A lift station is a pump station that moves wastewater from a lower to a higher elevation, where the wastewater can then be sent to a treatment facility. Lift stations are commonly found in commercial buildings’ basements or lower-level utility rooms, including healthcare facilities, schools, office buildings, corporate campuses, and apartment buildings, and ensure that the building’s septic system runs safely and efficiently.
What happens when lift stations break down?
Many commercial customers only know their lift station has a problem once the system fails. A lift station failing to work correctly can cause flooding, foul odors, mold growth, and other health issues, and fixing these issues can often be costly. The buildup of sewage can produce corrosive and toxic gases such as methane, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide, which cause serious health concerns and can damage pipes, pumps, valves, and the wet well itself.
Maintaining the lift station
Lift stations need regular maintenance to continue working correctly. Lift stations’ equipment components can wear out over time; sewer lines can clog and create backflow, causing the wastewater to flow in the reverse direction; and backflow can contaminate clean water lines and cause serious health concerns. Lift stations need regular maintenance to avoid issues such as these and continue to work correctly.
Local ordinances usually require an annual inspection to ensure backflow prevention devices function correctly. Lift stations are composed of many moving parts that will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. These parts include pumps, motors, power supplies, filters, piping, an odor control system, a ventilation system, and a high-water alarm system. To best take care of all these complex aspects, lift station maintenance is best left to professionals trained and licensed to install, repair, and test commercial lift station equipment.
McKenney’s Plumbing Services
With 35 years of experience, McKenney’s plumbing services has helped many commercial clients maintain their lift station equipment. Lift stations can last many years if well maintained. McKenney’s recommends that commercial lift stations be inspected and properly cleaned at least once a year to identify potential issues. Grease and other debris should be removed, and any needed repairs performed. Scheduled routine maintenance can save thousands of dollars on failed equipment, sanitary cleanup, and potential building evacuation and remediation.
McKenney’s state-of-the-art hydrovac truck services use high-pressure water to efficiently cut through the clogs, sludge, and debris and clear it from the lift station. Don’t procrastinate until an emergency occurs. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and service for your facility.