WE PROVIDE 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
WE PROVIDE 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
PLUMBING & DRAIN SERVICES IN BARRIE
If your sewage pump is doing its job, you will most likely not think about it. All you know is that your waste goes into the system and somewhere the pump is pushing it to where it needs to go.
You’ll know something has gone wrong when your sewage pump fails. Your basement toilet may not flush all the way down, wastewater could begin backing up or you may hear alarms and strange noises coming from your sewage pit.
At Sureflow Plumbing & Drain, we offer sewage pump services in Barrie. Whether it’s for your home or business, we can inspect your sewage pump and figure out what may be going wrong. We can repair, replace or install a new pump if needed.
There are times when wastewater is unable to flow away from your property using gravity. This usually occurs when plumbing fixtures are located below your main drain line or municipal sewer connection.
Your sewage pump gathers wastewater in a basin and pushes it up to the drainage line. Since the pump may be moving waste from toilets and other plumbing fixtures, you want to make sure the system stays in working order.
Sureflow offers sewage pump repair, replacement, installation and troubleshooting for applicable systems.
A sewage pump takes wastewater from plumbing located below the main sewer line and pushes it up to the drainage system. It allows basement fixtures to work when the waste cannot drain naturally by gravity.
Usually, the sewage pump sits inside a sewage basin. When wastewater flows into the pit, the level rises until the pump turns on and pushes the waste through the discharge line. Once the level drops, the pump shuts off until it is needed again.
Although a sewage pump and sump pump may both be found in the basement of your home, they serve very different purposes. A sump pump usually removes groundwater or rainwater that has entered a sump pit and helps prevent flooding or water buildup around the foundation.
A sewage pump handles wastewater from your home’s plumbing. This can include toilet waste and wastewater from bathrooms or other fixtures located below the main sewer line.
If your sump pit is filling with groundwater, you probably need sump pump service. If toilets and other basement fixtures rely on a pump to move wastewater into the sewer line, you most likely have a sewage pump.
Another name commonly used for a sewage pump is a sewage ejector pump. These systems are used to lift sewage or wastewater from below the main drain line of your home or building.
They can be used when a basement bathroom, laundry area or other plumbing is installed below grade. No matter what you call it, the pump and basin should be sized properly and suited to the plumbing system they are serving.
There are several things you can look for when your sewage pump starts acting up. Sometimes the pump itself begins behaving differently, while other times the first signs show up at the plumbing fixtures connected to it.
If your pump normally runs without any issues and you suddenly notice one or more of these symptoms, have the system checked before it stops working completely.
Stop using plumbing that relies on the sewage pump if the pump stops working. Every time you flush a toilet, run a sink or use another connected fixture, more wastewater enters the sewage basin.
If the pump cannot move that wastewater out of the basin, the level will continue to rise. The problem could involve the pump, electrical supply, float switch, controls or discharge line, so the cause should be identified before replacing the entire unit.
Your sewage pump should not normally run continuously. It should turn on when wastewater reaches a certain level and shut off after the basin has been pumped down.
If it keeps running, the float may be stuck, the pump may not be moving enough wastewater, the discharge line could have a restriction or wastewater may still be entering the basin faster than the pump can remove it.
Allowing your sewage pump to run constantly puts additional wear on the equipment. If the normal cycle has changed, find out why.
If your sewage pump will not turn on, the connected plumbing can begin backing up. You may have no power going to the pump, a broken float switch, a control problem or a failed pump.
It is worth checking the whole system before replacing the pump. Sometimes one failed component can prevent the pump from operating even though the pump itself is still usable.
All sewage pumps make some noise when they run, but a sudden change in sound is worth paying attention to. Grinding, rattling, humming or unusually loud operation can indicate something is happening inside the pump or discharge system.
The pump may also be struggling to move wastewater through the discharge line. If your sewage pump begins sounding different than usual, try not to wait until it completely quits working.
Some sewage pump systems include a high-water alarm. The alarm is there to warn you when the wastewater inside the basin has risen higher than normal and something may not be operating correctly.
Try not to use plumbing fixtures connected to the pump while the alarm is active. You do not want to continue flushing toilets or sending more water into a basin that may already be too full.
The alarm itself may be working perfectly. It may simply be warning you that the pump, float or discharge system needs service.
Your basement toilet could be one of the first places you notice a sewage pump problem. If the toilet relies on the sewage pump to move waste up to the main drain line, the toilet may stop working correctly when the pump fails.
It can begin draining slowly, refuse to flush properly or eventually back up. If several basement fixtures connected to the same sewage basin start having problems at the same time, the sewage pump system should be checked.
You should not normally smell sewage coming from a properly sealed sewage basin. If you notice sewage odours around the pump area, the lid, seals, venting or another part of the system may need attention.
It may not be the pump itself causing the smell. The complete sewage ejector system should be checked to find the source.
You don’t always need to replace your sewage pump. There could be an issue with the float switch, connections, check valve or discharge line while the pump itself remains in good condition.
We want to see what the actual problem is before jumping into replacement. There is no reason to replace a sewage pump if repairing another component will solve the issue.
