A septic pump serves the basic function of sending waste from the septic tank to the drain field. If gravity is already accomplishing this, there is no need for one. If the drain field is at a higher elevation, however, a septic pump is vital.

What They Are

A septic pump is almost always a submersible pump. Its location in the system can be inside the tank itself or in a separate compartment between the tank and the drain field. If the septic tank has only one chamber, then it’s best to have the pump outside the entire tank. However, if the tank has two or more chambers, the pump can sit in the final one to give liquid the momentum it needs.

The basic principle is that when the liquid in the tank rises to a certain level, it flips a switch that turns on the pump, which then performs its function of moving the liquid to the higher elevation. More specifically, the motor of the pump turns a rotor called the impeller to create the pressure that moves the thick liquid along.

Once the level of the liquid goes down again, it turns the pump off. The process repeats depending on how much liquid is put into tank from the home.

There is usually a second switch above the pump that is triggered only when the liquid rises to a dangerous height. This sets off an alarm indicating that something is wrong, and the pump is no longer functional. It’s a similar concept to the extra drain that prevents sink overflows.

Septic pumps eventually need replacing. But regular inspection and maintenance, along with annual pumping, can go a long way toward extending their life.

When and Why They Are Necessary

Sometimes, the problem is sending waste from fixtures in the basement of the house below the main sewer line out to the septic tank itself. This is another situation that makes a septic pump necessary.

In other situations, the terrain is simply too flat to have the drain field downhill from the septic tank, so a septic pump is necessary to prevent the liquid from standing and pooling in the pipe. Finally, some sophisticated septic systems can do without pumps but use them to move liquid along at specific, even intervals.

Of course, designing the system so that gravity does the job instead of a pump is ideal, but sometimes the mistake has already been made, or the terrain and home design have made this impossible. In these cases, it’s best to pay for a septic pump. If you live in Tampa, FL or a surrounding area and need septic pump services, make your first call to Tampa Septic Company.