In renovation and maintenance projects, especially when adding new bathrooms or kitchens in basements or other areas below the sewage line, a significant challenge arises: how to evacuate wastewater if there is no natural slope? This is where pumping stations become the ideal solution. This type of equipment allows installers, renovators, and industry professionals to ensure effective evacuation even when there is no gravity outlet, saving costly plumbing work and time in project execution.
In this article we explain what a pumping station is, in which situations it is used, the advantages of SFA Sanitrit stations and the main differences between the models available at GroupSumi (Sanifos 110, 280, 610, 1300, Sanicubic 1, and Sanicubic 2).
What is a pumping station?
A pumping station is an automated system designed to lift and transport wastewater or rainwater from a lower level to the sewer or another drainage point at a higher level. In simple terms, it consists of a tank with one or more pumps that collect water from sinks, showers, toilets, etc., and pump it to the main network when natural gravity drainage is not possible. These units include level sensors (floats or detection systems) that automatically activate the pump when the tank fills, operating autonomously and safely. The result is that the black and gray water from a home or premises is effectively removed, preventing flooding or blockages even in challenging locations.
What is a pumping station used for and when is it necessary?
Pumping stations are used to ensure the evacuation of wastewater in a multitude of practical situations. Some common cases where they are necessary:
Basements and semi-basements enabled: If you install a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room in a basement (for example, in a renovation to create a home or commercial space on the ground floor), the drainage outlet will be below the municipal collector. A pumping station will collect the used water and propel it towards the street-level sewer.
Homes on flat terrain or below sewer level: In houses located in areas lower than the sanitation network, or on very flat terrain without sufficient slope, it is essential to pump the wastewater. Without a lifting station, the drains would tend to accumulate or require very deep trenches.
Extensions and renovations far from main downpipes: In renovations where a new bathroom or kitchen is added far from the building's main downpipe, there may not be an adequate slope. Professionals install compact pumping stations to lift those waters to the existing internal network.
Management of rainwater or drainage: In underground parking lots, basements prone to flooding, or interior courtyards, a rainwater pumping station ensures that rainwater is evacuated to the stormwater network when the nearest drain is at higher levels.
Compact Lifting Stations are what you need if you have to evacuate grey water, rainwater, or black water from any location requiring high pumping power and significant flow. You can find a wide variety of compact lifting station options at GroupSumi.
In summary, whenever gravity drainage is not possible, a pumping station is the necessary solution. It allows installers to offer the client the possibility of placing sanitary fixtures or drains anywhere in the building, without being limited by the height of the sewer pipes.
Advantages of SFA Sanitrit pumping stations
When it comes to pumping stations, the brand SFA Sanitrit stands out for a track record of over 60 years providing innovative solutions in sanitary pumping. Their compact stations offer multiple advantages for renovation and installation professionals:
Ease of installation: SFA Sanitrit equipment is designed for easy and quick integration. Many models are delivered pre-assembled, with all necessary accessories (valves, outlet pipes, level floats, etc.), simplifying the installer's work. Additionally, some stations allow the use of small diameter pipes, facilitating their connection to the existing network without major works.
Efficiency and power: SFA pumps are sized to offer significant lift heights (up to 10-14 vertical meters) and long horizontal distances (tens of meters) depending on the model. This ensures that even in demanding projects, evacuation will be reliable. At the same time, their automatic systems optimize operation to pump only when necessary, saving energy.
Durability and proven quality: Made with durable materials (high-density polyethylene tanks, stainless components in the pumps, watertight and walkable covers), SFA pumping stations are designed to last. They can withstand harsh conditions—from hot water to outdoor buried installations—maintaining safe and odor-free operation. SFA's long experience in the market translates into reliable equipment, with extensive warranties and backed technical service.
Versatility of use: SFA Sanitrit pumping solutions cover from small domestic needs to large commercial or community flows. Their integrated grinder pumps in certain models allow handling black water with solids (such as toilet paper and organic waste) by grinding them before pumping, preventing clogs and allowing the use of narrow pipes. Other models use vortex systems capable of pumping loaded water without grinding, suitable for larger flows or rainwater. In any case, there is an appropriate model for each application (single-family homes, commercial premises, apartment buildings, etc.).
“All-in-one” solutions: A single SFA pumping station can collect multiple water inlets at once. For example, a single unit can connect to the toilet, sink, shower, kitchen sink, and washing machine of a home, centralizing all evacuation. This simplifies the drainage system and optimizes space, something highly valued in renovations with architectural limitations.
Safety and control: Professionals also appreciate that SFA Sanitrit stations incorporate control and alarm elements in their most advanced ranges. For example, there are versions with double pumps that alternate their operation to extend the lifespan and both activate in case of high influx, always ensuring evacuation. Additionally, some models include remote control panels or alarms that alert if the level rises more than it should, providing additional peace of mind to the installer and the end user.
In short, choosing SFA Sanitrit means opting for reliable, easy-to-install equipment that adapts to the needs of each project. Their pumping stations allow professionals to implement solutions that were previously unfeasible, installing sanitary facilities wherever desired and ensuring efficient drainage without relying on gravity.
