Lift Station Pumping and Wet Well Cleaning

Over time a lift station's chamber collects grease, solids and debris that no pump is designed to move, and that buildup is what fouls floats and clogs pumps. Brown Aerobic pumps out lift stations and cleans the chamber and its equipment for businesses and communities across seven counties. Call 832-789-5357.

Why does a lift station need to be pumped out?

The wet well is a collection chamber, and not everything that goes into it leaves it. Grease floats and hardens, solids settle to the bottom, and wipes and rags that should never have been flushed collect around the pumps and floats. Left alone, the buildup takes up room, fouls the equipment and shortens the time the pumps have to react when flow is high.

What does pumping and cleaning include?

• Pumping out the chamber with a vacuum truck
• Removing the buildup on the bottom and walls
• Cleaning off the floats so they move freely
• Clearing what has wrapped around the pumps
• Looking over the lid, piping and electrical connections while the chamber is clean
• Noting anything that will need repair, so you can plan for it

Scope depends on the size and design of the station, and we confirm it with you when you call. If something needs fixing, see our pump repair and alarm and float repair services.

What goes wrong when it is put off?

• Pumps clog or overheat because they are handling more than they were built for
• Floats stick, so the pumps start late or not at all
• The alarm goes off more often, or the water rises before anyone is told
• Odors build up around the station and the lowest drains
• A backup in the lowest part of the property, which at a business can mean closing

How often should a lift station be pumped?

There is no single answer. It depends on the size of the station, how many connections feed it and what goes down the drain. Stations that handle grease or wipes need attention more often. We look at the station, set a schedule with you and adjust it based on what we find. Many owners add the station to a maintenance contract so pumping is scheduled instead of reactive.

Is it safe to enter the chamber?

No, not unless you are trained and equipped for it. A wet well is a confined space that can hold harmful gases and low oxygen. Our work is done with the right equipment and procedures, and we ask owners and staff to leave the chamber closed.

Call 832-789-5357 or request a quote online. Estimates are free, and Se habla español. See also our grease trap pumping service for restaurants and kitchens.

Common questions