A full septic tank doesn't give you much warning: one day it smells, the next the drains won't take any more water and the day after it overflows. At Limpiezas y Desatascos Campos we empty septic tanks in Mallorca for houses, fincas, villas, hotels, restaurants and agroturismos. We've been providing this service for over 10 years, and it's the one we do most.
Septic tank emptying with a tanker
We bring our tanker right up to the septic tank, open the lid and vacuum out the entire contents: waste water, sludge and the crust that forms on top. If the sludge at the bottom has compacted, we break it up with high-pressure water so it comes out.
Then, with the tank empty, we check what can be seen: inlets, outlets and internal walls. If we find anything unusual, such as a blocked inlet or a broken baffle wall, we tell you there and then.
We carry out both scheduled emptying and emergency call-outs. If your septic tank is overflowing, call 646 50 53 43 at any hour.
Types of tank we empty
Prefabricated septic tanks
Polyester or polyethylene tanks, usually with two or three compartments. They're the most common type in homes built in recent years. They're emptied completely and we check that the compartments connect properly.
Masonry cesspits
Many old houses and fincas in Mallorca have masonry cesspits, built of stone or block. They tend to build up more hardened sludge and sometimes have lids that are hard to open or buried. We empty them and tell you what condition the pit is in.
Domestic and extended aeration treatment plants
Compact treatment plants also build up sludge that has to be removed from time to time. We empty the settlement tank and any chambers that need it, without damaging the equipment. For larger installations, see waste water treatment plant cleaning.
How often does a septic tank need emptying?
As a general rule, a household septic tank needs emptying every 1 to 3 years. The exact frequency depends on the size of the tank and how many people live in the house.
A house with lots of people and a small tank may need it every year. A large tank at a house that is only used for holidays can go longer. The most reliable approach is to check the sludge level rather than wait for it to overflow. If it's a holiday let, empty it before the summer: that's when it gets the most use.
We explain this in more detail in our article on how often a septic tank needs emptying (in Spanish).
Signs that your septic tank is full
Bad smells outside
A smell of sewage near the lid or in the garden, especially in hot weather. It's the first warning.
Slow drains throughout the house
If it isn't just one drain but all of them (shower, sink, toilet), the problem isn't a pipe: it's the septic tank, which can't take any more.
Damp ground or puddles near the tank
Damp soil, grass greener than usual or standing water around the tank when it hasn't rained. The tank is overflowing or leaking. Call as soon as possible.
Septic tanks at fincas, villas and country houses
In much of Mallorca, especially on rural land and in many residential developments, houses aren't connected to the mains sewer and rely on a septic tank. That's the case for many fincas in Campos, Felanitx, Porreres, Llucmajor and Santanyí.
At these houses the problem is usually access: dirt tracks, narrow gates, lids under the lawn or tanks several metres from the track. Before we set off we ask what the access is like so we bring enough hose. If you don't know where the lid is, we'll find it.
Septic tanks at hotels, restaurants and agroturismos
A fully booked agroturismo in August produces far more waste water than a family home. If the septic tank fills up in the middle of the season, the problem reaches the rooms and the kitchen.
For these businesses we recommend scheduled emptying: once before the season starts and as often as needed during the summer, depending on use. That way there are no nasty surprises with the hotel full. If you have a kitchen, combine it with grease trap cleaning. See our service for hotels and restaurants.
Waste disposal at an authorised treatment plant
What we take out of your septic tank isn't dumped just anywhere. We transport it in the tanker to an authorised treatment plant, where it is properly treated.
It's what the regulations require and it's the only correct way to do it. With us you can rest assured that the waste from your home or business always ends up where it should.
What affects the price of emptying
There's no fixed price for emptying a septic tank because every tank is different. These are the things that matter most:
- Size of the tank in cubic metres: the bigger it is, the more there is to remove and transport.
- Truck access: whether it can stop close to the tank or a lot of hose has to be run out; dirt tracks or narrow streets.
- Distance from our base in Campos.
- Condition of the tank: heavily compacted sludge or a cesspit that hasn't been emptied for years takes more work.
- Urgency and timing: a scheduled emptying is not the same as an emergency.
Give us these details by phone or WhatsApp and we'll give you a rough price, with no obligation. Even better if you send us a photo of the lid and the access.
Septic tank emptying in Campos and all of Mallorca
We empty septic tanks all over Mallorca, in all 53 municipalities on the island. For information about your area, here are some of our local pages:
- Septic tanks in Campos
- Septic tanks in Palma
- Septic tanks in Llucmajor
- Septic tanks in Manacor
- Septic tanks in Felanitx
- Septic tanks in Santanyí
- Septic tanks in Ses Salines
- Septic tanks in Porreres
Whichever municipality you're in, call us on 646 50 53 43 and we'll confirm when we can get there. See all municipalities in Mallorca.
Frequently asked questions about septic tanks
Do I need to be at home when you come to empty the septic tank?
Not always. If the tank lid is accessible and you tell us where it is, we can do the job without you being there. We'll discuss it when we book the visit.
What if I don't know where the septic tank lid is?
It happens a lot with houses that have been bought or inherited. We follow the route of the pipes and inspection chambers until we find it. We explain how on our page about locating hidden inspection chambers.
Can you empty a septic tank at a finca reached by a dirt track?
Yes, in most cases. When you call, tell us what the track is like and how far the tank is from where the truck can stop. We work with a long hose.
Will emptying the septic tank get rid of the smell?
If the smell comes from a full tank, yes. If it comes back soon after, there may be a ventilation problem or a blocked inspection chamber, and we'll check it.
Do I need to add any product after emptying?
It isn't compulsory. What matters is not to pour too much bleach, oil, wet wipes or harsh chemicals down the drain, because they slow down the natural breakdown inside the tank.
What's the difference between a septic tank and a cesspit?
A septic tank is a sealed tank with compartments where solids settle and break down. A cesspit is a simpler tank, usually built in masonry, that just collects waste. Both are emptied with a tanker.