Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system was used at a London primary school that needed a cost effective, but high performance with great aesthetics solution. The cast iron system was up for the challenge, offering exceptional styling, without compromising on drainage performance. Fryent Primary School in Kingsbury is
Aquaspira has successfully designed and delivered a sustainable solution to attenuate 910 cubic metres of storm water at a new 241-home development in Beccles, Suffolk. Aquaspira was handpicked by Hopkins Homes, the largest housing developer in East Anglia, to design and install a multi-leg tank, small and large diameter pipes
Aquaspira has delivered an innovative sustainable drainage strategy, designed to reduce 315 cubic metres of excavation and saving around 20 days of construction time, at a new housing project which is underway in Dalkeith. The Northwest drainage specialist was appointed by Cruden Building which is delivering the 79 home development
The COP-26 summit in Glasgow has led the world to think more deeply and more urgently about climate change, and how we must all live and work more sustainably to combat it. Clark-Drain is no exception – and we are stepping up to the mark, as we have done in
BAM Wills JV has begun installation of Duradrain as part of the new €241 million N5 upgrade project, in County Mayo, Ireland. The product, a sustainable and recyclable combined kerb and drainage system, manufactured bygreen construction innovators Dura Products, will line a significant stretch of the new 20.3km dual carriageway
Brett Martin’s underground drainage systems including StormCrate55, an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), have been specified for a new assisted living facility in Derbyshire. Located in the Brampton area of Chesterfield, the Catherine Street facility features six self-contained apartments and six new build specialist bungalows. Built by contractor Horsman Construction
When it came to the specification of a replacement rainwater system for a 19th century school building, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System offered authentic detailing, long-term performance and ease of installation without compromising the integrity of the building. Located in the West Midlands and close to Wolverhampton,
Brett Martin has provided its new StormCrate55 modular crates for an underground attenuation tank designed to control stormwater and address surface water run-off as part of the redevelopment of a business park in Cheshire. Located in Wincham near Northwich, the Blue Group site at the New Cheshire Business Park features
ProSite is the digital logistics solution from GF Piping Systems. It helps reduce administrative efforts of ordering, reordering, and accounting of piping system components. In addition, it simplifies the stock management of installation projects, reducing the necessary workforce and related costs to ensure that a sustainable and efficient solution is
Plumbing has been one of humankind’s most outstanding achievements throughout the years, and it has only continued to advance. Today, the management of wastewater from homes usually comes in two different structures. Sewer lines and septic tanks For those who reside in urban areas, it is common for the municipal
Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system was used at a London primary school that needed a cost effective, but high performance with great aesthetics solution. The cast iron system was up for the challenge, offering exceptional styling, without compromising on drainage performance. Fryent Primary School in Kingsbury is one of the three primary schools that are part of Brent Council’s school expansion programme, which aims to refurbish old buildings and add new-build modular extensions. As part of this school’s refurbishment, Brett Martin provided the architect and contractor with full on-site technical support, as well as recommending a cost-effective rainwater solution which had the look and feel of the existing cast iron system, but offered the long-term benefits of plastic. Following thorough visits, the architect Peter Balham showed his specification, which included a comprehensive range of Cascade cast iron effect rainwater systems in a range of domestic and high capacity systems, all in Classic Black. The installation saw the 112mm Roundstyle gutter and 68mm round downpipe installed at the east end of the main entrance block. For the larger roofs across the other school entrances, rear and inner courtyard, play area and classroom dormer, the 115mm Deepstyle and higher capacity 170mm Deepstyle gutter systems were used to offer increased roof drainage. To deal with rainwater run-off from the flat roofed buildings surrounding the courtyard and astroturf play areas, the 105mm round and 100mm x 75mm rectangular downpipes and undated hoppers were installed. “We had been looking for an authentic and cost-effective cast-iron replacement for the main school building for some time and Cascade was far and away the best choice