Cesspit Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Your local specialists in cesspits & cesspool installation, maintenance & repair.
Our qualified off-mains drainage specialists deliver expert cesspit installation, repair and maintenance services across the south.
WHAT IS A CESSPIT?
A cesspit is a sealed underground holding tank designed to receive and store foul waste water. The disadvantage with a cesspit is that the only way to remove the waste is with a suction tanker. This means that they can be very expensive to maintain, leading the homeowner to be very cautious about the amount of water they use. Cesspits are generally installed by the house builder, as at the time of construction there were no other options available to manage the property’s foul waste water. This makes them very different to Sewage Treatment Plants and Septic Tanks, as they require much more frequent empties due to their limited capacity/function in comparison.
Cesspits are generally constructed of brick or fibreglass. They are very large in size and volume in order to give around 2 to 3 months storage between empties. Due to their size theyca be expensive to install. One main benefit of a cesspit is that they do not require a discharge permit and do not fall under the General Binding Rules.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CESSPITS AND SEPTIC TANKS
A cesspit is the most basic form of off-mains drainage. Cesspits are sealed underground holding tanks, with no separate chambers or filters. Unlike sewage treatment plants and septic tanks, cesspits do not treat waste water in any way – they simply store it. As a result, frequent cesspit maintenance and emptying is required, and the only way to remove the waste is with a suction tanker. Cesspits are usually installed by the house builder when no other option is available to manage the property’s sewage and waste water at the time of construction.
The most common materials for cesspit construction are brick or fibreglass, and they can be extremely large in size and volume. Their large size is necessary to give around two to three months of waste storage between empties. Due to their size, cesspit installation can be expensive – but cesspits do have advantages and use cases over septic tanks.
Cesspits do not process waste water or drain it away and as such, they do not fall under the General Binding Rules or require a discharge permit. This means they can be installed anywhere as long as there is sufficient space for cesspit construction. Their bare-bones simplicity means that there’s very little to go wrong – but cesspit problems can arise if they’re not properly installed, if they’re ageing or if they are not regularly emptied and maintained.
CESSPIT PROBLEMS?
With our decades of experience in cesspit repair and maintenance Independent Drainage can help you tackle your cesspit problems.
GET A FREE CESSPIT CONSULTATION
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH CESSPITS ARE:
CESSPIT LEAKING
Leaking cesspits can cause serious problems, because they are often installed in areas where there is a high water table. A leaking cesspit that allows sewage water to escape into the surrounding ground will cause pollution and environmental damage, as well as bad smells and the risk of contaminating your property.
In addition, a leak can allow groundwater inside the tank, which results in more frequent cesspit emptying.
Cesspits can leak for a number of reasons. We have encountered poorly installed cesspits that have been placed too close to large trees. Tree root growth can cause serious damage to the walls of the cesspit, leading to leaks and total failure.
We’ve even seen cesspits installed without the correct concrete surround, which makes them susceptible to damage from ground movement, weight loading or smaller plants causing root ingress.
Independent Drainage have decades of experience in cesspit repair and maintenance. Speak to one of our experts today. To speak to one of our experts today, you can get in touch here.
CESSPITS AT HERITAGE PROPERTIES
Ageing cesspits at heritage properties can be troublesome – especially if you’ve purchased an older building without carrying out an adequate drainage survey. Old cesspits most commonly suffer from a lack of maintenance and are often in need of repair or replacement.
Regular cesspit emptying and servicing is essential: without regular empties, cesspits develop cracks and punctures which lead to underground leaks. Leaking cesspits can cause unpleasant smells – but because they deal with all waste water (including kitchen sink, bath and shower waste), they’re often filled with chemicals from cleaning products, too. These can cause serious environmental harm to local wildlife and to residents, so cesspit repair should be treated as an urgent matter.
If you’re experiencing cesspit problems, get in touch with us now.
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