Hung Sewer

[CWO5MAYFIELD]

I'm having a home built. Today my builder called and said there will be a delay in construction due to a HUNG SEWER. Apparently the basement was dug below the sewer lateral and now a pump needs to be installed to pump water up to the main.

What are the potential problems of a HUNG SEWER?

Shouldn't the builder have known this prior to construction?

What happens if the pump fails...FLOODING?

Any help will help...thanks

[homebild]

It is not uncommon for the building sewer to be lower than the city sewer line.

The only requirements are:

-that you install a backwater valve to prevent sewage from the main coming back into your house in the event of a blockage in the main....

-that you install a sewer ejector system.

With an ejector system, waste from your building drain enters the ejector where it is typically ground up then pumped uphill to a point where gravity can take over.

Problem with an ejector/grinder is that it will cost more than a gravity drain to install, is operated by 220volt electricity, and will require routine maintenance and replacement.

As long as the builder is paying for the system due to his own error, there should be no problems.

It will perpetually cost you more to operate the system because of the electricity involved and the eventual maintenance, however, but if you want that house on that lot, then you have no other choice...

[CWO5MAYFIELD]

Do you have any examples of a dual pump system with alarm?

And thanks for your help

[homebild]

Do you have any examples of a dual pump system with alarm?

Possibly.

As soon as you describe in detail just what it is and why you allegedly need it....

Sounds like you are having a septic system with what we call a "Turkey" or "Elevated Sand" Mound system installed.....and not a "Sewer" at all....

[CWO5MAYFIELD]

I have a hang sewer. My lateral does not make grade out of basement in order to naturally by gravity drain sewage into the main. To rectify this the builder wants to put in a grinder pump.

My issue is that I was never told of the lateral problem prior to signing a contract or selecting a lot.

This problem was either known or not known by the builder. Never the less, I will now have to pay reocurring costs associated with this problem. So to minimize my paying for their mistake, I want to know what is the best type of system for these problems. I.e., Dual Pump for Backup when one pump fails; an alarm to notify me a pump has failed.

In other words if it was the builders or a plumbers residence what type system would they install?

[homebild]

There really isn't any 'right' or 'best' solution here.

A Dual or Backup pump or warning alarm will all be useless in a power failure, for example, unless you also install an emergency generator.

The 'best' or 'correct' solution in this case is to raise the structure or its foundation to a level where the sewer can be gravity fed to the main...if it is technically and cosmetically feasable.

Otherwise a grinder pump and sewer ejector system is your only normal alternative.