ACE Septic & Waste specializes in commercial lift station services in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, including design, engineering, installation, repair, and tailored maintenance plans. This page will provide property managers and business owners with a detailed look at what lift stations are and how our services keep this vital aspect of your business running smoothly. If you know you need routine, reliable lift station services, contact us today.
A lift station, or a pump station, is a machine used when gravity alone is insufficient to move wastewater into the main sewer line and onward to a wastewater treatment plant.
Lift stations are essential in sewer wastewater management. They are used to overcome the pressure of a forced main sewer line and push wastewater to treatment facilities. Like all machinery, they require regular maintenance to ensure efficient operation and to prevent malfunctions or failures.
By employing a combination of pumps, wells, and electronic monitoring systems, lift stations ensure that wastewater moves efficiently and safely, protecting Florida’s natural aquifers. Lift stations are indispensable in maintaining the functionality and hygiene of commercial sewage systems.
Parts of a Lift Station:
Hinged Access Door: Provides easy access for maintenance and inspection.
Vent: Allows gases to escape, maintaining pressure balance.
Guide Rail: Facilitates the installation and removal of pumps.
Inlet: The entry point where sewage enters the lift station.
Discharge Pipe: Carries the sewage away from the lift station to the sewer system.
Trap: Prevents gas and odor from coming back up the system.
High-Level Alarm (Float Switch): Alerts when sewage levels are too high.
Lag Pump On (Float Switch): Activates additional pump if needed.
Lead Pump On (Float Switch): The primary pump in operation.
Pump Off (Float Switch): Turns off the pump when sewage levels are low.
Rail Guide: Assists in guiding the pump along the guide rail.
Guide Rail Base: Serves as the foundation for the guide rail system.
Call to get a free estimate for a tailored lift station maintenance plan.
Maintaining your lift station is a critical part of your company’s wastewater removal process. Regular maintenance includes cleaning pumps, inspecting electrical setups, testing alarms, and checking all parts are functioning correctly. Given their complexity and cost, lift stations need constant upkeep to prevent rapid wear and tear. By adhering to a routine maintenance schedule, you can extend a lift station’s lifespan to over 20 years while saving substantial time and money you can reinvest into your business.
In Florida, it’s advised that all lift stations have service agreements with maintenance providers like ACE to address potential pump failures or overflows. Although there’s no state-mandated maintenance schedule, ACE Septic suggests an annual check to maintain efficiency and prevent costly repairs.
An effective maintenance routine includes:
Visual Checks: Professionals should examine the system to detect any blockages or accumulation in the pumps.
Wet Wells Cleaning: It’s important to routinely pump out and clean wet wells to eliminate build-ups that could cause damage.
Submersible Pump Maintenance: Keeping the pump free from debris is essential to prevent blockages, with regular checks on the impeller for any issues.
Valve Inspections: Valves need consistent inspections and lubrication to ensure they work correctly and prevent sewage backflow.
Alarm System Checks: Regularly verify that alarm systems are functioning to maintain safe wet-well levels.
Electrical Inspections: Inspect all electrical parts for signs of wear or faulty connections.
Pipe Cleaning: The collection system’s pipes should be cleaned regularly to guarantee unobstructed flow.
Due to common severe weather conditions, including flooding and hurricanes, a reliable backup power source, such as a generator, is essential for continuous operation of commercial lift stations. Following these maintenance guidelines and keeping a detailed log of all inspections and maintenance work will significantly improve your lift station’s efficiency and lifespan.
Lift Station Inspection Services
Routine inspections by licensed professionals like ACE will extend the lifespan of your lift station and help prevent expensive repairs. These inspections involve a detailed review of the station’s components. ACE Septic is licensed to conduct these comprehensive checks on structural integrity, pump and motor operation, control panel function, and the condition of valves and pipes. We recommend that all Tampa Bay and Central Florida businesses schedule an annual inspection of their septic/sewer systems and lift stations.
Lift Station Installations
ACE Septic offers customized lift station installation services suitable for any commercial need, designing bespoke systems or installing prefabricated units based on your requirements with a estimated 15 to 20-year lifespan. Due to Florida legislation we will only ever recommend wet well lift stations.
Lift Station Repairs
Your lift station may need repairs due to aging, unexpected events, or operating in extreme conditions, such as high pressure and corrosive environments. Pump or lift station failures will cause wastewater build-up, leading to system backups and safety risks for both customers and employees.
We provide prompt and expert service for any lift station issue, with a certified team ready 24/7 for emergencies to ensure immediate intervention is available when needed. With an ACE lift station, your site will also get a sticker directing your staff to our 833-DWN-LIFT line (833-396-5438).