when compared to other rainwater systems and offered by far, the most comprehensive range to accommodate both the domestic and industrial scaled requirements on this project. It’s a quality, high performance product with period-style detailing that looks perfect and will protect the building against the ingress of water,” commented Peter Balham. Significantly lighter than cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at a height and helped to offer the local authority huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs which was a key consideration during the approvals process. Proven on a variety of projects from domestic new-build and refurbishment projects, church and barn conversions, Georgian and Victorian shop frontages, flats and apartments, schools and hotels, the Cascade system has been designed and developed by Brett Martin using over 60 years’ experience at the forefront of plastics technology and a unique patented manufacturing process to achieve the authentic cast iron finish. With the refurbished building and modular extension now completed, Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system has ensured an architecturally-sympathetic appearance was achieved with a reliable, durable and cost-effective drainage system that will continue to perform for many years to come. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Aquaspira has successfully designed and delivered a sustainable solution to attenuate 910 cubic metres of storm water at a new 241-home development in Beccles, Suffolk. Aquaspira was handpicked by Hopkins Homes, the largest housing developer in East Anglia, to design and install a multi-leg tank, small and large diameter pipes under the roads with associated access units. The 500 metres of composite steel reinforced pipes will attenuate storm water and mitigate flood risk. Mark Wilkinson, Head of Technical from Hopkins Homes, said: “Aquaspira has worked with us on four or five developments and we asked our consulting engineers to specify Aquaspira at Barsham Vale because it would provide a lower carbon solution, minimise land take and reduce programme time. “An accredited and adoptable solution is vital and Aquaspira provides this, the added benefit is that the three metre sections of pipe help with the ease of installation.” The Barsham Vale development is in the picturesque market town of Beccles on the sought-after Suffolk and Norfolk border, just 10 miles from the Suffolk Heritage Coast. The development comprises of two, three and four-bedroomed homes, bungalows and apartments. The team was keen to minimise the impact of the construction on the existing local community. Due to the lightweight nature of the product, transport movements were halved compared to a traditional concrete solution. This, along with the reduced excavation, decreases vehicle emissions, helping to enhance construction site sustainability. Jonny Johnson from Aquaspira said: “This is an adoptable private housing project within Anglian Water. We were able to deliver the ideal solution, including a space saving multi-leg water attenuation tank, access points and a range of diameter pipes for under the road network. “We used composite steel reinforced pipes, including large diameter pipes, which along with the multi-leg tank can hold a vast amount of storm water under the new estate roads. This minimised the land take required for the SUDs and the safety issues associated with surface level storage. “As our products are far lighter weight than traditional concrete this more than halved the number of transport movements and depth required for installation. “We reviewed the soil conditions, depth and flotation to ensure the ground conditions were suitable. As part of the service we provide we produced loading calculations to BS 9295:2020 which confirmed that the products were suitable and adoptable for this application.” Dan West, director from Ingent Consulting Engineers, said: “Hopkins Homes requested Aquaspira was specified and I’ve been very impressed with the product and installation time. Lightweight and strong, the pipes can be handled more swiftly and safely, with much smaller machines and need about a quarter less excavation as well. “As a result, the Aquaspira solution has helped us to optimise the design, safety and installation efficiency of the development, as well as achieving minimal disruption for the local community. The installation ran smoothly and the environmental benefits offered by the products helped to ensure this was the perfect solution for this exclusive development.” The products used included: Under Road Drainage – 675mmØ, 750mmØ, 1200mmØ & 1800mmØ Pipes with 1200mm & 1800mm Access Units POS Attenuation Tank – 3-leg 1800mmØ Tank
