with septic tanks can sometimes be due to systems being damaged in some way.  In these instances it may possible that the damage to the septic tank may be covered under the homeowners insurance policy, with an insurance claim being applicable to cover the cost of any remedial works.  Mantair works in partnership with the UK’s leading drainage insurance claims management company to offer our customers a unique insurance claims management service throughout Cambridgeshire and surrounding Counties. Providing expertise in managing insurance claims for the costs of repairing or replacing damaged drainage systems, we work on behalf of property owners across Cambridgeshire, helping them to save thousands of pounds in resolving their septic tank problems.  Read more

Call our team today regarding any septic tank problems you may have on 01255 853890.

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Common Septic Tank Problems Explained.

The process within a septic tank is called ‘anaerobic digestion’ which reduces the sludge volume.  During the digestion process methane, hydrogen sulphide and other gases are produced and these gases can in some cases cause a serious odour nuisance.

Septic tanks should be correctly vented to allow the noxious gases to escape to the atmosphere.

Can my septic tank discharge to a ditch, stream or river?

The effluent from a septic tank is disposed of to a drainage field / soakaway. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to discharge to a ditch, stream or river.  Such a discharge is an offence under the Public Health and Water Resources Acts and renders the offender liable to prosecution by the Statutory Authorities.

In many parts of Cambridgeshire it is common to find older septic tanks discharging direct to a watercourse.  This is mainly due to septic tanks being installed in areas where the ground conditions do not favour a soakaway system, and as a result the original soakaway has been extended to a nearby watercourse.  No matter how long a septic tank has been discharging to a ditch or any other watercourse, it is still an offence!

Septic tanks can be upgraded into sewage treatment plants by installing a Mantair conversion unit which complies with the requirements of an Environment Agency Permit.

My septic tank is flooding?

There are many reasons which may cause a septic tank to flood and these can range from something as a simple as an outlet ‘dip pipe’ being blocked to more serious problems involving the receiving soakaway system.

The effluent level inside a septic tank should be at the level of the outlet pipe.  In some instances either the inlet or outlet pipes for a septic tank can become blocked with materials such as fat or tissue.  If the inlet ‘dip pipe’ becomes blocked this would result in the foul drainage to the tank flooding, and this is more common in older traditionally built septic tanks.  If the outlet ‘dip pipe’ becomes blocked this would result in both the septic tank and incoming foul drainage pipe work flooding.  In some cases it is only necessary to clear the blockage with drainage rods.

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The most common cause for a septic tank flooding in Cambridgeshire is due to the receiving soakaway and not the septic tank.  If a soakaway fails and prevents the effluent from percolating through the ground this will result in the soakaway, septic tank and the foul drainage pipe work surcharging.  Septic tank soakaways can fail for a number of reasons and these include:

Ground Conditions

The soakaway being constructed in ground conditions which are non-permeable such as sandy clay, silt clay and clay.  This would result in the effluent that discharges to the soakaway filling the soakaway and subsequent flooding of the septic tank, or potentially effluent bursting out of the ground causing a health hazard.

It is important that the percolation characteristics of the ground are suitable in both summer and winter months.  To identify whether the ground conditions are suitable for a drainage field / soakaway and to determine the size required it is necessary to conduct a Percolation Test. Without the results of a Percolation Test there is no way of knowing the size of drainage field / soakaway required or if this disposal method would indeed work.

Natural Water Table

The drainage field / soakaway being under the natural water table.  This can often be the cause for septic tank soakaway systems failing during winter months only.  When a drainage field / soakaway is operating underneath the natural water table the septic tank, soakaway and foul drainage pipework will be at the same level as the surrounding water table and as a result the flooding within the system can be moderate or severe.

Root Ingress

The drainage field / soakaway being constructed in close proximity to trees and shrubs.  Roots of trees and shrubs planted too close to a drainage field / soakaway can enter the drainage pipe work and block the pipes.  Root ingress into drainage fields / soakaways is the cause of many systems blocking and as a result flooding of the septic tank system.

Physical Damage

In some cases a septic tank can flood due to the receiving soakaway pipe work becoming damaged and broken.  This can often be due to heavy machinery moving over the soakaway and crushing the pipes.  Older ‘but-jointing’ soakaway systems were constructed using clay wear pipes and it is common for these clay wear pipes to become dislodged due to ground movement, resulting in soil entering the pipe work and blocking the soakaway.

Increase in Flow

A septic tank and the receiving drainage field / soakaway are designed to cater for a certain volume of flow per day.  If the flow being discharged to a septic tank increases and the tank is not designed for this additional flow then problems can be experienced with both the septic tank and drainage field / soakaway system.

Sodium Binding

Excessive use of detergent based products i.e. dishwasher tablets, washing powders etc. will lead to eventual failure of the soakaway.  This is caused by a process called sodium binding where the sodium present in detergents cause any silt or clay particles in the sub soil to bind together to form am impervious layer.  The same effect occurs if a water softener is present as the softened water will have relatively high sodium content.

Age of the Soakaway

Older drainage fields / soakaways can fail due to a build-up of sludge solids.  The level of sludge solids passing through the septic tank are due to a number of reasons, including size of the tank, nature of the waste water and emptying frequency.

Septic tank failure

There are various reasons why septic tanks fail and some of the most common causes are as follows:

Septic tank baffled collapsed

Within most prefabricated septic tanks are internal baffles or cones which are designed to prevent solids and floating material from passing through the tank.  In some instances baffles and cones can collapse resulting in solids and floating material passing through the tank and into the soakaway network.

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Prefabricated tanks can also implode if there is substantial ground movement around the tank or if the tank hasn’t been installed using the correct back-fill material.  If these tanks are not back-filled with concrete this can result in flotation of the tank especially when a tank is emptied during wet weather periods.

Mantair offers a unique insurance claims management service to our customers throughout Cambridgeshire for situations where an existing septic tank baffle has collapse or where the tank has imploded or split.

Traditionally Built Tanks

One of the most common failures on traditionally built septic tanks in Cambridgeshire is when the dip pipes fall away from the inlet or outlet pipes.  This can sometimes occur when the septic tank is emptied.

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Concrete septic tanks can crack and leak allowing ground water ingress.  If groundwater enters a septic tank this can result in flooding of the soakaway.  Excessive water ingress into a septic tank would result in sludge solids passing through the tank and into the soakaway, resulting in failure of the soakaway.

Mantair are able to identify whether the damage to your septic tank might be covered by your insurance policy.

Potential problems for Septic Tanks

Excessive draining of cooking oils and grease can cause the inlet drains to block.  Oils and grease are difficult to degrade and can cause difficulties with the emptying. Disposing of non-biodegradable items such as nappies and baby wipes will rapidly clog the septic tank and these items should not be discharged to the tank at any point. Certain chemicals should not be discharged to septic tanks, including pesticides, herbicides, paint, solvents or high levels of bleach.

Septic tank failure signs

  • Drain or sewage backup;
  • Discharge of effluent to surface or watercourse;
  • Effluent level above the septic tank inlet;
  • Septic tank being emptied frequently;
  • Depression area over the septic tank or soakaway.
Septic tank solutions

As detailed throughout this page, there are various reasons for septic tank problems throughout Cambridgeshire.  The solution will depend on a number of factors and it is advisable that professional advice is sought prior to any remedial works taking place.

Mantair has been solving septic tank problems in Cambridgeshire for over two decades and continues to be the market leader in septic tank upgrades and conversions throughout the UK.

If you require assistance with a septic tank problem or have a requirement for a new sewage treatment plant, call our team today to receive a free site visit on 01255 853890.