Differences between the SFA Sanitrit models available at GroupSumi
In GroupSumi, we have several models of SFA Sanitrit pumping stations, each oriented to a specific need. Below we summarize the main features of the models Sanifos 110, 280, 610, 1300 and the compact stations Sanicubic 1 and 2, to help you identify which one best suits your project:
Sanifos 110: Compact pumping station with 110 liters capacity, designed to be buried outdoors. Ideal for single-family homes or small premises with one or two wastewater inlets. It is available in versions with grinder pump (for black water with solids) or with a free passage pump, also admitting gray and rainwater. Its small size and reinforced lid make it easy to hide in a garden or patio, supporting pedestrian traffic. It is the practical solution for an additional bathroom or kitchen in the basement, as it grinds and pumps waste through narrow pipes up to 14 m vertically.
- Maximum head height of 14 m and flow rate up to 15 m³/h
- Pro X K2 blade impeller with automatic float detection
- Compact PE tank with pedestrian cover included
Sanifos 280: Buried pumping station of 280 liters, designed to handle larger flows. Suitable for medium-sized homes or small commercial establishments that generate more wastewater volume, or even to collect water from several nearby homes. It incorporates a powerful pump (available in grinder or vortex wide passage version) capable of pushing up to about 11 m in height and moving significant flows (around 20–30 m³/h). Its large-capacity tank allows for the accumulation of water peaks, and the watertight cover supports up to light vehicles or equipment, making it suitable for installations under trafficable areas.
- 280-litre tank with resistance up to 200 kg
- Grinding blades and automatic system
- Discharge of 100 litres per cycle
Sanifos 610: Pumping station with 610 liters of capacity, aimed at larger-scale residential community or commercial uses. This model can be configured with one or two submersible pumps (even with the option for a three-phase motor for industrial environments), providing redundancy and greater evacuation capacity when required. It is ideal for apartment buildings, housing complexes, or businesses such as gyms and small hotels, where multiple wastewater lines (several bathrooms, kitchens, laundries) converge into a single system. The Sanifos 610 handles both black and gray water and even rainwater, ensuring continuous and reliable pumping thanks to its dual motor option that alternates or reinforces according to demand.
- Maximum head height of 14 m and flow rate of up to 35 m³/h
- 2 Sanipump SLD 700 three-phase pumps with a free passage of 50 mm
- Includes Smart Control system, hydraulic kit, and lifting chains
Sanifos 1300: The highest capacity pumping station in this range, with 1300 liters and double pump always incorporated. It is designed for large volumes of wastewater, suitable for multi-story buildings, residential communities, or light industrial applications. Its two pumps work alternately or together, ensuring evacuation even if one unit fails or if an exceptionally high flow enters. The large 1300 L tank allows for buffering very high flow peaks, and its industrial-grade components (stainless steel guides, high-power pumps, automatic backup start system) make it an ultra-reliable option. If the project demands maximum safety and performance in wastewater management, Sanifos 1300 is the indicated choice.
- Maximum flow rate of 16 m³/h and height up to 14 m
- 2 Sanipump GR grinder pumps in single-phase version
- Includes Smart control panel, guides, valves, and hydraulic kit
Sanicubic 1: Compact pumping station for surface installation, with a powerful 1,500 W motor and tank integrated into a compact block. Unlike the Sanifos, the Sanicubic range is placed directly inside the home or premises (for example, in the basement or machine room), without the need for underground work. The Sanicubic 1 model features a single macerator pump capable of evacuating black and gray water from an entire single-family home or small commercial premises. It offers 4 inlets to connect several appliances at once (toilet, showers, sink, washing machine, etc.) and can pump up to 14 meters vertically or 110 meters horizontally, enough to reach the sewer height and move to the nearest connection. It is a plug and play solution: place it on the floor, connect the inlet and outlet pipes, and it's ready to operate, greatly speeding up renovations.
- 1,500 W motor for intensive use
- Evacuation up to 14 m vertical and 110 m horizontal
- 4 inlets for black and grey water
Sanicubic 2: Compact indoor pumping station similar in concept to the previous one, but equipped with two 1,500 W motors each. This high-end model is designed for intensive use or critical installations. Thanks to its two pumps with blades, the Sanicubic 2 handles a larger volume of wastewater, allowing it to serve multiple homes at once, an entire building, or a business with a high water flow (restaurants, gyms, etc.). The two motors operate alternately to distribute wear and can be activated simultaneously if a large amount of water enters at once, ensuring expulsion without delays. Additionally, it incorporates an advanced control system with an alarm and remote panel (radiofrequency monitoring in the Pro version), which alerts of any anomaly or abnormal level, providing extra peace of mind. In summary, Sanicubic 2 offers greater capacity and redundancy, making it ideal when no risk of evacuation failure can be taken.
- Evacuation up to 14 m vertical and 110 m horizontal
- 2 x 1,500 W motors with macerating blades
- 5 multi-diameter inlets for bathrooms and kitchens
In conclusion, the SFA Sanitrit pumping stations cover all evacuation needs in renovation and installation projects where gravity is not sufficient. From a small home with a single basement bathroom to a set of buildings sharing a common system, there is an appropriate model that will ensure effective and constant drainage. With these solutions, professionals can design sanitary installations without location limitations, guaranteeing their clients comfort and peace of mind.
In GroupSumi, you will find all these models of SFA Sanitrit pumping stations, so you can choose the most convenient option and carry out your renovation projects with the support of reliable and professional quality equipment.