Sometimes it makes more sense to replace a sewage pump than continue trying to repair it. If the pump is damaged beyond repair, needs constant attention or can no longer keep up with the amount of wastewater entering the basin, replacement may be worth considering.
You should also look at why the system failed. If the real problem is an undersized or restricted discharge line, failed check valve or another surrounding component, installing a new pump alone may not solve the problem.
Installing a sewage pump involves more than simply dropping a new pump into the pit. The system has to collect wastewater from the lower-level plumbing and move it into the drainage system at the right time.
The basin, pump, discharge piping, venting, check valve and controls all play a role. The pump size also depends on what fixtures are connected to the system. A basement powder room will not use the pump the same way as a full bathroom, laundry area or secondary suite.
Many people find they need a sewage pump when they want to install a bathroom in the basement. If those fixtures are below the point where the main drain exits the house, there may not be enough elevation for wastewater to drain naturally by gravity.
A sewage ejector system allows the wastewater to be collected and pumped upward into the main drainage system. This can give you more options when adding plumbing to a lower level.
When building a basement bathroom, it is best to consider how the sewage will drain before the room is finished.
If you are adding a bathroom to your basement, it is best to know how it will drain before flooring and drywall are installed. Depending on the elevation of the existing rough-in and main building drain, you may or may not need a sewage pump system.
Planning the drainage early makes it easier to design the plumbing properly instead of trying to solve the problem after the basement has already been finished.
A basement apartment can put more demand on a sewage pump than a bathroom that is used only occasionally. A second suite may have a toilet, shower, bathroom sink, kitchen sink and other fixtures all sending wastewater into the same system.
The basin and pump need to be suited to what the apartment requires. If the existing sewage pump was originally installed for only one fixture, adding several more may change what the system needs to handle.
Your laundry can also be situated below the main sewer line. If the washing machine or laundry sink drains into a sewage ejector system, you need to consider how much wastewater can enter the basin in a short period of time.
A washing machine can discharge a significant amount of water quickly. Make sure the sewage pump is sized for the actual application rather than simply buying another pump because it fits the old system.
When a sewage pump pushes wastewater up through the discharge line, you want that waste to remain on the other side after the pump shuts off. A check valve helps prevent wastewater from travelling back toward the basin.
If the check valve is not working properly, wastewater can fall back down the discharge line after each cycle. This can cause the pump to cycle more often than necessary and wear out faster.
If you notice wastewater returning toward the basin or the pump cycling repeatedly, the discharge system and check valve may need to be inspected.
The float switch determines when your sewage pump should turn on. When wastewater reaches a certain level inside the basin, the float activates the pump so it can begin removing the waste.
If the float becomes stuck or stops working, the pump may not turn on at all. It can also create the opposite problem and cause the pump to continue running when it should shut off.
Something as simple as a float problem can affect the entire sewage system.
Once the sewage pump is running, wastewater travels through the discharge line and into the building’s drainage system. If there is a restriction in that line, the pump may run without moving wastewater effectively.
The pump may begin cycling more frequently and fail to empty the basin properly. Similar to a check-valve problem, a discharge issue can make it look like the pump itself has failed when the real problem is somewhere else in the system.
Your sewage pump basin is where wastewater collects until the pump is ready to move it out. Because the basin holds sewage, it should remain closed and properly sealed.
The lid, piping connections and venting are all part of the system. If the basin becomes damaged, unsealed or modified, you could begin experiencing sewage smells or other problems around the pump area.
A sewage basin should not be treated like an open sump pit.
When a sewage pump cycles more frequently than normal, there can be several possible reasons. Wastewater may simply be entering the basin more often, but the float, check valve or discharge line can also cause repeated cycling.
If sewage falls back into the basin after the pump shuts off, the float may trigger another cycle shortly afterward. If your pump starts running much more often even though nothing has changed with how you use your plumbing, have the system checked.
Your sewage basin can overflow if wastewater continues entering the system while the pump is unable to remove it. This can lead to sewage backing up into the basement or around the pump area.
Because this water contains sewage, it should not be treated the same as a clean-water leak. If you believe your sewage pump is not working, stop using plumbing that feeds into the system until the problem can be addressed.
Continuing to put more wastewater down the drains can make the situation much worse.
A failed sewage pump can become an emergency when sewage starts backing up or the basin is close to overflowing. Once the pump stops working, continued use of toilets, sinks and other connected plumbing can fill the basin quickly.
This can happen especially fast in a basement apartment or commercial property where several people may be using the plumbing. Sureflow offers 24-hour emergency plumbing service for urgent situations. If sewage is backing up or the system cannot be used safely, contact us.
The first thing you want to do is limit the amount of wastewater entering the system.
Wastewater can pose a sanitation hazard, and some pump systems also contain electrical components. Avoid taking unnecessary risks around the basin.
A sewage pump failure and a main sewer backup can sometimes produce similar symptoms. If only the fixtures that drain into the sewage pump are affected, the sewage ejector system may be causing the problem.
