Sewage pump concerns

timswf2

Hi.. I wonder is any wise building experts can help please. We're looking at buying a new build bungalow - but it has a sewage and wastewater pump to send the waste uphill. The bungalow is an infill plot and the waste is connected to the sewers used by the house that originally owned the land.

Are these pumps a concern if things go wrong? Is there a costly maintenance overhead to fret about?

Thank you for your help with this. Everything about the house is perfect - the pump is a worry!
Best regards Tim:(

Freecall

The installation of a pumped sewage system is not in itself unusual (think about all those deep basements being constructed in London with swimming pools and shower rooms etc.) but it is not as desirable as a gravity system if that is possible.

If it is needed then the cost maybe significant depending on the circumstances. As well as the pump you may need retention tanks and valve systems to handle back-flow. Building Control will also insist on a monitoring and alerting system in case of pump failure, blockage or failure of the power supply. You will need regular maintenance but that would probably only be a few hundred pounds a year so acceptable to get the right house.

If there is sufficient land and an available water course there may be other options such as a bio-digester but you would need site-specific advice for that.

timswf2

Thank you very much for the advice. The pump is already installed so will try to find out more about the model etc.

lxpeanut

Freecall wrote: »

If there is sufficient land and an available water course there may be other options such as a bio-digester but you would need site-specific advice for that.

Not if the property is already connected to sewer. Discharge to a watercourse or soak away is only allowed where a sewer connection is not possible. Also s long as they are well maintained a sewage pump shouldnt cause you any problems and will be easier to maintain than having a private sewage treatment plant in your garden.

Madmel

We have a private sewerage system with a bio digester situated around 100m away from the house and about 10m higher than it (garden slopes upwards away from the house). There is a pump in an underground chamber behind the house in a courtyard which sends the waste up to the top of the garden. In 8.5 years, we have only had one problem with it, when it was replaced immediately after we noticed seepage from a drain cover.

We pay around £200 per year to get the system serviced annually by the company that installed it and they operate a 24 hour call-out service for emergencies. However, this is a more complex system than yours seems to be.

In your position, I would ask the vendor who maintains the system and when it was last inspected. It may be worth a chat with the company to set your mind at rest.

stator

My recommendation would be to get some quotes on paper for the servicing and maintenance of the pump, plus get a quote for complete replacement of the system. Then you will know what sort of potential costs you might have to deal with in the future. A system for a single house shouldn't be too bad.

timswf2

Good advice thank you!