SEPTIC TANK EMPTYING, CLEANING & INSPECTION

For your system to work properly we would recommend that you should have your tank cleaned at least every one to two years.

There are some key factors which influence this though:

1. Consider the size of your Septic Tank – tanks can only hold a certain amount of waste
2. Usage – how many people live in your house.
3. What goes into your tank – what you flush, this may cause blockages that need to be addressed.

Arranging a septic tank clean can be an easy thing to forget. The tanks are buried, after all, out of sight, out of mind!  Our team can provide maintenance reminders to ensure you never forget when the tank is due to emptying.

1. To protect against blocked toilets and drains, or waking up to a foul smelling and an expensive septic tank failure/repair bill.
2. Environment – cleaning your tank ensures your family and neighbours are protected from contaminants flowing into groundwater/wells – if your tank starts to backup.
3. Regular maintenance make sures that your septic tank or biocycle unit gives you years of trouble free service.

No, septic tank cleaning or de-sludging is considered routine maintenance and as such would not be covered under Home Insurance.

• Weak flushing / back up in the toilets or sinks emptying / draining slowly
• Bad odours outside or coming from your drains inside the house
• Drain Blockages
• Waste Water backing up
• Overflowing wastewater on your lawn / surrounding surface area

Hosing length – Estimate the distance from where our lorry will be parked to your septic tank
This is to ensure the technician brings enough hosing to reach your tank. If your tank is more than 50metres (165 feet) away from where a lorry could park from your tank, let us know. This would require additional hosing to be brought to site.

Your driveway width – Measure / Estimate the width of your lorry to get into your driveway
To ensure our lorries can safely enter into your driveway – we would need approx. 9 feet (2.7 metres) of a width of gate/driveway to get in.

Ensure all manhole covers are exposed
If they are covered, you must dig the earth around the lids to expose them. A full service cannot be done through the ventilation pipes.

Did you know when you are selling your home you are required to have your Septic Tank in working order and advised to have the same emptied for the new purchaser.  McBreen Environmental can provide you with a certified waste disposal certificate to provide to the new owners.

If you are unsure when your Septic Tank was last cleaned, or have recently moved into a new home McBreen Environmental can complete a Septic Tank Clean or Desludging service to ensure you don’t run into issues with your Septic Tank.

1. Cleaning and maintaining your Septic Tank or Biocycle helps protect you and your pocket. If you do not maintain your Septic Tank or Biocycle it may be necessary to replace or repair it, which may cost a lot of money.
2. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater and therefore your well. It may also result in ponding of waste/effluent, which will pose a risk of disease to children and form odours.
3. Your Septic Tank or Biocycle should be inspected, cleaned or de-sludged regularly, at least every 1-2 years.
4. As a homeowner you are responsible under the Water Services Act for cleaning & maintaining your Septic Tank or Biocycle. Fines of up to €5,000 could be imposed if your tank fails an inspection or if your septic tank contaminates groundwater.
5. When properly designed, installed and maintained, your Septic Tank or Biocycle can provide long-term, effective treatment of wastewater.

For more information on the Waste Water Inspection Plan for Ireland – you view details on Code of Practice for Waste Water Treatment Systems for Single Houses at the link provided.