Any septic tank experts?

[Redmax]

Long story but I'll cut to the key bits. We're looking to buy a house that originally had a septic tank but currently has mains drainage. As the mains drainage is unapproved and it's looking hard to get all the approvals in place in time, we may need to revert to the septic tank.

Can an old septic tank be reinstated? Is it just a question of diverting the pipework? Does it matter how long the tank has been disused for? Do I need a completely new installation?

Cheers

Jason

[Davel]

Have had two houses with septic tanks and without problem.

It does depend upon the age and state of the tank.

You may need to divert or re-connect up to the pipework feeding the tank if you have to.

Wouldn't have thought it a major issue.

Can you not proceed on the basis that the seller will meet the cost of re-connection if need be, or withold say £2,500 till finalised?

[XJSJohn]

I work with a few Americans if that helps ???

[Redmax]

Follow up question then - if we did need to budget for a new septic tank, approximately how much for a new installation for a tank big enough for a 5 bed house?

Cheers

[Davel]

Ring a local contractor / builder for an estimate.

[Tuna]

An old septic tank may not have approval either so you might still need to go through the process with the Environment Agency.

As for getting it working again, it's possible (probable?) that the outlet is clogged - which may be why they reverted to mains drainage.

Either way, you need more history either from the vendor or perhaps from whoever used to empty it.

You could proceed on condition that permissions can be obtained before you complete, but that will depend on the vendor.