MAINTENANCE DO's and DON'Ts

Low Pressure Sewer System Operation & Maintenance Reference Guide

Homeowners can extend the life of their low-pressure sewer system and avoid costly repairs and maintenance services by following these tips…

• DO run water for 10 - 15 minutes prior to leaving on vacations of seven days or longer. This will flush your system and remove any waste from stagnating in your pump station for a long period of time.

• DO use low-sudsing detergents for laundry and dishwashers.

• DO use cleaning products that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-corrosive.

• DO NOT attempt to operate or perform maintenance on the grinder pump or control panel. There is risk of electrical shock and other public health and safety hazards. If a problem occurs, contact the 24-Hour Service Phone Number for the Licensed Plumber that installed the pump station package.

• DO NOT pour grease or oil down drains. Grease such as cooking oils, tallow, bacon grease, etc. will harden in the lines, and on the float switches, causing the pumps not to work. A half-cup of bleach per week poured down the drain, followed by a gallon of water, may help reduce the grease build-up in the system.

• DO NOT flush non-biodegradable items down drains. Items such as cigarette butts, dental floss, Q-tips, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or condoms can clog the pump and pipes.

• DO NOT flush rigid or gritty materials down drains. Items such as cat litter, coffee grounds, chicken bones, egg shells, fish scales, etc. will cause the pump components to wear out faster -leading to pump failure. Limit the materials you put through a garbage disposal to edible food products only.

• DO NOT pour flammable or volatile liquids down drains. Items such as gas, waste oil, and thinners can cause a pump to explode. It is illegal to dispose of these items in the sewer system.

• DO NOT pour household chemicals down drains. Items such as paint, pesticides, herbicides, strong cleaning products, or other toxic chemicals can damage the pump and cause problems with the public wastewater treatment system.

Remember, most sanitary sewer blockages occur between the house and the City's main. Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket or a garbage can. A good rule is to use the trash can whenever possible. Place a small waste basket in each bathroom to discourage using the toilet as a trash can. Consider starting a compost pile if you do not already have one. Start with lawn clippings, garden rubbish and food scraps, and use the compost to fertilize your garden.

Also, if you have a problem with your system, remember to call a professional plumber and do not attempt to work on your pump or electrical panel yourself.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ALARM

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE WETWELL, OR PULL THE PUMP, IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

1.   Discontinue the use of all plumbing fixtures and appliances.

2.   Locate Pump Station Control Panel and silence the alarm.

3.   Check the electrical control panel to be sure the circuit breaker for the grinder pump is "ON" and not tripped.

4.   Listen for a "humming" noise from the pump station wetwell.

a.   If you detect a "humming" noise, but the liquid level in your pump station does not go down, there is a problem with your pump.

                                                 i.    Turn off the breaker to the pump.

                                                ii.    Contact the 24-Hour Service Phone Number for the Licensed Plumber that installed the pump station package.

b.   If you do not detect a "humming" noise, or the fuses/circuit breakers are tripped again, there is a problem with your pump or control panel.

                                                 i.    Turn off the breaker to the pump.

                                                ii.    Contact the 24-Hour Service Phone Number for the Licensed Plumber that installed the pump station package.

Often, a Licensed Plumber can assess the cause of the alarm over the phone to determine whether an immediate response is necessary, or whether it can wait until normal working hours. This avoids an overtime cost, which ultimately is passed on to the homeowners. If you have an overflow situation, the Plumber should respond immediately.

!! WARNING !!

DOMESTIC SEWAGE CAN PRODUCE GASSES THAT ARE HARMFUL AND POTENTIALLY FATAL.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER WETWELL. CONTACT A LICENSED PLUMBER IF A PROBLEMOCCURS. IF YOU DECIDE TO OPEN THE LID TO THE WETWELL, ALLOW THE LID TO REMIANOPEN AND VENT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE LOOKING IN. NEVER STICK YOU HEAD INTOTHE WETWELL. USE A FLASHLIGHT, IF NECESSARY TO MAKE ANY OBSERVATIONS.