Aquaspira has delivered an innovative sustainable drainage strategy, designed to reduce 315 cubic metres of excavation and saving around 20 days of construction time, at a new housing project which is underway in Dalkeith. The Northwest drainage specialist was appointed by Cruden Building which is delivering the 79 home development at Morris Road in Newtongrange. The scheme will provide a mix of two-storey energy-efficient homes and cottage flats, supporting Midlothian Council’s Local Housing Strategy which is designed to deliver a high priority and cost-efficient contribution to the local housing supply. Mark Stanway from Aquaspira explains: “We were able to rethink the entire approach to construction of the drainage at this site. Seven concrete manholes were original specified each requiring a four metre wide excavation. “By using a strong, compact steel reinforced push-fit solution we were able to reduce the number of vehicle movements to site by 60%, as well as cutting the amount of bedding and backfill by half. “Our access units also reduced the installation of each manhole from an average of four days to around an hour, delivering dramatic cost and timing savings to the job, as well as providing a far more environmentally friendly and safer solution.” Land utilisation was maximised by using the ground beneath the estate roads for all of the stormwater storage, and a simplified, safer, and accelerated strategy used these UK-manufactured push-fit, large diameter pipes with access units as an alternative to concrete. The pipes were installed by GBSS Civils and Plant Hire Ltd, talking about the ease of installation, Andy Paterson from GBSS said: “The 1800mm and 1200mm pipes were much easier to handle and install than similar size concrete pipes which, together with the rapid, very simple fitting of the prefabricated Access Units, made a massive difference to the job” The solution was in-keeping with Midlothian Council’s drive to deliver modern high-quality homes which incorporate energy efficient components within the homes as well as through eco-friendly construction solutions such as this. Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Councillor Stephen Curran said: “This project demonstrates how innovative construction techniques can contribute to making developments more sustainable and are in line with the council’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 as outlined in our Climate Change Strategy.” Aquaspira is on a mission to deliver low carbon construction solutions. The Lancashire-based company has been investing extensively in research and development which has seen the use of recycled materials in its products increased, as well as using solar power in the manufacturing process. The company is working with the University of Birmingham to develop a digital twin to improve design and to investigate the use of recycled materials for backfill to further reduce carbon usage in the construction sector and use sensors in pipes for long-term monitoring and maintenance. This research can make a huge step-change in helping the construction sector achieve Government de-carbonisation targets. Aquaspira’s unique light weight composite pipe already reduces the number of vehicle movements and fuel consumption when compared to traditional concrete products. A significant advantage with the current shortage of haulage drivers. All of these innovations help utility companies, housebuilders and the wider infrastructure and construction sectors reduce their impact on the environment.
The COP-26 summit in Glasgow has led the world to think more deeply and more urgently about climate change, and how we must all live and work more sustainably to combat it. Clark-Drain is no exception – and we are stepping up to the mark, as we have done in the past. We are proud to announce that we signed up to the Government’s Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme back in 2018, which commits us to environmental targets over time. It was an important step forward, and complements the many other measures we have already taken, and continue to take, to reduce resource consumption, pollution, and climate change impacts. From the market’s first fully recycled and recyclable channels and chambers, to efficient drainage that increases hydraulic performance using less material, to lightweight designs that use less fuel to transport and install, Clark-Drain has always put sustainability high on its agenda. And with our CCA commitment, our long-established, family-run business is shifting its environmental conscience up a gear. So, what exactly does CCA deliver, how, and what are the benefits? Measure, report, hit the mark – consistently Primarily, CCA is about reducing our energy use and carbon emissions to agreed levels. Energy consumption is the cause of much of the world’s carbon emissions, and carbon itself makes up 80% of the greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change, so cutting down on both energy use and carbon emissions is a no-brainer. As part of our commitment to CCA, we must measure and report our energy consumption and emissions over periods of two years, until the end of March 2025, and must hit the agreed targets throughout that time. The measuring and reporting are rigorous, comprising both absolute and relative measures of energy consumption and carbon emitted. The targets, which