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 £150Drains blocked, gurgling, or backing up? Most domestic blockages clear inside an hour with high-pressure jetting, no digging required. Here's what's involved and what it typically costs in Cornwall.
Blocked or slow-running drains? Most domestic blockages clear inside an hour using high-pressure water jetting — no digging, no mess, no need to lift slabs or paving.
Common causes of blocked drains:
For tougher blockages or recurring issues, a CCTV drain survey is usually the right next step — it pinpoints the cause so you only pay for the right fix.
Look for a Cornwall-based drainage firm that carries the high-pressure jetter, CCTV gear, and the experience to know when to escalate from a quick fix to a proper repair.
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 drain clearance — 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 drain clearance in Cornwall.
Most domestic blockages clear for £80–£150 with high-pressure jetting. Recurring blockages may need a CCTV survey (£150–£250) to pinpoint the cause. Tree-root incursions or collapsed pipes need bigger work — your specialist will quote properly after inspection.
Common signs: slow-draining sinks or baths, gurgling toilets, bad smells around drain covers, water rising in lower-level drains when flushing upstairs, and sewage backing up in showers or floor drains. If multiple fixtures are slow at once, the problem is usually further down the line.
Usually not. High-pressure jetting handles most blockages without any excavation. Even root ingress can often be cut back without lifting paving. Only collapsed pipes or major subsidence need digging.
Most domestic jobs take 30 minutes to 1 hour. Stubborn blockages or longer drainage runs can take 2–3 hours. CCTV surveys (if needed) typically add another hour.
Modern high-pressure jetters operate within safe pressure limits for domestic drains. Older brittle clay pipes or already-damaged sections may need a gentler approach — a good specialist will assess before jetting, and use CCTV to check first if there's any doubt.