If drains throughout the property are backing up, including fixtures that do not rely on the sewage pump, the problem may involve the main drain or sewer line instead. Identifying which fixtures are affected can help point you in the right direction.
Like any other mechanical device, a sewage pump should not be forgotten just because it is hidden inside a basin. Checking on the system occasionally can help you notice changes in how it operates.
Pay attention to unusual noises, longer pump cycles, frequent cycling, alarms or sewage smells around the basin. How much maintenance is appropriate will depend on the pump and how heavily the system is used.
A pump serving a busy basement apartment will probably operate much more often than one serving a bathroom that is rarely used.
There is no definite lifespan that applies to every sewage pump. Frequency of use, wastewater contents, the discharge system and how the pump was installed can all affect how long it remains reliable.
Your sewage pump should not necessarily be replaced just because it reaches a certain age. Look at the system as a whole. If the pump begins failing repeatedly, making unusual noises or struggling to keep up, it may be time to investigate further.
Just because a pump is designed to handle sewage does not mean anything can be flushed into the plumbing. Materials that do not break down properly can create blockages or interfere with the pump.
Wipes are one example of something that can create problems throughout a drainage system. Use toilets for their intended purpose and avoid treating the sewage pump like a waste-disposal system.
Sureflow offers residential sewage pump service throughout Barrie. Your home may have a sewage pump if you have a basement bathroom, finished basement, secondary suite or other plumbing located below the main sewer connection.
If your sewage pump begins acting up, we can inspect the system to determine what may be going on. The pump may need repair or replacement, or the problem could involve another part of the sewage ejector system.
Commercial buildings can also require sewage pumps when plumbing fixtures are located below the main sewer line. A commercial sewage pump may serve washrooms, employee areas, tenant spaces or other lower-level plumbing.
A commercial pump failure can affect many people and interfere with normal business operations. Make sure the pump is suited to the amount of wastewater the building produces and have it checked if you notice signs of failure before the system backs up.
Multi-unit buildings can place a significant load on pumping equipment. When several fixtures or units depend on one pump, the equipment may cycle many times throughout the day.
A failure can potentially affect several occupants at the same time. Property managers should know where sewage pump systems are located and what areas they serve.
If several people begin reporting slow drains or backups in the same lower part of the building, the sewage pump may be one part of the system worth inspecting.
Commercial renovations can create new plumbing below the level of the main drain. Maybe the building needs another washroom, kitchen or plumbing fixtures installed in a lower part of the property.
If gravity drainage is not available, a sewage pump system may be required. Knowing what fixtures will drain into the system helps determine what type of pump and basin may be appropriate.
You have to see what is actually failing before deciding whether repair or replacement is needed. If one component can be replaced and the pump is otherwise working properly, repair may make sense.
If the pump itself is failing and needs repeated repairs, replacement may be the better option. You also need to look at what surrounds the pump because there is little point installing a new pump if the real issue is with the discharge line, float, check valve or connected piping.
When you call us with a sewage pump issue, we want to understand what is happening. Is the pump running? Is an alarm going off? Are fixtures backing up? Do you smell sewage? Is the system serving a bathroom, basement apartment or commercial building?
These details can help us figure out what part of the system may need to be inspected. Please let us know immediately if sewage is actively backing up into your fixtures.
If your home or business has a sewage pump, the plumbing below the main sewer connection relies on that pump to move wastewater uphill into the drainage system. Once the pump fails, those fixtures may no longer be usable and eventually sewage can begin backing up into the property.
Sureflow Plumbing & Drain offers sewage pump repair, replacement and installation in Barrie. We can inspect the pump, float, discharge line, check valve and other parts of the sewage ejector system to determine what may need attention.
If your sewage pump fails or you have wastewater backing up into the property, Sureflow also offers 24-hour emergency plumbing service.
Contact Sureflow Plumbing & Drain at 705-503-7996 for sewage pump service in Barrie.
A sewage pump moves wastewater from plumbing located below the main sewer line. The wastewater collects inside a sealed basin until the pump turns on and pushes it into the drainage system.
No. Sump pumps generally move groundwater or rainwater, while sewage pumps handle wastewater from plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks and other lower-level plumbing.
There can be several reasons. The float may be stuck, there may be a problem with the power supply, the discharge line could be restricted or the pump itself may have failed. Have the system checked before assuming the pump needs replacement.
A constantly running sewage pump may have a float problem, difficulty moving wastewater or an issue with the discharge line or check valve. Wastewater flowing back into the basin can also cause the pump to cycle repeatedly.
It depends on how the plumbing is routed. If the basement bathroom is below the elevation where wastewater can drain into the main sewer line by gravity, a sewage pump may be required.
Yes. If the sewage pump fails while the basin continues filling with wastewater, sewage can eventually back up or overflow into the property.
Yes. Sureflow provides sewage pump service in Barrie and can inspect problems involving the pump and surrounding sewage ejector system.
Sureflow can provide sewage pump installation and service for applicable residential and commercial plumbing systems.
Yes. Sureflow provides 24-hour emergency plumbing service for urgent plumbing problems, including situations where wastewater is backing up and the sewage pump system is not operating properly.