are defined by the Government based on the industry sector we operate in, are calculated relative to a past “base year”, and are both absolute and – necessarily – challenging. In short, with the CCA scheme we are doing in environmental terms what we have always done elsewhere in our business: championing transparency, learning lessons, aiming high, and delivering a better outcome. But what’s in it for us – and our customers? CCA: making environmental and economic sense Like all the best environmental initiatives, CCA incorporates sensible financial incentives to help offset the costs to the business of managing the scheme, and potentially deliver some residual economic benefit, both of which ultimately drive uptake. By hitting the CCA targets, businesses like Clark-Drain benefit from significant reductions in the Climate Change Levy (CCL) that we currently pay as part of our electricity and fuel bills. Ultimately, we are free to deploy any surplus however we think it will benefit our customers most – in new product development, operational and customer service investment, price or quantity incentives, and so on. It’s the proverbial win-win situation, three ways: we reduce our impact on the environment, we lower our costs, and we free up funds to better serve our customers. Transparency and credibility: going public One thing that COP-26 has taught us all is that lip-service just doesn’t cut it anymore. Environmental commitments must be visible, and they must have teeth. The CCA scheme addresses this not only through its extremely specific targets, conditions, and measurement, as described above (a much fuller explanation of which is given in the various technical documents here), but also in the fact that it maintains a completely public register of businesses that continue to meet the targets and be eligible for the CCL discount. This register (called the Reduced Rate Certificates spreadsheet) is available to download here, and makes successful CCA commitment a matter of public record. Our customers can therefore be sure they are dealing with a business that has not only signed up to the CCA scheme, but is actually delivering on it. Critical changes, manageable progress As the great and the good head off from Glasgow, leaving a legacy of urgent environmental action in their wake, the ball is very much in our court – the millions of expert, specialist businesses that, across the globe, sell the things the world can’t do without, but at an environmental price it soon won’t be able to afford. Our commitment to the CCA scheme is one more demonstration of our determination to deliver products and to work in ways that are more sustainable, bit by bit, day by day. At Clark-Drain, we’re proud that what we produce is, as we always say, “grounded in expertise”- but now, more than ever, we want to make sure that how it is produced is grounded in environmental good sense.
BAM Wills JV has begun installation of Duradrain as part of the new €241 million N5 upgrade project, in County Mayo, Ireland. The product, a sustainable and recyclable combined kerb and drainage system, manufactured bygreen construction innovators Dura Products, will line a significant stretch of the new 20.3km dual carriageway between Turlough and Westport. It forms part of the biggest single infrastructural investment ever undertaken in the county. Duradrain was chosen primarily as a low carbon kerb and drainage solution, recording a carbon footprint of just 1.71kg of carbon dioxide per kg in its recent Life Cycle Assessments. In addition to its low carbon footprint, its lightweight nature increases productivity, while also reducing risk of injury during installation, making it a safer, simpler and greener alternative to concrete kerb and drainage systems. Dura Products, who supplied over 4km of Duradrain in October, and will supply another 10.5km between now and the New Year, uses a blend of recycled polymers to manufacture its products, ensuring it continues to divert waste from landfill and reduce demand for virgin plastic. The company has installed more than 400,000 units of its flagship product Durakerb in the UK since 2003, reflecting a burgeoning demand for sustainable construction solutions. BAM Wills JV, who signed the contract for the N5 upgrade project in October 2019, are equally committed to sustainable practice. Its parent company BAM Ireland recently partnered with the Irish Green Building Council to decarbonise Ireland’s building stock, promote circularity in the construction industry and enhance biodiversity, whilst also planting 150,000 trees to mark its 150th anniversary in 2019. Commenting on the installation, Steve Bennett, Managing Director of Dura Products said: “We’re delighted that BAM Wills JV selected Duradrain as its chosen kerbside and drainage solution for this project, and that we can help them continue leading the way for sustainable construction in Ireland. Knowing what this project will bring to the region in terms of accessibility, employment and road safety, it fills us with great pride to be involved.”
