Frequently asked questions

Here is a short list of our frequently asked questions, if you can't find the answer to your question please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Do you accept card payments?

Yes, we accept all major debit and credit cards over the phone. Many of our customers also choose to make payment via bacs or cheque.

Can I set up a regular emptying?

Yes, a regular standing order is very easy to set up and we even offer a reduced rate for you to do so! All that is needed is a quick phone call or e-mail to our office and our friendly staff will be able to help discuss your specific needs and arrange a schedule that suits you. We can simply attend site on your requested timescale to carry out the empty or we can give you a quick call to arrange a date every time your tank is due to be emptied.

Do I need to be at home when you carry out your visit?

The simple answer to this is no. We can carry out any emptying task as long as we can gain access to the sewage tank. We pride ourselves on the level of trust our customers have in us and we aim to always re-pay that trust with the level of service we provide.

What signs can I look out for to know when my sewage tank needs emptying?

Many signs are available to you to indicate when your sewage tank needs emptying without the dreaded task of lifting the lid! You may experience odours in or outside your property. The sink, toilets, baths etc. may start to drain very slowly or not at all. Puddles of grey water may start to form in your garden. The manholes at the property may have backed up and begun to overflow. These are all strong indications that your sewage tank needs to be emptied.

How often does my cesspit need emptying?

The frequency that your cesspit requires emptying varies from property to property, due to a multitude of factors such as size of tank, the number of occupants utilising the system and whether the rainwater from the property is directed into the cesspit. With studies suggesting that every person uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water a day, it’s unsurprising how quickly your cesspit can require emptying!

How often does my septic tank need emptying?

The frequency that your septic tank requires emptying varies from property to property, due to a multitude of factors such as size of tank, household occupants and the permeability of the surrounding ground. However, we at Clearmasters Environmental believe that a septic tank benefits from a de-sludge once per year as a minimum measure to avoid solids building up in your system. If the percentage of solid content in your tank is too high, it will begin to exit your septic tank and enter your soakaway or drainage field. If this happens it will begin to have a negative effect on the performance of your drainage field which will eventually end in your system failing causing damage to the surrounding environment and a costly bill for a new drainage field to be installed.

How often does my sewage treatment plant need emptying?

The frequency of an empty (otherwise known as a de-sludge) of your sewage treatment plant, like the other systems can vary dependent upon a multitude of factors such as size of tank, household occupants and whether your treatment plant is functioning effectively. We would usually advise a visit 1-2 times per year to remove the sludge from the primary chamber to allow the system to continue to produce a clean final effluent sample to enter its drainage field or water course.

Do I need to have my sewage treatment plant serviced?

Yes, we believe it is extremely important to carry out regular sewage treatment plant maintenance to ensure the plant continues to function to its optimum and that the quality of the final effluent has minimal impact on the environment. There are many mechanical parts to your system which require maintenance to avoid large costs involved in replacement.

I share my sewage tank with my neighbour, is this a problem?

Not at all! It is a very common scenario that we come across and we are very adept at dealing with these situations. We can communicate effectively with all neighbours to arrange visits. We can split invoices as desired to make things as simple as possible. However, if you wish to separate from your neighbours we are able to provide an estimate to install your very own sewage system at your property.

I had my septic tank pumped out last week, why is it full again?

Septic tanks are designed to work at a certain level, so within a very short space of time will fill up to its outlet level. The solid content will then settle to the bottom of the chamber and the liquid will continue to exit the tank. It is once these solids have built up in the tank that your sewage plant will require emptying again.

How quickly after I call can you empty my sewage tank?

We will always try to accommodate your emptying within 1 to 2 days of your call at a time and date that is convenient to you. We do however recommend arranging a scheduled emptying in advance where possible to secure your visit. But when this is not an option, we offer a 24/7 emergency service to ensure we are always on hand to avoid any environmental disasters!

Will I really save money by maintaining my system?

Yes! We like to compare it to the maintenance of a car, if you have your car regularly serviced it is likely to last a lot longer than a car that isn’t serviced. This same rule applies with your sewage system! A system that is regularly emptied and serviced where required at a small cost will save you thousands of pounds in avoiding the costs of buying a new sewage system!

What areas do you cover for sewage tank emptying?

Clearmasters (environmental) ltd cover the whole of the South East of England. We have liquid waste disposal tankers available across the whole of Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London. If you are outside any of these areas please feel free to contact our office to check if we are able to cover your area.

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01737 842509Out of Hours: 07747 350278 info@clearmasters.co.uk