What Is a Septic Tank Riser?

Septic tanks are an increasingly popular alternative to public sewers, offering a waste disposal system that’s cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and that can be installed in locations with no access to public facilities.

If you’re considering installing a septic tank on your property, you might be wondering whether you need a septic tank riser to go with the system.

In this article, our experts explain what a septic tank riser is, why you might need to install one, and what might happen if you don’t have one with your system.

What Are Septic Tank Risers?

A septic tank riser is a piece of piping, usually produced from plastic or concrete. The piping is connected to the access port of the septic tank and protrudes directly upwards, providing quick access to the tank from above.

Septic tank risers have a variety of useful benefits that can help you to not only access your septic tank easily but to keep on top of repairs and maintenance throughout the year.

While older septic tanks might not have a septic tank riser fitted, they can be fitted retroactively. Newer septic tank installations are often provided with risers or the buyer is given the option to have one installed. As you’ll see, installing a septic tank riser is well worth the extra investment!

What Do Septic Tank Risers Do?

Standard septic tanks are buried underground, allowing you to make the most of your garden space while covering up the admittedly unflattering sight (and perhaps smells!) of your waste disposal system.

But being buried underground provides a major obstacle to access, a problem which the septic tank riser is designed to solve.

Without a septic tank riser, the access port to a septic tank is concealed beneath the ground. The ports are often simply covered up with grass or dirt, which can make finding them a real challenge.

If you didn’t install your septic tank and it wasn’t fitted with a riser, it can actually be quite difficult locating where the tank is buried if you don’t have a map or plans of the construction area. You might even have to pay your local council a visit to find copies of the plans!

While you might not often need to check where your septic tank is, having a riser makes things much easier when you do need to locate it, especially if you have a problem that needs fixing quickly.

As well as providing a location point in the garden for your buried septic tank, a septic tank riser means you don’t need to have your septic tank raised above ground if there are any problems with it.

Importantly, a septic tank riser allows repairs and maintenance to be carried out from above ground, as they effectively extend the cleanout area of the tank and make it easily accessible.

If there are any blockages, a septic tank riser allows the tank to be pumped out quickly, saving you time and getting the job done efficiently. Equally, a septic tank riser makes things a lot easier for the maintenance team when you are having your yearly pump out.

Septic tank risers can be particularly useful during winter, especially in the UK when the ground often freezes over. Without a riser, you would be cut off from the septic tank during winter and may have difficulty accessing it below the frozen ground if there was a problem. A septic tank riser removes this worry entirely.  

When Do You Require a Septic Tank Riser?

A septic tank riser is an increasingly common sight in gardens with their own off-mains drainage systems, as people are realising the benefits of having one installed.

Septic tank risers are required in a variety of situations, and they make life a lot easier in plenty more scenarios too. Here are the most common times that you’ll require a septic tank riser:

• When your septic tank is buried far enough underground that it needs to be dug up for maintenance.
• When you need easy and quick access to the septic tank.
• If you need to carry out repairs or maintenance in winter.
• If you have a hard time locating your septic tank in the garden.
• If you want a reminder that your septic tank is there and needs cleaning out once a year!

Are Septic Tank Risers Compulsory When Having a Septic Tank Installed?

Septic tank risers are not compulsory by law, and many older septic tank installations don’t have them fitted. It is common practice, however, for new installations to have septic tank risers, as the benefits almost always outweigh the additional costs and planning involved to have one fitted.

What Would Happen If You Don’t Have a Septic Tank Riser Installed?

While septic tank risers aren’t compulsory, we’ve already mentioned quite a few good reasons to have one installed.

Not having a septic tank riser installed could cause problems in the long run for your off-mains drainage system. Without easy access to the tank, you’ll be less inclined to carry out regular checks and maintenance on the system. You’ll also be less inclined to go to the hassle of having your tank regularly cleaned out.

This could quickly lead to blockages, build-ups of sludge, and breakages. If there’s a serious problem the tank will need to be dug up, which requires time and money.  

Contact OMDI Today for Your Free Quote

OMDI has years of experience designing, installing and maintaining septic tanks, alongside a wide range of other off-mains drainage solutions. Our expert team can provide help and advice if you’re wondering whether or not you might need a septic tank riser for your system. Our team is just a phone call or email away, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact OMDI today for advice and your free quote.