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Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs Emptying

Routine maintenance of your septic tank is essential to avoid costly repairs, maintain compliance with environmental standards, and ensure smooth system functionality. Knowing the warning signs that your septic tank needs emptying can save you significant time and money. Below, we outline the key indicators that it’s time for a service.

1. Persistent Foul Smells

Strong, unpleasant odors around the tank or drains often signal that the tank is nearing capacity. . These smells result from trapped gasses and indicate that professional emptying and maintenance may be overdue.

2. Slow Drains and Gurgling Sounds

If your sinks, toilets, or showers are slow to drain or you hear gurgling sounds from your plumbing, it could mean your tank is full or a blockage is forming. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent worsening conditions.

3. Sewage Backup

Sewage backing up into your property is a critical sign that your tank is overloaded. This situation poses health risks and requires immediate professional attention to prevent property damage and contamination.

4. Standing Water and Thickened Grass

Standing water around the tank area or unusually thick, green patches of grass could indicate that your septic system is overfilled or leaking. This results when excess liquid escapes into the surrounding soil, often due to an overfull tank.

5. Long Periods Without Servicing

Even without warning signs, septic tanks should be serviced regularly—every 1-3 years based on usage. Cotterill Environmental's planned maintenance services can catch issues early, prolonging the tank’s lifespan and ensuring compliance.



Staying proactive about septic tank maintenance helps you avoid major issues and ensures the long-term functionality of your system. Regular checks and paying attention to warning signs can save you time, money, and hassle.

How Cotterill Environmental Can Help

At Cotterill Environmental, we provide expert maintenance and septic tank emptying services. For domestic properties, we recommend having your septic tank serviced annually, and at least bi-annually for commercial properties. 

With accredited expertise and comprehensive services, including vacuuming and specialist tanker equipment, Cotterill Environmental can service all types of tanks, including  Klargester, Clearwater and Marsh. Our services include identifying faults like under-performing systems and bacterial issues. We also offer fast repairs, using stocked spare parts and providing detailed reports with photos after each visit.

Book your service today by visiting our septic tank maintenance page or calling 0121 461 4861 for expert support.

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