What is a sewage pump?
In residential applications, sewage is pumped from a basin by a submersible sewage pump. The sewage includes soft solids up to 2” in diameter. The pump is installed at the lowest point in the basin and pumps the liquid to a sewer system or a septic tank.
What does “solids” handling mean?
The “solids handling” of a pump refers to its ability to pass items such as human waste. These pumps cannot handle solids such as “flushable” wipes, feminine hygiene products, rocks, pebbles or anything that you could not easily break apart by using your hands.
What solids handling capabilities does my pump have?
If you know the model number, a quick search may be able to yield your answer. If not, a “sewage” pump should be able to pass up to 2” spherical solids. If the pump is in a septic tank and is screened prior to entering the pump chamber you may have an effluent pump. In which case, it can handle up to ¾” solids.
What size pump should I get?
When sizing a sewage pump we look at two things: Flow and Head. The amount of flow you need will be dependent on the size of the basin and the actual inflow of the sewage. Larger flow requires more horsepower. The amount of head you have is calculated by adding the vertical distance the sewage is being pumped from where the pump sits to where it is being discharged and the friction losses through the piping. If you need help selecting the right pump, please give us a call.
How do I make sure my pump is working?
If your pump is using a piggyback float (or not directly wired into the motor) unplug it and plug your pump directly into the outlet. The pump should start up right away. Do not let it run for more than a minute or so as it may overheat. To test the float switch, or if your pump has a float switch incorporated into the motor, use a stick or another nonconductive device to lift the float into the “on” position.
Do I need a check valve?
Yes. A check valve is a valve that only lets liquid flow in one direction. The check valve should be 12 to 18 inches above the pumps discharge and not plumbed directly into the pump discharge opening. This is done to prevent liquid from flowing back into the basin and causing the pump to rapid cycle.
Do I need an alarm?
A tank alert alarm will sound an audible alarm when your pump stops working. Options also include battery backup and Wi-Fi compatibility that will notify you via text and/or email when an alarm condition occurs.
How often do I need to pump my septic tank?
It is important to measure the levels of sludge and scum in the tank. The sludge is the layer that forms when the solids fall to the bottom and the scum, typically oils and greases, is the layer that floats to the top of the tank. The measurements will help a homeowner make an informed decision on the right time to pump the tank. For the natural biological breakdown of solids to occur most efficiently in a septic it takes a little time for the scum and sludge layers to form. An anaerobic bacteria colony will also form that help breakdown solids. Pumping the tank too frequently can interfere with this natural process occurring in the tank.
Where do I find the nameplate?
The nameplate can typically be found on the top of the pump, this includes information you may need such as date of manufacture, model number, horsepower, voltage, etc.
What is the difference between automatic and manual?
An automatic pump will include a switch that will turn the pump on and off based on the liquid level being pumped. An automatic pump with a tethered float will turn on when the float and liquid rise to a certain high level and turn off when the liquid and float reach a certain low level. A manual pump does not come with a switch and is turned on manually or via a control panel.
What is a grinder pump?
A grinder is a pump with one or more macerating blades that grinds the sewage into a fine slurry so it can be more easily pumped (usually a long distances). To learn more about grinders see our blog post: Click here for 5 Reasons You Don’t Need A Grinder Pump
Click the links below for more Sewage Pump info on our YouTube Channel:
How to Select a Sewage Pump
8 Things Sewage Pump Owners NEED to Know