A: A sewage pump is obviously for wastewater design. It can be a standard non-clog, a grinder pump, or it can be a small effluent pump. Anything that’s pumping water out of the lift station. It can be a small commercial, large industrial, or municipal lift station that’s pushing it to a water treatment plant. The end-use is to get rid of wastewater from homes, businesses, schools, and whatnot.
In simpler terms, a sewage pump is a device that is used to move wastewater from your home to your sewer system. The sewage pump is going to be installed at the lowest point of the basin. Due to that fact, the pump remains underwater most of the time. Therefore, sewage pumps are also called a submersible sewage pump. These pumps come in manual, automatic, or dual-mode. In an automatic configuration, the pump is connected to a float switch which tells the pump when to turn on based on wastewater levels. In a manual configuration, the switch has to be activated manually and does not trigger based on levels. This can easily result in sewage overflow if you aren’t turning on the pump regularly. That’s why an automatic pump is the most ideal setup since it prevents this from happening to you.
Sewage pumps are centrifugal function pumps, meaning they use an impeller that rotates to create the centrifugal force to create pressure. This pressure is what forces the water into the impeller and on through the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe, usually about 2 inches in diameter, then connects to the main sewer line. They are designed in such a way that allows soft solids to pass through without causing the pump to clog. The pump housing contains the motor as well as the impeller.
Sewage Pump Designs
There are quite a few manufacturers of sewage pumps of which Liberty Pumps and Zoeller tend to be our bestsellers. Within those and other brands, there are three main types of sewage pump designs.
Effluent Pumps – These pumps are most often found in smaller, on-site setups such as rural homes or farmhouses. Effluent is waste that has been broken down from solid and liquid combo to pure liquid. Septic tanks have special enzymes added to the tank that breaks down waste solids into a relatively clear liquid. Effluent pumps are used to pump that liquid out of the septic tank. They can pump at a higher level and more volume since they don’t have to deal with waste solids.
Ejector Pumps – These pumps, also called solid handling pumps are made for handling raw sewage that includes substantial solids. Raw sewage is heavily comprised of solids such as toilet paper, human waste, and other solids. Most pumps can’t handle all that solid waste so ejector pumps should be the only type used when raw sewage is involved.
Grinder Pumps – Now, an exception to most pumps regarding handling solids is a grinder pump. It can be thought of as a hybrid of a sewage pump and garbage disposal. This is because a grinder pump also incorporates rotating blades that chop and grind solids into exceedingly small pieces. These smaller particles make it possible for them to pump out with effluent.
Benefits Of A Sewage Pump
Sewage pumps are designed to remove wastewater from low lying areas such as a basement where water builds up. It pumps it up and out into the wastewater system of the house or building it is installed in. Of course, the concept is a very elementary one however, the installation itself is significantly more complex. The benefit they pose is that they save homeowners and property managers thousands of dollars in damage from mishaps such as:
- Flood Damage – When hurricanes and other weather systems dump tons of water in a short period, flooding is a real possibility. Basements, since they are usually located at or below ground level, tend to take on lots of water when this happens. It’s not unrealistic for your basement to end up with over 12 inches of water quite quickly. However, with a sewage pump, that crisis can be averted—protecting your foundation and any valuables in the basement.
- Mold and Mildew Growth – When you have constant moisture and humidity inside a basement from stagnant water pools—mold and mildew develop. This is not only detrimental to drywall and wood but your respiratory health as well. If you have a sewage pump, you mitigate the chances of water build-up, reducing the chance of mold and mildew growth.
- Fire – If you get water buildup in the basement it will short out appliances such as washer and dryers or your water heater. Aside from having to replace these household appliances, the short can also trigger a fire. However, with a sewage pump, again—no water build-up, so you avoid the possibility of electrical fires.
Buying And Ownership Tips
Whether you’re shopping online for a new sewage pump or you’ve just installed your first pump, there’s some tips you should know. Tips about purchasing a pump, and tips when owning one.
- Check The Pressure. When you first install the pump immediately take a pressure reading. This will give you a benchmark guide if something goes awry. If you notice a drop in pressure inspect the system for bad check valves or pumps, and leaks.
- Maintain Pump Data. Keep it in a convenient location in case you need the model number and install date for warranty claims.
- Check The Warranty. No matter what pump you go with, one day, it may need to be replaced unexpectedly. You want to make sure the pump you buy has a smooth and trustworthy warranty that’s easy to process.
- Check For Upper Bearing. You can separate the top of the line pumps from the entry-level based on the upper bearing or lack thereof. When a pump has a bushing vs. an upper bearing, it’s a sure sign of low-quality design.
- Buy From Authorized Distributors. True pro quality grade pumps aren’t available at Home Depot or Lowes. Pro-grade pumps must be purchased by an authorized distributor such as Gulf Coast Pump & Supply.
- Learn Your System. Ask questions when purchasing, look online to see how your pump works and know who to contact if it fails. Having a deep knowledge of your pump will help you save money by avoiding unexpected emergencies.
- Be Careful What You Flush. Never flush anything but human waste and paper toilet tissue down your toilets. So-called “flushable wipes” aren’t flushable at all and can clog a pump quick!
Buy From Gulf Coast For The Best Quality
If you want to ensure you’re getting the best quality sewage pump, buy from Gulf Coast. We carry only the best in all pumps and related supplies. We only carry brands such as Zoeller, Liberty, Weil, and other reputable brands. Our highly experienced team will be happy to answer any questions and find the best solution for your project. Contact us today!