If you have an elevated leach field, you have an effluent pump. Effluent pumps are different than sewage pumps that eject water and solids from basement plumbing fixtures. Those units are tied into the internal plumbing of the house, and must be repaired and maintained by a licensed plumber. The effluent pump, or “lift pump”, sits inside a chamber of the septic tank and pumps graywater up to the effluent dispersal area, or leach field.
These pumps are very durable. If well-maintained, they last a long time. If not, you may need our septic pump repair services!
A failed effluent pump could be a septic emergency. Your elevated leach field is higher than the inlet pipe to the septic tank. Sewage can travel back into your basement. Although there is a check valve after the pump to prevent this from happening, your tank will eventually fill and backup. Fortunately, effluent pumps have an alarm that tells you that the pump is not operating. If you hear the alarm, call Maznek Septic Service immediately!
Repair or replace? Generally, effluent pumps last about 10-15 years; depending on how hard the pump has to work to push graywater up to your leach field, and how frequently the tank fills. It’s probably better to replace effluent pump that’s near the end of its life, rather than repair it.
Floats and alarms. The problem with your effluent pump may not be the pump at all. There are high-water sensors and low-water sensors in the pump chamber that cycle the pump on and off. This is the first thing we check. It’s a lot easier – and less expensive – to replace a float than to replace a pump!
Elevated leach fields require extra care to keep them running in top shape. Our septic tank maintenance programs are second to none and designed to help you get the maximum benefit out of your home’s septic system.
Effluent pumps are so important to an elevated leach field system that we include checking pump operation and chamber clean out during our routine pumping service. To get the most out of your septic system, call Maznek Septic Service today!