Brett Martin’s underground drainage systems including StormCrate55, an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), have been specified for a new assisted living facility in Derbyshire. Located in the Brampton area of Chesterfield, the Catherine Street facility features six self-contained apartments and six new build specialist bungalows. Built by contractor Horsman Construction for developer SSL Partnership, the housing’s underground drainage requirements were met by a range of high performance, robust and easy-to-install solutions from Brett Martin. As part of the drainage requirements for this small residential development, a storm water management system was required to cope with any potential storm water during inclement weather conditions and working in partnership with Brett Martin’s technical team, Horsman Construction specified the StormCrate55 attenuation system which proved to be the ideal solution to control excessive surface water run-off. Manufactured from 100% recycled plastic, 84m ² of StormCrate55 modular units were clipped together in a brick bond pattern to create two underground attenuation tanks installed beneath the car park. The lightweight, high strength crates weigh only 15.5kg each and come fully assembled which was good news for the installation team, meaning minimal time was spent installing them on site. For this project, Brett Martin provided the Horsman team with a pre-fabricated geotextile liner which was pre-cut to fit the size of each tank. The one-piece liners done away with the need to cut and join the liner during the install and speeded up the process of sealing both tanks. The outlet from this tank is then controlled through a Hydro-Brake chamber to facilitate a slow release of the stored water back into the drainage system over a longer period. “This was the first time we have used StormCrate but with the excellent technical support from Brett Martin, it was the perfect underground drainage solution for our requirements. Easy to lift and install by hand, and exceptionally strong, the crates were quickly joined using the supplied connectors and met our drainage requirements for this small site in Chesterfield,” said Steve Robinson, Site Manager at Horsman Construction. For infiltration applications, StormCrate55 can also be wrapped in a permeable geotextile, material which allows stored water to slowly seep into the surrounding ground and back into the water table over a period of time. Suitable for installation in landscaped areas, pedestrianised spaces, playgrounds, parking areas, driveways and access zones, StormCrate55 is seen as one way of addressing the problem of flooding and avoiding using an overloaded sewer system.
When it came to the specification of a replacement rainwater system for a 19th century school building, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System offered authentic detailing, long-term performance and ease of installation without compromising the integrity of the building. Located in the West Midlands and close to Wolverhampton, the original cast iron rainwater system at Wightwick Hall School was no longer fit for purpose and required replacement as part of remedial works prior to the school’s conversion to an academy. Brett Martin provided the client with full on-site technical support as well as recommending a cost-effective rainwater solution which had the look and feel of cast iron but offered the long-term benefits of plastic. Due to the building’s age and change of use over the years, there were no technical drawings from which a bill of quantities could be created. To meet the challenge, Brett Martin’s technical team were able to visit the site and help with the specification along with calculations and assistance with installation techniques. The specification of the Cascade rainwater system comprised 112mm Roundstyle Gutters and 68mm Round Downpipes with Tudor Rose Hoppers, all in Classic Black and providing the authentic detailing and finish they were looking for. This was complemented by the Cascade 110mm Push-Fit Soil System to provide a complete look which was architecturally sympathetic to the 19th century building and the original detail of the previous cast iron system. “We are very pleased with the replacement gutter and soil systems as the cast iron style is in keeping with the age and design of the school building. And since leaking gutters are now a thing of the past the Cascade will help protect the building for years to come,” said school site manager, Simon Bruce. Significantly lighter than cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at height, helping to offer the contractor and their client huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs. The system also features external fixing lugs designed to facilitate the use of power tools, further speeding up installation. Using a reputable manufacturer such as Brett Martin offers far more than the quality and versatility of the product itself – they provide superior technical support, detailed installation instructions and maintenance guidelines to ensure rainwater systems perform exactly as promised. With this school building now fully protected and ready for its conversion to an academy, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System has met the aesthetic and performance requirements of the client whilst ensuring a fast, efficient and economical installation.
