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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default lift pump systems

    I'm inspecting a home tomorrow that has a sewage lift pump system. This one in particular is lifting from a holding tank into a public sewer line. The holding tank and control/alarm equipment are locked shut and the whole thing looks pretty old (maybe 25 years).

    Since I choose not to do any extensive inspection of these systems, what type of contractor should I refer my client to?

    PS. I was able to get a sneak peak because I was there to place radon testing equipment yesterday.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    Sounds like a grinder pump. Many times the city or municipality is responsible for them and maintains them. You should find an alarm box and most have a red light, this is to let the owner know when they break down.

    About all you can do is to listen for the pump cutting on. I defer them to a plumber who knows about this type of system or to the city if it is a city owned pump.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    What Scott said in my area as well. As far as who to talk to, I defer that subject to the realtor.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    What Scott said in my area as well. As far as who to talk to, I defer that subject to the realtor.
    Good place to defer to, they are used to shoveling crap.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    Come to think of it, the local municipality had their contact info on the alarm box.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Posts
    1,630

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    Listen for it to start and stop, obviously check for leaking pipes, and it should be completely sealed. Lid bolted to the tank with no gaps on the rubber grommets between the pipes and tanks.

    MinnesotaHomeInspectors.com
    Minnesota Home Inspectors LLC
    ASHI #242887 mnradontesting.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: lift pump systems

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    Good place to defer to, they are used to shoveling crap.
    Good one, Jim!

    John, I dug up some pics, 'dug up', get it? The heads have been cropped to protect the ignorant. This pump was noisy, so the plumbers working for the municipality were taking it out for repair.

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