Septic Tank Emptying
Regular emptying of domestic and commercial septic tanks across Cornwall. Whoever does it must be a registered waste carrier. Most standard tanks take under an hour.
From £150Diagnosing a drainage issue, or buying a property and want to know what's below ground? A CCTV drain survey gives you a clear picture. Here's what one involves, what it typically costs in Cornwall, and what the written report should cover.
A CCTV drain survey sends a waterproof camera through your drainage system, showing exactly what's happening below ground. It's the cheapest and quickest way to diagnose drainage problems, septic tank issues, and to inspect drains before buying a property.
Common reasons to commission a survey:
Surveys typically cost £150–£250 for a standard domestic property. The specialist provides a video recording and a written report identifying issues with severity grading. For homebuyers, this report is a useful addition to a standard property survey — Cornish properties on septic tanks especially benefit.
We’re an independent guide, not a septic tank company. These are the honest options; pick whichever suits you.
Anyone who takes septic tank waste away must be a registered waste carrier. Whichever local firm you find, look it up on the Environment Agency’s public register before you book.
Ask for the firm’s waste carrier registration and check it, get a written price that says what’s included (disposal, hose length, access), and ask for a waste transfer note once the job is done.
Leave your details and we’ll try to introduce you to one local septic tank firm covering your postcode. We’re still looking for local firms to work with, so we may not have one for your area yet. We’ll tell you who before sharing anything, and septic tank firms may pay us for introductions.
Whatever else is going on below ground at your Cornwall property, here’s what each job involves and what it typically costs. Or stick with CCTV drain surveys — your call.
Regular emptying of domestic and commercial septic tanks across Cornwall. Whoever does it must be a registered waste carrier. Most standard tanks take under an hour.
From £150Full cesspit pump-outs for sealed systems. Cesspits need emptying far more often than septic tanks, so the running cost adds up.
From £120New septic tank or treatment plant installation, fully compliant with the General Binding Rules 2020. Survey, install, commission: what a full job includes.
From £3,000Tank backing up, soakaway saturated, weird smells in the garden? Diagnosis via CCTV, then repair or replace: how to decide.
From £150 (survey)Blocked or slow-running drains cleared fast using high-pressure jetting. From kitchen sinks to main sewer lines.
From £80Camera inspections to diagnose blockages, root ingress, collapsed pipes, and drainage issues before they become expensive problems. A written report should be part of it.
From £150Prices depend on tank size, access, and your exact location. These are guides, not quotes: always get a written price before work starts.
Standard domestic tank (up to 2,700L). Price varies by access and distance.
Sealed cesspit pump-out. Larger cesspits (10,000L+) quoted individually.
High-pressure jetting. Most domestic blockages cleared in under an hour.
Out-of-hours and weekend work, where a firm has capacity. Ask for the price before they set off.
Find your nearest town guide for local access issues, typical prices and what to expect.
Everything you need to know about CCTV drain surveys in Cornwall.
Standard domestic CCTV surveys typically cost £150–£250. Larger properties, commercial sites, or longer drain runs may cost more. The price usually includes a video recording and a written report identifying any issues.
Most commonly: before buying a property (especially older Cornish homes), when blockages keep recurring, when septic tank issues are hard to diagnose, or for insurance/legal evidence after a flood or sewage backup.
A good report grades each issue by severity (e.g., 'minor scale' through 'severe damage requiring repair'), shows still images and video clips of problem areas, identifies the location of issues using metres-from-access-point measurements, and recommends next steps with rough cost estimates.
A typical domestic survey takes 1–2 hours on site. Larger sites or longer drainage runs (e.g., farm properties) can take half a day. The written report is usually delivered within 1–3 working days.
Not legally required, but strongly recommended for: older properties (pre-1970), properties on a septic tank or cesspit, properties with mature trees near drainage runs, and any property where the building survey flags drainage concerns. Costs £150–£250 and can save thousands.