Sololift for sewage: what is it and why is it so useful?
Correct operation of the sewage system is possible only if all pipes are installed with a slight slope. If the slope turned out to be less, then the likelihood of blockages increased sharply - dirty water and fecal masses left sediment at the bottom of the pipe. Over time, the sediment was so much that the movement through the pipe completely stopped. Therefore, it was necessary either to raise the plumbing devices, or to lower the central sewer collector below floor level. Sololift for sewage completely changed this situation.
The content of the article
How sewerage works
Any sewerage system works on the principle of gravity flow of water downhill. The higher the slope of the pipe (up to a certain angle), the higher the speed of the water movement and the less the likelihood of blockage. In private houses, this problem is solved by installing all the collectors in the basement, thanks to it, it is possible to ensure the correct inclination of the pipe connecting it to the plumbing fixture. In the apartment, the central collector is installed vertically, so the angle of inclination of the pipe depends on the entry level and the installation height of the plumbing fixture. If, for some reason, the entrance to the central collector is at the same level or higher than the exit from the toilet, the sewage system will not work normally. This fully applies to pressure sewers, because in them the pump is installed at the entrance to the central collector.
How to change the slope of the pipe
There are only two ways to change the slope of the pipe:
- raise the plumbing fixture (bath, sink, toilet, washing machine etc.);
- make the entrance to the local or central sewer below.
Both of these methods present significant challenges. It is not always possible to raise a bathtub or toilet in such a way that it does not affect the convenience of their use and it is even more difficult to lower the entrance to the central collector.
How does a sewerage sololift work?
When sewage drains fill its tank, a pump is turned on, which allows water to be raised to a height of 10 meters. Some models of these devices can grind the solid content of sewage, which reduces the likelihood of blockages. A sensor is installed in the tank that detects the liquid level. When the liquid level reaches a certain value, the pump is turned on and the sewerage sololift pumps the contents of the tank into the central collector.
Video: how the sololift from Grundfos works
Advantages and disadvantages of devices
The main advantages of this device include:
- self-cleaning;
- small size;
- quiet operation of the pump;
- ease of installation;
- reliability.
He also has disadvantages:
- availability of uninterruptible power supply;
- high price.
Self-cleaning
Due to the inclined bottom, sediments of fecal and sewage masses do not linger in the sololift tank. When the pump is turned on, the high flow rate of water creates a vortex draft that cleans the bottom of the tank from any sediment.
Small size
In most cases, the sewerage sololift is designed for a volume of water of 3-5 liters, so its body is small. At the same time, the flow rate of sewage is at least 40 liters per minute, which exceeds the ability to drain any plumbing device. Therefore, there is no need for a large cistern.
Quiet pump operation
Due to the fact that the pump is constantly submerged in water and does not suck in air, it does not make much noise during water supply. After all, the familiar sound of draining water from the toilet appears due to the fact that a mixture of air and water moves through the pipe.
Ease of installation
The sololift is fully automated, so it is enough to connect it to a plumbing device, a downpipe and outlet 220 volt. The only requirement is to ensure the tightness of the joints. Therefore, a sololift connection to the sewage system will not cause difficulties not only for a professional plumber, but also for any person who can independently replace a faucet or put a toilet bowl.
Reliability
Sololift is produced by the Danish company Grundfos, whose branches and factories are located in many countries, including Russia. All products of the company undergo multi-stage testing, which ensures the highest reliability of the devices.
Useful advice! If you follow the requirements specified in the manual for the device, the sololift will last for many years.
Redevelopment opportunities
Perhaps the most important advantage of these devices is the wide possibilities for redevelopment, because you do not need to worry about the height difference to ensure a slope to the sewer riser, and the possibilities for placing engineering plumbing increase many times over.
Related article:
Sewerage for a private house how right? A separate material provides detailed information about the sewerage system at home and installation errors.
How to choose a sololift
The original sololift is produced only by the Grundfos company, but you can find many of their analogues in stores. These devices are called sewage pumping stations. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish between pumps for plumbing devices and units that are installed in the central manifold.
First of all, it is necessary to determine how many plumbing devices will be connected to the sololift. The WC model is designed to be connected to a toilet only. WC-1 model supports connection of a toilet bowl and one more sanitary fixture (bath, sink, Washer etc.).You can connect a toilet bowl and any three other sanitary fixtures to model WC-3. More than one toilet bowl cannot be connected to any sololift model, because for such a connection it is necessary to use an input with a diameter of over 100 mm. The rest of the entrances are limited to a diameter of 40 mm, which is sufficient for any other plumbing fixtures. Model D-3 is not intended to be connected to a toilet, but any 3 other plumbing fixtures can be connected to it. Model C-3 differs from model D-3 in maximum water temperature - up to 70 degrees constantly and up to 90 for 30 minutes. The cost of the Grundfos sololift is 10-50 thousand rubles, depending on the model and place of purchase.
Useful advice! The correct choice of the sololift model will allow you to avoid overpaying for unnecessary options.
Sewer connection
Connecting the sololift to the sewerage scheme provides for a distance to the plumbing device no more than 50 m. Increasing the distance will lead to disruption of the station. The sololift system for sewage provides for the correct slope of pipes after a vertical rise. If the pipes are laid at the wrong angle, the work of the sewer will be disrupted and the likelihood of blockages will increase.
For connection to plumbing devices, it is made using adapters included in the delivery set of the sololift. The device itself must be firmly fixed to the floor.
conclusions
Sololift is an excellent device for a forced sewerage device, providing ample opportunities for organizing housing planning. However, you always have to pay for convenience, and quite a lot of money.