Improving My Business

Posted on: 21 November 2017

In a typical residential or commercial sewage system, wastewater naturally flows away from a building and towards the municipal sewer system through pipes as a result of gravity. In some cases, however, the way a building is positioned doesn't allow sewage to flow in this way, and a lift station is necessary. A lift station helps pump wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. Lift stations are convenient, but they do require some routine maintenance. Here are a few tips for keeping your lift station working effectively:

Schedule Routine Inspections

Your lift station is made from many complex parts, including a wet well where wastewater is stored before it is pumped away from the lift station, various valves, floats, and motors. Because these components are under constant use, they can wear out and break down over time, and your lift station can also become clogged.

For these reasons, it is very important to have your lift station professionally inspected as often as recommended by your manufacturer. Pre-scheduling inspections on an annual, biannual, or even quarterly basis will ensure that any problems are found quickly and repairs are made before issues become more serious.

Have Your Lift Station Cleaned

In addition to being inspected regularly, lift stations need to be cleaned every few months or so. If your lift station isn't cleaned regularly, grease and waste will accumulate on the sides, internal walls, and various components of your wet well. This can easily lead to clogs, backed up drains, and even sewage and wastewater escaping the lift station and contaminating your property.

Luckily, it is relatively simple to clean your lift station. You can either hire a professional company to tackle this for you, or you can purchase lift station cleaner and drop it into the wet well following the instructions that come with the cleaner.

Empty Your Lift Station Once or Twice a Year

Most lift station manufacturers recommend pumping out the lift station to entirely empty it at least once a year. This task should be left to a professional lift station cleaning and maintenance company. Pumping out all of the waste gives your lift station a bit of a reset and a fresh start, eliminating any accumulated waste that your lift station cleaning solution wasn't quite able to tackle.

By following these tips and maintaining your lift station properly, you will be able to avoid clogs, breakdowns, and other lift station malfunctions.