For homeowners living in rural areas or away from mains drainage, a sewage treatment plant isn’t just part of the property, it’s a vital system that keeps households functioning. Out of sight and often out of mind, it quietly manages wastewater from your home’s toilets, sinks, baths, dishwashers and washing machines. However, just because it sits underground doesn’t mean that it won’t need the same care and attention as other appliances.
Regular sewage treatment plant maintenance can reduce the chance of anything unpleasant occurring and opting for a maintenance plan is one of the best investments that you can make for complete peace of mind. More importantly, your manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee will only remain valid if the system is regularly maintained. At Mantair we’ve helped countless homeowners with regular servicing, inspections and emergency support. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a maintenance plan should cover and how to select one that suits your needs.
Why Maintenance Plans Matter
One of the most common causes of sewage treatment plant failure that we see at Mantair involves a lack of routine care. Without regular checks, early signs of trouble can be missed until they become costly and disruptive problems. Even if your treatment plant seems to be performing normally, unseen issues can be developing beneath the surface.
What A Good Maintenance Plan Covers
When you’re considering a maintenance plan it’s useful to understand what a comprehensive approach looks like. A good plan should include the following elements:
Scheduled Emptying
Sewage treatment plants need to be emptied periodically to remove accumulated solids. How often depends on household size, water usage and system design but most sewage treatment plants require emptying at least once a year; and a maintenance plan should include this as standard.
Full System Inspection
Service visits are a key part of any maintenance plan. A professional should check the critical components in guidance with manufacturer’s specifications. Inspections can help to spot early signs of wear or damage before they become major issues.
Advice on Everyday Use and Best Practices
Good maintenance providers will also offer practical advice on how household behaviour can affect the system. Simple changes, such as avoiding pouring chemicals down any sinks, not flushing wipes (even biodegradable ones) and minimising fat and oil disposal, can significantly reduce the strain on your sewage treatment plant.
Record-Keeping
A thorough maintenance plan will include documentation from every visit and details of what was checked, whether anything was repaired and when the next visit is due. This is especially valuable if you decide to sell your home as it shows potential buyers that the system has been professionally managed.
What To Look For In A Maintenance Plan Provider
Not all maintenance plans are the same and the company that you choose should give you absolute confidence that your system is in good hands. Here are some important factors to consider:
Experience and Knowledge
Look for providers with proven experience in sewage treatment plant installation and servicing. This can be in the form of case studies, accreditations, an established company history or genuine customer reviews. At Mantair our teams have extensive experience inspecting sewage treatment plants of all ages and types. We understand what works, what doesn’t and where issues are most likely to arise (and we’re also highly-accredited!)
A Comprehensive Service, Not Just Emptying
Some providers offer only tank emptying, and whilst this is an important part of maintenance, emptying alone will not diagnose problems or prevent future failures. A comprehensive plan includes both emptying and an inspection.
Clear Communication
Your maintenance provider should explain what they are doing and why it matters. You shouldn’t be left guessing about the health of your system or what the next steps are or are likely to be in the near future.
Flexibility and Planning
A maintenance plan should adapt to your situation. The right provider will work with you to find the best visit frequency and services for your system as well as notifying you when the next visit is due.
Regulatory Changes
The rules around septic tank/sewage treatment plant discharge have become stricter since 2015. If your system is not in line with these regulations, then it will not be compliant. In these cases, a maintenance provider should advise you on upgrade options to make sure that you stay compliant with environmental regulations.
Replacements and Repairs
A good maintenance plan provides value by preventing costly repairs, but even with a robust plan some situations will call for additional attention or investment. What many homeowners don’t realise is that damage to plants is often covered by existing buildings insurance. Everything from root damage, tank or pipework issues caused by above-ground vehicles, collapsed baffles and structural cracks.
This is where the right maintenance provider can make a significant difference. At Mantair we work closely with the UK’s leading drainage insurance claims management company to support homeowners through the entire claims process. Instead of navigating technical reports and complex terms on your own, you have experts acting on your behalf.
Sewage Treatment Plant Maintenance Plans With Mantair
At Mantair we take a proactive approach to maintenance and our highly-experienced engineers can recognise even the earliest signs of a problem. We will notify you of any concerns and discuss the most practical way forward, but most importantly, we keep clear records of all visits and give you a documented history of our services.
To find out more about sewage treatment plants or to discuss a maintenance plan, call our friendly team today on 01255 853890 or email us at enquiries@mantair.com.