Admit it, no-one ever wants to think about sewage in their home! Centuries ago people had chamber pots that were flung onto the street and even onto passers-by. Gross!
Today, thank goodness there's sewage pumps! They do the dirty work of handling waste day in and day out.
In fact, sewage pumps may not get the credit they deserve because they carry away this bubbling toxic ooze by pumping it out to a septic tank or city sanitary system without you ever seeing, touching, or smelling it.
Sewage Ejector Pump vs Sump Pump
What separates sewage pumps from ordinary sump pumps is their ability to handle solids.
Although they're not designed to pump large volumes at a time, sewage pumps are built with heavy-duty materials and components to withstand the worst elements.
There are two primary applications for sewage pumps:
Basement Bathrooms
The most common application for sewage pumps is the installation of a bathroom in the basement. Because the basement is below grade, or situated below the sewage line entrance (usually about 4 feet below the house), the pump is needed to get waste and water out of the house.
Once you have a sewage pit dug out in your basement, the installation is very similar to a traditional sump pump. The main difference is you will need a vent pipe running out of your home to remove the gas and odor that occurs as a result of waste.
Sewage pumps are can have 2-3 times the output of a regular sump pump, but they aren't intended for the same purpose. They are designed to run less often, but have more torque and power to eject water with solids or debris, as opposed to pumping clear water.
Septic Systems
For homeowners without access to public sewers, a septic field is the other option. In this case, a sewage pump is used to help break down and pump waste out of the house, into the septic tank where it is later emptied by a septic service.
Look for a pump constructed of cast-iron with a reliable switch. This heavy-duty material should ensure a long and reliable life for your sewage pump. If you've ever installed one you know it can be a dirty, smelly job, so the less often you need to do it, the better.
Sewage pumps are great for this application because they have a larger intake to pass solids.
