And what exactly does a sump pump do?

Question

And why don't all septic systems have them?

Answer 1

a sump pump has nothing to do with the septic system its used to pump water out of a cellar so that the cellar doesnt flood

Answer 2

It has nothing to do with the septic system.

A sump pump pumps water out of the sump. (Say that three times real fast!)

Most houses with a basement have what are called drain tiles around the foundation. The idea is that rain or melting snow goes into a pathway that leads to the sump. This is really nothing more than a pit or well that is below the level of the floor so that the water can be directed downhill into it.

The pump simply moves the water out of this sump, through a pipe in the wall and out into the yard. The pump can either be completely submerged in the sump or be of the pedestal type where the motor is actually above the hole.

The bad thing about sump pumps is that you need them most when it's raining really, really hard. But what usually happens when there's a gigantic storm? The power goes out. Oops! A big problem that makes insurance companies go bonkers.

No connection to the septic system. Besides, I don't think you'd want sewage flowing into an open hole in your basement where it sits until it fills up enough to kick on the pump. Then again, maybe you do! I hope not.

Hope this helps you understand.

Answer 3

The only septic systems that have pumps are septic systems that are below the street level sewer pipes. The pump is needed to pump the sewer into the sewer pipe. The sewer systems that are above street level sewer pipes will drain into the sewer pipes by gravity so that is why no pump is needed. When I had my System installed I was told I would not need a pump, but when they started digging they found a huge boulder under my driveway that they could not blast so my sewer system needs a pump to pump the sewer over the boulder and down into the street pipes. I had to have this pump replaced last year and it cost me $3500. So expect to replace that pump every 8 to 12 years. Not something I like, but have no choice.