Brett Martin has provided its new StormCrate55 modular crates for an underground attenuation tank designed to control stormwater and address surface water run-off as part of the redevelopment of a business park in Cheshire. Located in Wincham near Northwich, the Blue Group site at the New Cheshire Business Park features offices, a workshop and space for up to 20 waste handling machines. In order to manage surface water on the site during periods of heavy rainfall, Engineering Services, working on behalf of Blue Group, collaborated with Brett Martin on a design which incorporated the StormCrate55 system – an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), to create a 325m ³ storage tank below a parking area. Due to space limitations and drainage layouts on site, Engineering Services found the dimensions of the StormCrate55 perfect for this project. With each crate capable of storing up to 237.5 litres of water, Brett Martin’s technical experts were able to offer technical guidance for the design of an attenuation tank and underground storm drainage pipe layout to suit both the site landscaping and tank storage requirements and allow stormwater to be managed on an area where staff cars and light goods vehicles are to be parked. With Brett Martin offering a complete package, the attenuation tank was installed in a short timescale by contractor Catalogue Engineering. As each crate weighs only 15.5kg they were easy to lift by hand and simple to connect together using connectors and shear pins in a brick bond pattern and at three layers deep in parts. Commenting on the specification, Terence McGeary of Engineering Services said:” The site in Wincham had some specific constraints in terms of space, topography and pipe placement. Despite these challenges, we were delighted with the technical support and the complete package provided by Brett Martin leading to the specification of the StormCrate55 system for this project.” As with the application at the Blue Group site, one option is to surround the StormCrate55 system with an impermeable geomembrane to create a sealed underground attenuation tank. The outlet from this tank is then controlled to facilitate a slow release of the stored water back into the drainage system. StormCrate55 can also be wrapped in a permeable geotextile material to create an infiltration system which allows stored water to slowly seep into the surrounding ground and back into the water table over a period of time. Available for delivery to site with a fast two-to-three day lead time, StormCrate55 is seen as one way to manage rainfall on a site, reducing the risk of surface water flooding and avoiding the problems associated with an overloaded sewer system. Ideal for a range of applications including landscaped areas, pedestrianised spaces and playgrounds, Brett Martin’s StormCrate55 will ensure this business park will have a proven stormwater and drainage solution, ensuring flood protection for the long term. To find out more about StormCrate55 or Brett Martin’s expansive range of rainwater systems visit: www.brettmartin.com
ProSite is the digital logistics solution from GF Piping Systems. It helps reduce administrative efforts of ordering, reordering, and accounting of piping system components. In addition, it simplifies the stock management of installation projects, reducing the necessary workforce and related costs to ensure that a sustainable and efficient solution is achieved. Fifty percent of medium-sized businesses do not track their inventory. “The lack of tracked inventory can easily lead to out-of-stock situations. Not only does this threaten the timely completion of projects, but also the customer’s trust”, explains Bernd Schuster, Head of Global Specialized Solutions at GF Piping Systems. Project managers regularly face inventory challenges, with lead times from distributors causing potential delays and additional cost to projects that are already under time pressure. Introducing a digital logistics solution makes the supply chain more cost-effective, as the carrying cost is optimized and simultaneously the person-hours needed for administrative tasks are reduced. Thus, translating into an efficiency boost of the whole production chain. Nevertheless, there aren’t many digital tools for stock management available in the market that are affordable for medium-sized or small warehouses. Consequently, GF Piping Systems has developed ProSite, as a fully compatible solution that works with the devices already available on the project site, allowing them to professionalize their processes easily. This powerful new digital platform can improve the production efficiency by up to 15% for some customers, saving them 20% of the administrative tasks in the end and bringing human error rates to the minimum. In addition, ProSite provides a fully traceable overview of the goods managed, ordering, and invoice process. The new digital solution in GF Piping Systems’ portfolio helps to save warehouse space. The optimal inventory turnover ratio with automated just-in-time inventory management also significantly reduces administration and freight costs. At all times, the user can keep an overview of picklists and order books in a fully traceable and transparent manner. The fail-safe operation avoids excesses and shortages with staple material as well as custom pieces. In addition, the customer can keep the exact numbers required. For more product details, visit: www.gfps.com/prosite
