FAQs

Where a property is located in such a way that the natural forces of gravity will be unable to move its sewage to the main sewers, a sewer pump is a legal requirement to pump the sewage uphill and ensure its safe removal from the property in question.

Sewer pumps are built to deal with sewage that is likely to include some solids. A sump pump, on the other hand, will usually be used to clear water only, such as where there is basement flooding, in order to prevent water damage to a property.

Commercial sewer pumps are extremely robust and can last anywhere from five to fifteen years, depending on a number of factors. Residential sewer pumps tend to have shorter lives of between five and seven years.

No two jobs are the same, so we have different pumps to deal with the varying circumstances and situations that we’re presented with. The main tools we bring into operation are:

• Effluent pumps – for mainly waste water with limited solids
• Solid handling pumps – for sewage containing large quantities of solids
• Grinder pumps – for a property situated at a lower level than the sewer

A septic tank riser is a piece of piping attached to the access port of a septic tank. It allows easier access to the tank to make cleaning, emptying and other maintenance services more straightforward and less disruptive. A septic tank riser can also provide a visual reminder of where your tank is located.

We can usually provide a very rapid response, which could be within 24 hours in an emergency.

You can contact us by filling in our online form or giving us a call on 0808 175 0916. Just tell us about the service you require and we’ll arrange for one of our tankers to be with you as soon as we can manage it. If you need a fast response, you’ll usually be better off calling us.

Need a Tanker provides a nationwide service, so that we can deal with your liquid waste wherever you are in the country. You can find out more about where we work on our Areas Covered page.

Whether your insurance covers you for blocked drains will probably depend on what has caused the problem. If your drains have been blocked by things that should have gone into the bin (such as disposable nappies and wet wipes), then your insurance company is very unlikely to pay to get them cleared. If the blockage is a result of natural causes, such as subsidence or a collapsed drain, then the cost of rectifying it will probably be covered by your home insurance.

Before calling in a professional, try using a plunger or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and water to clear your drains. If that doesn’t work, get in touch with a reputable company that specialises in drain unblocking and clearance services.

There are a number of signs that your drain might be blocked. These include:

– Slow water drainage

– Bad smells and/or gurgling emanating from the drain

– Higher water level in your toilet

If you detect any of these signs, it is worth getting an expert in to assess the condition of your drains and recommend any necessary remedial action.

A professional drainage company such as Need a Tanker can both identify the cause of the problem, if it isn’t immediately obvious, and drain excess water from your basement. We offer our customers an emergency service, so if you discover flooding in your basement, don’t hesitate to get in touch. The longer you leave it, the more damage could be done to your property.

A basement can be flooded as a result of extreme weather, such as melting snow or a flash flood, a broken sump pump, poor drainage or as a result of an internal issue such as a burst pipe. Whatever the cause, you need to make sure that the issue is dealt with promptly.

A flooded basement can cause long-term issues both to the structural integrity of the property and potentially to the health of any occupants. Dealing with it as a matter of urgency is essential. Call in a professional drainage company that can use the latest and most effective equipment to remedy the situation.

If the ground around your septic tank system becomes boggy and smells, this is a sign that your tank is full and in urgent need of emptying. Get in touch with us as soon as you can and we’ll get a tanker to you at the first opportunity to get the matter dealt with.

There are a number of things that you want to avoid getting into your septic tank, including chemicals, bleach, paint and detergents, which can interfere with the bacteria needed to break down the waste. You should also avoid washing items like nappies, cat litter, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, sanitary pads and paper towels into your septic tank, all of which should be disposed of with your general waste.

The liquid waste from most properties goes into a communal sewage system that takes it directly to a treatment centre. Homes and commercial premises that have been built away from the existing sewage system – usually in remote or rural areas – might need a septic tank for their wastewater so that it can be collected and disposed of safely.

Other than avoiding the middle of winter, when the ground might be frozen and access to your tank difficult, there are no particular times of the year that are better than others. Having said that, if your tank is getting full ahead of the times of the year when rainstorms are more common, such as spring and summer, it might be better to get it emptied beforehand to reduce the potential for it to overflow. Having your tank emptied ahead of the hotter summer period may also reduce the potential for bad smells.

No. Because what needs to be removed from a septic tank counts as hazardous waste, it must be disposed of according to strict regulations by a licensed operator such as Need a Tanker. Trying to do it yourself would not only be illegal but might also put you, others and the environment at severe risk of contamination.