What Is A Sewage Pump System?

The Sewage Pump System pushes waste from underground areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms to the main sewage pipeline at the street level. When there is no suitable outlet for a longer sewage pipeline, you can also use a sewage pump system. We interviewed Jack, a technical engineer at Jiushi Pump Industry, to learn more detailed information about the working principle, available types, and installation of sewage pump systems.

How does a sewage pump work?

A sewage pump (also known as a jet pump) has a water tank or basin used to collect sewage from your home. When the sewage reaches a certain level, the pump will start and push it up the mountain into your home's main sewer. Then gravity takes over and the sewage flows towards the city pipes or septic tanks on the street. If the pump malfunctions, the warning light will light up so that you will not continue to use the affected bathroom, causing sewage and water to flow back into your home.

Residential sewage pumps can adopt single tank or double tank systems. If one of the two water tanks malfunctions, the other tank will continue to pump water. According to JUSH Jack, a single tank system is sufficient to meet the needs of most single family homes. Duplex or multi family homes typically use a dual tank system.

What are the different types of sewage pumps?

There are two main types of Household Sewage Pumps used in households - one with a grinder and the other without. The grinder is like a garbage disposer installed in a pump. It can crush waste that usually clogs pipes, causing backflow and water damage, which your home insurance may not cover. But the grinding pump is more expensive and may not be necessary for most homeowners. In an ideal situation, if you have a pump and have not excessively rinsed it with toilet paper [or] thrown foreign objects into the sewer, then a pump without a grinder can function properly, "JUSH Jack said.

According to JUSH Jack, for rental properties, people tend to throw things they shouldn't throw into the toilet, and a grinding pump may be a good choice. However, if your builder connects your sewage pump system to a septic tank, you need to avoid using grinding pumps. The septic tank system separates solid waste (left in the water tank) from liquid waste (seeping into the ground). After the grinder grinds everything, solids and liquids will not separate.

Whether you choose a pump with or without a grinder, households with more users and darker toilets require pumps of better quality and greater horsepower. JUSH Jack pointed out that it is very important to choose a reputable manufacturer to provide warranty for the model.

How to install a sewage pump?

You may need to consult a professional to ensure that your sewage pump system is installed correctly and in compliance with regulations. As piping and electrical are part of this process, you may need to apply for a permit and undergo city inspections for your property. Please install the sewage pump according to the following steps:

1. Dig a pit in the basement or outdoors to place a water pump.

2. Place the sewage pump into the hole.

3. Connect the pump to the sewer pipeline.

4. Connect the wires from the distribution board to the sewage pump. It should have a dedicated circuit breaker so that if other circuits trip, it will not stop working.

If you have a household generator, please connect the sewage pump to the generator so that the bathroom can be used in the event of a power outage.

Now you know what a sewage pump system is, how it works, and when professional personnel need to be hired to handle any issues. You may also want to learn more about different types of water pumps and how they protect your house from water damage.