Your local health department may have the original permit on file with a site diagram. A technician can also probe the ground or use other methods to locate the tank if no records are available.
Call Us This Sunday to Get $15 Off
Trusted Septic Services in Central Florida Call This Sunday to Get $15 Off
Not every property has the luxury of gravity doing the work when it comes to moving wastewater. When your septic system or sewer connection sits at a higher elevation than your building, you need a mechanical solution to push waste uphill. Advanced Septic provides lift station installation in Citrus County for residential and commercial properties that can't rely on a standard gravity-fed setup. Keep reading, and we'll cover how lift stations work, what goes into a proper installation, and how to keep yours running without issues.
A lift station is a sealed underground tank that's equipped with pumps that force wastewater from a lower point to a higher destination. Wastewater flows into the tank through inlet pipes. Once the liquid reaches a set level, float switches trigger the pump, which pushes the contents through a discharge pipe to either your septic drain field or a municipal sewer line.
The pump doesn't run continuously. It cycles on and off based on the volume of water entering the tank. When usage is high, the pump activates more frequently. During low-demand periods, it might sit idle for hours. This intermittent operation saves energy and reduces wear on mechanical parts.
We provide complete septic services including installation, repair, maintenance, and inspections. Our team delivers reliable, efficient solutions tailored to meet residential and commercial needs.
Most residential lift stations use submersible pumps that sit directly in the wastewater. Commercial systems may use grinder pumps that macerate solids before discharge. The tank itself is typically fiberglass or polyethylene, sized according to your property's daily flow rate. Proper venting prevents gas buildup, and the entire system operates below ground level to minimize noise and visibility.
You'll need a lift station if your building sits lower than your drain field or sewer connection point. This happens more than you'd think in Citrus County, where terrain varies, and water tables shift. Homes built in low-lying areas, properties with finished basements that include bathrooms, and additions that can't connect to existing plumbing by gravity all require lift stations.
Commercial properties have similar challenges. Restaurants with grease traps below grade, medical facilities with basement labs, and retail spaces in strip malls where sewer mains run along the back of the property all depend on lift stations. Any time wastewater needs to travel upward to reach its destination, mechanical pumping becomes necessary.
New construction doesn't get a pass either. If your lot slopes the wrong way or local codes require connection to a municipal line that sits higher than your foundation, you'll install a lift station before you can occupy the building. The county may not issue a certificate of occupancy without it.
Lift station installation in Citrus County starts with an engineering assessment. A local septic company evaluates your property's elevation changes, daily water usage, and soil conditions. They'll calculate the total dynamic head, which measures the vertical distance and pipe friction the pump must overcome. This determines pump size and horsepower requirements.
Excavation comes next. Crews dig a pit deep enough to accommodate the tank and allow proper pipe connections. The tank goes in first, leveled on a gravel or sand base to prevent settling. Inlet pipes from your building and discharge pipes to your drain field or sewer main connect to designated ports on the tank. All joints get sealed to prevent leaks and infiltration.
Electrical work ties the system together. A dedicated circuit runs from your main panel to the control box at the lift station. Float switches, alarms, and pump controls get wired according to manufacturer specs and local electrical codes. Once everything connects, technicians test the system under load to verify proper operation before backfilling the pit and restoring your yard.
Lift station maintenance isn't optional. Pumps that move raw sewage accumulate debris and face corrosive conditions that accelerate wear. A septic service company should inspect your system annually. Technicians check float switches, test alarm functions, measure pump runtime, and look for signs of tank damage or leaks.
Removing accumulated solids keeps pumps from clogging. Even with grinder pumps, some materials don't break down completely. Rags, wipes, and feminine hygiene products cause most blockages. A maintenance visit includes pumping out solids and flushing the tank to remove grit that settles at the bottom.
You can extend the time between professional visits by monitoring your system. Listen for unusual sounds when the pump runs. A grinding noise indicates debris in the impeller. Longer run times suggest the pump is losing efficiency. If your high-water alarm sounds, don't ignore it. That's your warning that the pump has failed or can't keep up with incoming flow, and you're at risk of a backup.
Pump failure tops the list of lift station problems. Seals wear out, bearings fail, and motors burn up after years of continuous cycling. Power surges can fry control boards. Lightning strikes in Citrus County are notorious for damaging electrical components in outdoor equipment. A dedicated surge protector reduces the risk.