Lift stations can face various problems, from odors and backups to flooding, which can damage property. Some common repairs we complete regularly include fixing damaged electrical components, addressing leaks, solving pump failures, correcting equipment malfunctions (in float, transducer, or FOG-rod operated systems), repairing impaired guide rail systems, replacing damaged discharge piping and check valves, and fixing malfunctioning lighting and system-level controls. With ACE’s expertise, we efficiently tackle these issues to minimize both impact and repair costs.
With 90% of Florida’s drinking water sourced from groundwater, the upkeep of lift stations and wastewater treatment is vital for both environmental protection and a clean water supply.
ACE Septic & Waste is dedicated to the optimal functioning of these crucial systems. For expert services in inspections, repairs, maintenance, or new installations of lift stations, reach out to us. With a 24/7 emergency response team, we’re prepared to address urgent lift station issues promptly.
Join us in our mission to safeguard Florida's water resources
Contact ACE Septic & Waste today for dependable lift station services in Tampa Bay and Central Florida and contribute to maintaining the state’s water purity and flow.
ACE is your Tampa septic company to inspect, maintain, repair and install septic systems of all types and sizes. We’ve been Tampa Bay’s trusted septic services provider since 1974.
ACE Septic & Waste is proud to announce the launch of our new commercial lift station services. Our team is committed to keeping your business compliant, so we are excited to provide this maintenance solution.
Most commercial buildings in Tampa need a professional lift station inspection at least twice yearly to satisfy legal requirements. Many property owners add additional inspections to further mitigate the risk of surprise sewage emergencies. Our lift station services can give you the peace of mind you need.
What is a lift station?
Lift stations are essential components of many sewage systems. They work by pumping wastewater from low-lying locations to higher ground. The wastewater eventually reaches a sewer or gravity pipes for treatment.
Building a lift station is the best way to accomplish this if your property needs to move sewage between two elevations.
Components
There are three core components of lift stations:
Wet well: contains the pumps, floats, and distribution pipes.
Dry well: houses the backflow preventers (also known as the check valves), gate valves, pressure gage, and pump by-pass hook up.
Control panel, which is also known as the junction box.
Although not necessarily a component of a lift station, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the importance of vapor seals. Vapor seals prevent the sewage vapors from leaking into the control panel. If those seals go bad, they can corrode, resulting in faulty alarms and/or system failure.
The Truth About Lift Stations
The reality of lift stations is they will either be required for your commercial property or not. If you are required to have a commercial lift station, expect it to be a long, costly process if it’s not already installed. Lift station installations require a lot of labor and heavy machinery as you are installing a mechanism that combines electricity, water, and hydraulics.
The first step in the process should be to see if your business can achieve the required gravity to connect to the city sewer, possibly negating the need for a lift station. If you can connect to the city sewer, double-check if it’s a forced main line. If so, a lift station would be required to overcome the force and eventually push your wastewater into the city line.
Lift stations need ongoing maintenance. Regulatory requirements must be complied with to keep your operating permit. There are also practical demands. Failures are common, especially when maintenance gets ignored.
If a problem is left untreated, the results could significantly affect your cash flow. You may even experience health repercussions and harm the environment, as a failed septic system can taint the area’s groundwater.
How ACE’s experts stepped up after Hurricane Ian
ACE Septic & Waste has provided lift station services since our clean-up efforts in the aftermath of 2022’s Hurricane Ian. The situation’s urgency made it clear that professional help was required, and our team rose to the occasion.
Our experts were able to navigate the new terrain with ease and efficiency. We quickly and effectively deployed our team to restore services in the affected area.
The experience cemented our standing as the leading lift station specialist in the greater Tampa area. Lift station maintenance is a new service we’re offering property owners, but we’ve already proven adept in every aspect of lift station care.
Signs your lift station needs attention
If your property has a lift station, there are a few signs that you should investigate further:
Sounding alarm
The pump is not coming on
Foul odors
Slow drainage
Clogs
You can trust ACE Septic & Waste to respond quickly. We can provide maintenance and repairs for any lift station issue. Our team is experienced, friendly, and always ready to help.
Protect your property with lift station services
ACE Septic & Waste is pleased to offer lift station services to commercial property owners. Our experts will help you keep your sewage system in excellent condition so you don’t have to worry about backups or health concerns.
If your property needs a lift station inspection, repair, or new installation, contact ACE Septic & Waste today. We’ll happily answer any questions and provide a free quote for your project.
At ACE Septic & Waste, we pride ourselves on providing prompt, reliable lift station services that you can trust. Let us show you why we’re Tampa’s number-one choice for lift station services.
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