Mystery in a Sewage Pump Station!

Roots unearthed by Allerton Engineers in a Sewage Pump Station.

Two bin bags containing fibrous roots were cleared out by service engineer Sam from a small pump station. Amazingly the pump station refused to be overwhelmed by the roots.

How long it could have gone on working, without being strangled by the root monster, is a matter of conjecture. Thank goodness Sam got to it in time!

Clearly regular servicing is important. This picture is just a few of the roots.

Summary

Keeping an eye on your sewage pump station is vital to keep your machine functioning, and catching issues like this early is far cheaper than a repair if it goes unnoticed! We can provide regular maintenance to pump stations to catch issues like this.

Contact Allerton to see how we can help! 

FAQ

Q: How do you unblock a rainwater drain pipe?

A: Rainwater drain pipes and gutters should be checked in December and cleared of grit from the roof, bird droppings, dirty leaves, any grass and sycamore seeds in particular.

At the foot of the down pipe, the back inlet gulley and its grid should be cleared of all debris. This does mean plunging your hand into the gulley to remove all the leaves, etc.

Any accumulation means that future solids will overflow into the storm soakaway, reducing its life. Rainwater soakaways tend to be shallow and rainwater has about 5 ppm solids to water. Septic tank water is 200 ppm or more!

Q: What to do if the sewer backs up?
 
A: Call for the de-sludger, rod the drains, stop using water where possible, panic and then ring Allerton!
 

Q: How often does a septic tank need emptying?

A: As a rule, once a year for the average household. It depends on the size of the septic tank and how many people are using it. Two years is possible, depending on the size of the septic tank. If the frequency is more than once a year, it is usually because of a failed soakaway, and that shouldn’t be happening. Check out this table about the pros and cons of septic tanks. Frequent emptying can be quite expensive. Read the section about septic tank emptying on our Septic Tank and Soakaway Problems page for more information.

Q: Are there septic tanks that don’t need emptying?

A. No. All septic tanks should be emptied to protect the soakaway! Read the section about septic tank emptying on our Septic Tank and Soakaway Problems page for more information.

Q: How do I know when my septic tank is full?

A: It’s difficult to gauge, so have it emptied every year. This will help lengthen the life of a soakaway. See our page on Septic Tank Problems for more details.

Q: Does shower water go into a septic tank?

A: Yes. All lavatory, showers, wash basins, sinks etc are classed as foul. These must go to the septic tank. Rain water must NOT go into the septic tank.

Q: Which type of septic tank is best? 

A: The best ones are made from GRP, glass reinforced plastic. Or Polyethene. Concrete ring septic tanks are good but need two chambers.

Q: How long do plastic septic tanks last?

A: Polyethene and GRP septic tanks should last 20 years at least, providing they are emptied every year to protect the soakaway and the baffle.

Q: What is the alternative to a septic tank?

A: A sewage treatment plant, a cesspool, or a reed bed. If there is no room for a soakaway then a cesspool is used. These are huge tanks and expensive to install and expensive to have emptied.

Q: How do I know when my septic tank is full?

A: It’s difficult to gauge, so have it emptied every year. This will help lengthen the life of a soakaway. See our page on Septic Tank Problems for more details.

Q: How do I clean my septic tank naturally?

A: It should emptied regularly by a registered waste contractor. The mess inside the walls of the septic tank is actually full of bacteria and should be left alone. Do not hose it down!