Float switches stick or break more than any other component. These devices control when the pump turns on and off. If a float hangs in the up position, your pump runs constantly and burns out prematurely. If it sticks down, the tank overfills and triggers your alarm, or worse, backs up into your building. Grease, biofilm, and mineral deposits cause most float malfunctions.
Discharge pipe clogs create back pressure that forces the pump to work harder. Tree roots infiltrate joints in the line. Grease solidifies in cold weather. Foreign objects that make it past the pump lodge in elbows and tee fittings. Regular lift station repair in Citrus County takes care of these issues before they cause emergency situations that flood your property with raw sewage.
Every lift station needs a high-water alarm. This device alerts you when the tank fills beyond the normal operating range. Most systems use an audible alarm mounted outside your home or business. Some include a light or can send notifications to your phone through a monitoring system. When the alarm sounds, you have a limited window to call for lift station repair in Citrus County before sewage backs up into your building.
Float switches come in different configurations. Single-float systems use one switch to control the pump. Dual-float setups add redundancy with a lag pump that kicks in if the main pump fails or can't keep up with high flow. Mercury float switches last longer but contain hazardous materials. Modern installations use magnetic or tilt switches that don't degrade as quickly.
Backup power matters during storms. When electricity goes out, your lift station stops working. Wastewater still enters the tank every time you flush a toilet or run water down a drain. A battery backup system or generator connection keeps the pump operational during outages. Without backup power, you'll need to stop all water use until service is restored, which isn't realistic for most families or businesses.
Lift stations handle a dirty job that makes modern plumbing possible on challenging properties. Whether you need a new installation, scheduled maintenance, or emergency repair, working with experienced professionals protects your investment and prevents expensive property damage. Don't wait for problems to develop. Regular inspections and lift station replacement in Citrus County, when components reach the end of their service life, keep your system working as designed. Advanced Septic sizes systems correctly, installs them to code, and provides the lift station maintenance that extends equipment life. Call us today to schedule a service or to get a quote for your property.
I have used advanced septic in 2 counties. Twice in citrus. Both occasions they came with a truck that was pristine and clean. The two men were in uniforms that were well cared for, they had manners and Greg was exceptional. Thank you advance septic again for excellent customer service.
This is the 2nd time we have used this company to pump our septic tank and both times the entire experience has been great. From the office personnel to the men in the truck you know you are dealing with a company who cares and wants to help. Fast, friendly, reliable, and affordable septic service!
Amazing company and the best customer service, Kim in the office is fantastic, such as pleasure to speak with. I have never had any septic tank issues, Advanced Septic cleans out my tank every 3 years and they are always on time, super fast appointment times, they email you photos of the work they did as well as your receipt. I love supporting local, family owned businesses in Citrus County. Thank you to the entire team at Advanced Septic.
Advanced Septic provided our organization with portable potties for our Dragon Boat event last weekend. They arrived on time and were picked up on time. During the event we needed service and the person on call was friendly, helpful and quick to respond! The employees who came out to handle things were ALL polite, efficient, and professional! Advanced has outstanding customer service and amazing follow through. Also, they were competitively priced. We highly recommend this company!
I am very satisfied I chose Advanced to replace our 30 year old drain field. Outside of having to have the tank pumped 3 times waiting on the county to issue a permit, the process took a reasonable amount of time. The cost was in line with other septic companies but I ultimately chose Advanced because they are a local company run by good people.
I had an issue where the toilet was gurgling and backing up into the shower. I called Advanced and they sent a crew the same day. Matthew and Jay were very polite and thoroughly explained the problem. They fixed the issue and cleaned everything up I’m very pleased with my experience with Advanced Septic and highly recommend them!
Absolutely fantastic job! Pat and Mike rocked this! Just recently had another septic pumped in Central Florida area and they destroyed the front yard....this is as Pat says “ should not look like anyone has been here”. KUDOS for keeping it nice!!
Yesterday, Advance Septic technicians, Kobe and Preston came out to install a riser and lid on my septic tank. They were friendly, fast, and efficient. They even cleaned up the site too! I’ve been wanting to get this done for a long time. So I am very happy and satisfied.
Your local health department may have the original permit on file with a site diagram. A technician can also probe the ground or use other methods to locate the tank if no records are available.