A sewage pump, also known as a sanitary sump pump, is different from a drainage sump pump because it helps the wastewater in your drains exit your home properly. A sewage pump is obviously a vital part of the working order of a home where it is installed, but homeowners often do not think about it until there is a problem to fix. With proper maintenance, however, costly sewage pump problems and repairs can be avoided. Here are a few tips for maintaining your sewage pump:
Regular Maintenance
Keep the drain clear. Avoid allowing hair, grease, diapers, paper towels, cigarettes or large food scraps from going down the drain. It is also better to avoid automatic toilet bowl cleaners or deodorizers that can also clog drains and lead to sewage backups and problems later on.
Conserve water. Limit the amount of water that is flowing through your drains in order to avoid flooding sewage drain areas. This means taking reasonable showers, fixing any leaky toilets or fixtures immediately, and limiting loads of laundry to just two per day.
Use liquid detergents. Avoid using powered detergents because they can build up and clog pipes. Opt instead for liquid detergents and dish soaps, and use dryer sheets instead of fabric softeners.
Keep runoff away. Direct all runoff water from roofs, driveways, and streets away from the sewage system, and make sure any sprinkler system is installed at least 10 feet away from sewage systems. If you need to drain a pool, hot tub, or water softener, do it facing away from sewage systems and any storm drains.
Plant carefully. Avoid landscaping in the area near a sewage system, and keep deep-rooting plants even further away. The roots from plants can wreak havoc on sewage pumps and other sewage system items, so keep your yard beautification projects well away from any sewage items.
Be aware. Make sure you know exactly where all the parts of your sewage system are located so you can avoid building, planting, or placing anything on top of them. If you rent property with a sewage pump, be sure the renters have clear plans that include the location of the pump and other sewage items so they can act safely around them.
Conserve water. Limit the amount of water that is flowing through your drains in order to avoid flooding sewage drain areas. This means taking reasonable showers, fixing any leaky toilets or fixtures immediately, and limiting loads of laundry to just two per day.
Use liquid detergents. Avoid using powered detergents because they can build up and clog pipes. Opt instead for liquid detergents and dish soaps, and use dryer sheets instead of fabric softeners.
Keep runoff away. Direct all runoff water from roofs, driveways, and streets away from the sewage system, and make sure any sprinkler system is installed at least 10 feet away from sewage systems. If you need to drain a pool, hot tub, or water softener, do it facing away from sewage systems and any storm drains.
Plant carefully. Avoid landscaping in the area near a sewage system, and keep deep-rooting plants even further away. The roots from plants can wreak havoc on sewage pumps and other sewage system items, so keep your yard beautification projects well away from any sewage items.
Be aware. Make sure you know exactly where all the parts of your sewage system are located so you can avoid building, planting, or placing anything on top of them. If you rent property with a sewage pump, be sure the renters have clear plans that include the location of the pump and other sewage items so they can act safely around them.
Monthly Maintenance
Regularly clean the suction screen. Every month, be sure to check the screen on the sewage pump for any sort of trash, debris or solid waste buildup. When the screen becomes clogged, it prevents the pump and motor from properly cooling, which can cause the pump to overheat. Removing this gunk, even small bits of debris, means a more efficient sewage pump and less chance of needing repairs.
Make sure your circuit breaker is the right size. If you have a sewage pump that is marked for 15 amps, then go with a 20-amp circuit breaker. If you use a circuit that is too large, it will not trip off the power when the pump overheats and could lead to damage to the pump itself.
Check for electrical splices. The power lead that begins at the sewage pump and extends to the electrical connections should not have any spliced connection points. A spliced connection that becomes submerged in water can short out the power and could even cause the pump to burn up. Avoid this by checking once each month for spliced electrical wires.
Make sure your circuit breaker is the right size. If you have a sewage pump that is marked for 15 amps, then go with a 20-amp circuit breaker. If you use a circuit that is too large, it will not trip off the power when the pump overheats and could lead to damage to the pump itself.
Check for electrical splices. The power lead that begins at the sewage pump and extends to the electrical connections should not have any spliced connection points. A spliced connection that becomes submerged in water can short out the power and could even cause the pump to burn up. Avoid this by checking once each month for spliced electrical wires.
Annual Maintenance
Call a licensed professional to come out and inspect your sewage pump and any other plumbing equipment or systems at least once per year. The problems that professionals alert you to could mean a lot of hassle and money saved down the road!