Plumbing has been one of humankind’s most outstanding achievements throughout the years, and it has only continued to advance. Today, the management of wastewater from homes usually comes in two different structures. Sewer lines and septic tanks For those who reside in urban areas, it is common for the municipal sewer lines to link several houses and transport the wastewater to a treatment facility. As for those in rural areas, individual houses often have a septic tank. What Is A Septic Tank, And How Does It Work? A septic tank is an underground tank responsible for basic wastewater processing and disposal. It is an option for rural homes and properties that are too far to link to the local sewer lines. A septic tank is usually concrete, fiberglass, or steel. In most cases, you can find it away from the house, generally at the property’s side or back. When using a sink or flushing the toilet, the water flows through the underground piping into the septic tank, in which the waste and water are separated. The water is released from the tank by the drainage pipes into the adjacent soil or drainage field further from the house. The solids in the waste settle at the tank’s base, are broken down by septic bacteria and eventually pumped out during periodic maintenance. In case you detect a bad odor, or find wide wet spots above the septic tank field, repairs might be necessary, click here to find out more about possible causes of septic tank odor. What Are The Pros Of A Septic Tank? Cost-effective. If you want an affordable option for wastewater management, a septic tank might be the best option. The installation of a septic tank is reasonable and does not include monthly maintenance costs while sewer lines can be costly to build and maintain. Among those residing within town limits, homeowners deal with a monthly utility bill for the sewer costs. When you have a septic tank, there are no constant recurring expenses. Durability. When a septic tank receives regular maintenance, it won’t require frequent replacement. Septic tanks are usually either steel or concrete, which are highly durable materials. The tanks rarely require complete replacement as long as you provide proper maintenance. In most cases, a septic tank can last from 20 to 40 years before a replacement is necessary. Environmentally-friendly. A septic tank will not contaminate the water supply. The tank removes bacteria before releasing the water into the soil. Additionally, any plant life nearby will absorb the recycled water. A septic tank provides a controlled form of wastewater treatment at a more rural location. It is the reason why septic tanks are a popular choice at farm homes and rural cabins. It is more environmentally-friendly than a latrine since the wastewater undergoes partial treatment naturally. What Are The Cons Of A Septic Tank? Periodic maintenance. A septic tank requires routine pumping, every three to five years. In most cases, the cost of this maintenance can be high. It is important to note that septic tanks require pumping to eliminate solid waste every two to six years, which depends on how quickly the solids accumulate. Once you delay this task, the sewage can back up into your house. The downside is that it is hard to tell when the septic system needs attention until the toilets back up into the house. Water backing up the drain. The septic lines are more likely to end up damaged or blocked due to the flushing of items that should not be put in the toilet, such as feminine hygiene products, baby wipes or cotton balls. The indications of a backup usually include sluggish drainage of the sink, shower and bathtub as well as slow-moving toilets. Once you see these signs, get in touch with a plumber to assess the septic system. Possibility for rupturing pipes. When the drainage pipes moving to the septic tank end up damaged due to tree roots, digging accidents, or even an earthquake, it can result in ruptured piping. As the wastewater seeps into the soil, the ground will turn mushy, and there is a repulsive smell. The pipes that have been damaged require replacement right away. Conclusion A septic system has a lot to offer based on its simple function, but it has its share of drawbacks. However, with proper maintenance, mainly routine pumping, a septic tank is a dependable, cost-effective wastewater management system. If you are still on a standstill on whether a septic tank is a good option for wastewater management, you need to check out the pros and cons above to help you decide if a septic tank is appropriate for your needs.
