water pump impeller

What’s the Point of a Sewage Pump? Do I Need One?

What a Sewage Pump Does

For the majority of homes in residential areas, gravity does the work of moving solid waste and wastewater from a home down the sewer line and to the municipal sewer system located beneath the main street. But not all homes have the convenience of gravity on their side. The house may be located down a slope, or the sewer line emerges from a lower basement level that puts it beneath the sewer main. In these situations, the home needs a special pump with a motor that will push sewage against gravity and win the uphill battle to get to the sewer main.

Does Your Home Need One?

You may already have a sewage pump in place and don’t even realize it. If you don’t have one, you might wonder if it’s something that will benefit your home. The answer depends on where your house is located as well as the location of the sewer line. You’ll definitely need a sewage pump if your house is lower than the sewer line, although there are other warnings to watch for.

Signs You Might Need a Sewage Pump

Frequent Clogs and Blockages: You have drains that draw water out too slowly, or which get clogged too frequently. Although there are several possibilities for this problem, one is that the drainage system is fighting against gravity. Home’s Location: You may guess you’ll need a sump pump just based on where your home is located. If it’s down a hill from the main road or on a slope, it may have to push against gravity to move sewage to the sewer main. Local Regulation: Check with local authorities who deal with waste disposal. In some areas, you may be required to have a sewage pump installed.