Septic tank cover in Exeter
Professional septic tank cover services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Broken or missing septic tank covers replaced with secure, load-rated access points. Safe for feet, pets, and machinery.
Don't Risk a Dangerous Access Point
A dodgy septic tank cover is genuinely dangerous - step on a rotten one and you're going through. Not a nice experience, especially in rural Devon where tanks can be deep.
💡 Pro tip: If you can't remember where your septic tank cover is because it's buried in the garden, mark it properly before you need an emergency emptying at 3am.
What Makes a Safe Cover?
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Load-rated for the location | Cracked plastic that flexes underfoot |
| Properly sealed - no odours | Gaps letting smells escape |
| Easy to remove for emptying | Stuck solid when you need access |
| Clearly identifiable | Lost under soil and grass |
What You Get
🔧 Safe, Secure Access
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check opening size, depth, and access requirements |
| Prepare | Build up frame if needed, ensure level base |
| Fit | Install appropriate cover, seal properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Load-rated cover that won't collapse
- Easy access for tanker visits
- No smells escaping
Pricing Guide
| Situation | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple cover swap | 1 hr | £60 |
| Frame repair + cover | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Multiple covers | 2+ hrs | £110+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Cover cost additional.
Perfect For Your Rural Property If...
✅ Broken cover - cracked, rotten, or collapsed
✅ Safety concern - old cover wobbly or dangerous
✅ Lost cover - buried and can't find when needed
✅ Upgrading property - making it safe before sale
Why Choose Us for Septic tank cover in Exeter?
Load-rated for safety
Proper seal to prevent odours
Easy access for emptying
Child and pet safe
What to Expect
Step 1: Check Current Setup
I'll assess the opening size, depth, and what type of cover you need based on location and load requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Opening
If the frame is damaged or the wrong size, I'll sort that first. Needs a solid, level base for the cover to sit properly.
Step 3: Fit & Seal
New cover installed securely, sealed to prevent odours, but still easy to lift when your tanker driver needs access.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy tackling it yourself? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spade and wheelbarrow
- Spirit level
- Masonry drill (if setting in concrete)
- Trowel and cement mix
- Bolts/fixings for the cover type
📏 Measuring correctly
- Measure the actual opening (not the old cover)
- Measure depth from ground to where cover sits
- Note whether vehicles cross it (affects load rating needed)
- Check if it's a single or double-seal cover
🪨 Setting the cover
- Dig out to a level base
- Build up brick or block frame if needed
- Ensure frame is level and stable
- Bed cover on mortar, not just soil
- Leave it to set before walking on
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Buying wrong load rating (pedestrian vs driveway)
- Not building a proper frame under the cover
- Covering with too much soil - you'll never find it
- Forgetting to mark the location clearly
💡 Pro trick: Fit a plastic or metal marker post nearby if it's in a field. Future you will thank you when the grass is long and you're trying to direct a tanker driver.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Emptying due? If your septic tank needs emptying soon, get the cover sorted first. Nothing worse than having the tanker turn up and not being able to access the tank.
Multiple tanks? Some rural properties have more than one chamber. Get all the covers checked while I'm there - they usually fail around the same time.
Building over it? Don't. Septic tanks need regular access for emptying. If you're planning a patio or deck, route around it or fit an inspection chamber you can still reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my septic tank cover need replacing?
Old covers crack, rot, or collapse - especially plastic ones that weren't UV-rated. If it's wobbly, cracked, or sinking, it needs sorting before someone steps on it and goes through.
What type of cover should I fit?
Depends on location. If it's in a garden where vehicles might cross, you need a proper load-rated cast iron or composite cover. If it's tucked away in a bed, plastic access covers work fine and are easier to lift.
Can you fit a cover if the tank opening is an odd size?
Usually yes - I can either source a cover to match the opening, or build up a frame to take a standard-sized cover. Older septic tanks often have non-standard openings, especially around Exeter.
How deep should the cover be set?
Flush with ground level if it's in a lawn or driveway. If it's in a bed, I can set it slightly raised with a frame so you can find it easily when the tank needs emptying.
Do I need to provide the cover?
I can source and fit the right cover for your setup, or fit one you've already bought. Just send me the size of the opening and I'll advise what's needed.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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