What to Check on Your Septic Tank This Autumn & Winter

When autumn hits Norfolk, so do the heavy rains — and while most people worry about flooding or blocked gutters, few realise just how much wet weather affects their septic tank.

At Ace Septic Tank Services, we see it every year. Once the ground becomes saturated, tanks fill faster, soakaways struggle to drain properly, and systems that seemed fine in summer suddenly start backing up. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, business owner, or site manager, a few seasonal checks can save you from an expensive and messy problem later.

Here’s your complete guide to what to look for and how to keep your system flowing through Norfolk’s wettest months.

1. Understand How Wet Weather Affects Your Septic Tank

Let’s start with the basics.

When it rains heavily for days or weeks on end, the ground around your soakaway or drainage field becomes waterlogged. This means it can’t absorb wastewater as efficiently. The result?

Your septic tank holds more liquid than it should and fills up far quicker.

In severe cases, this can lead to:

• Wastewater backing up into drains or toilets

• Standing water pooling around the tank or soakaway

• Unpleasant odours or gurgling noises

• Overflow into ditches or the surrounding land (which is an environmental offence)

That’s why it’s crucial to check and maintain your tank before winter hits in full force.

2. Check Your Septic Tank Level

During dry months, your septic tank might only need emptying once a year. But when the ground is saturated, it can fill up much faster.

🔍 Quick check: Lift the inspection cover and look at the water level inside your tank. If it’s close to the outlet pipe or higher than normal, it’s time to book an emptying service.

At Ace Septic Tank Services, we recommend homeowners and businesses in Norfolk schedule a seasonal tank check each autumn — especially if your property sits on clay soil or in a low-lying area prone to flooding.

3. Inspect for Standing Water or Wet Ground

Take a walk around your septic area after a heavy downpour.If you see wet patches, puddles, or soft ground above the soakaway, it could mean your system isn’t draining properly.

For businesses such as pubs, holiday parks, care homes or glamping sites, this can be particularly risky — not only for hygiene reasons but also for compliance.

Excess surface water can push untreated wastewater into the environment, breaching Environment Agency discharge rules. That’s where our CCTV drain surveys and soakaway inspections come in — pinpointing any blockages, damage or ground saturation before it becomes serious.

4. Clear Your Drain Covers and Gullies

Autumn leaves and debris are the enemy of a healthy drainage system. If surface water can’t drain away from your property, it can overwhelm the septic system faster.

✅ Action tip: Regularly clear leaves, mud and debris from:

• Drain covers

• Guttering downpipes

• Driveway gullies and grates

For larger sites, such as commercial premises, farms, or event venues, we can provide a full drain maintenance service to keep everything running efficiently through the wetter months.

5. Check Your Soakaway or Drainage Field Performance

If you notice your tank is filling up unusually quickly, your soakaway might be struggling. Over time, the small pores in the soil or gravel can become blocked by solids, silt, or grease — particularly during prolonged wet weather when the ground stays waterlogged.

🚨 Warning signs:

• Foul smells near the soakaway area

• Slow drains inside the property

• Gurgling pipes or toilets

• Frequent need for emptying

Our team can carry out soakaway testing or CCTV inspections to confirm if the system is still working properly or needs repair.

6. Check Manhole Covers and Access Points

Before winter really sets in, make sure all covers and inspection points are:

• Secure and intact (no cracks or rusted edges)

• Clear of heavy objects or parked vehicles

• Easily accessible for your next scheduled emptying

This might seem minor, but if access is blocked or frozen, it can delay essential maintenance — especially during an emergency call-out.

7. Plan a Pre-Winter Empty

The simplest way to stay ahead of drainage issues is to get your septic tank emptied and checked before winter.

At Ace Septic Tank Services, we offer autumn and winter maintenance visits across Norfolk. Our service includes:

• Full tank empty and clean

• Visual inspection of the tank and soakaway

• Checks for signs of ingress or saturation

• Advice on preventing seasonal issues

It’s a small investment that prevents much larger problems — especially when storms or prolonged rain hit.

8. Businesses: Check Your Waste Compliance

For commercial sites — such as breweries, restaurants, pubs, or accommodation providers — winter conditions can put extra strain on your system. Higher wastewater volumes combined with saturated ground often lead to quicker filling and potential overflows.

Remember, as a business, you have a legal duty of care under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 to manage waste safely. That includes ensuring:

• Tanks and treatment plants are serviced regularly

• Waste is removed by a licensed carrier (like Ace Septic Tank Services)

• All disposal records and paperwork are up to date

We provide all necessary documentation for your compliance records — giving you peace of mind and proof if the Environment Agency or your local council ever carry out inspections.

9. Schedule a CCTV Drain Survey

If you’ve had ongoing issues — slow drainage, bad smells, or repeated filling — it might be worth booking a CCTV drain survey.

This technology allows us to inspect every inch of your system, from the outlet pipe to the soakaway, identifying:

• Cracked or collapsed pipework

• Root intrusion

• Sediment build-up

• Blockages caused by fats, wipes or foreign materials

A pre-winter drain survey is a smart move for both homeowners and businesses, especially in older properties or rural areas of Norfolk.

10. Be Proactive, Not Reactive

In our experience, the majority of septic emergencies during winter could have been prevented with a quick autumn check-up.

Don’t wait until you notice a smell or a slow drain — by then, the problem has already developed. A proactive approach keeps your system in top condition, saves you money, and avoids environmental fines or damage.

Book Your Autumn/Winter Septic Tank Check in Norfolk

Whether you’re managing a rural home, a rental property, or a commercial site, Ace Septic Tank Services can help you prepare for the wet weather ahead.

We’re a fully licensed, Norfolk-based septic tank company, providing:

• Septic tank emptying and cleaning

• CCTV drain inspections

• Soakaway testing and repairs

• Sewage treatment plant servicing

• Compliance documentation for businesses

📞 Call us on 01692 670 367 or email info@aceseptictankservices.co.uk to book your service today.