Sump Pumps

Sewage Sump Tanks

Sump tanks or sump basins are usually installed in the basement of a home with a septic tank or in the sub-basement of an industrial building when a link to a gravity drainage system is not possible. They are a pre-manufactured basin or tank equipped with a water and air tight cover. Sump tanks also have apertures for a fresh air vent, pump discharge, sewage inlet and electrical connections to the float and pump. It usually comes with a sump pump made of heavy duty cast iron that can withstand being buried in raw sewage.

Since sump pumps are mechanically operated they have a higher probability of failure than a gravity drainage system and should only be considered when there is no other way to link the building’s sewer system to existing drainage.

We at Rooter-Man have the experience and the expertise to install, pump out, clean and perform regular maintenance on residential and commercial sump tanks. To find a location near you that can install or repair your sewage sump tank call us at 866-577-1221.

Installation and components of a residential sewage sump tank

A sump tank is typically located at the lowest level of a basement, accessible, and close to the fixture being served, with the cover flattened on the finished floor. It could be made of tile, steel, clay, concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass and could vary in size depending on its usage. A standard sump tank for a home would be around 2 to 3 feet deep and 18 inches in diameter.

To install a residential sump tank, it should satisfy all plumbing inspection and permit requirements for health and safety and should also conform to the requirements of local plumbing codes.

Components of a sump tank system:

• Sump pump – is a motorized or electric device that is used to pump out water from the sump tank.
• Sump pump float – is a component of a sump tank assembly that signals the motor of the pump to start and stop working depending on the water level in the sump pump pit as its indicator. It works like a ball that floats on water. When the level of the water rises, the sump pump float also rises until it reaches to a level that will trigger the sump pump switch to be activated and the pump to drain off the water.
• Sump pump float switch – it is the component of a sump pump that activates the sump pump to pump off water out of the sump tank to prevent flooding. Normally it is the part of a sump pump that breaks easily.
• Discharge piping – this is a component of a sump tank that drains the tank out to where it connects to a gravity drainage system

If you need a sewage sump tank system installed, repaired or maintained you can call Rooter-Man at 866-577-1221. We are a full-service plumbing company with 40 years of experience in all types of plumbing and drainage work.