Water in the shaft of the lifting system

Hello everyone,

we have bought a dream house that has water damage in the basement. Unfortunately, we do not yet know the causes. Last week I opened a shaft in the basement and there was water standing in it (see photo). The construction plans state that there must be a lifting station or a backflow valve there. I rather believe it is a lifting station since the shaft is about 2.60m below the inspection shaft for wastewater on the street. Strangely, the water does not smell like it looks in the photo; rather, it smells good (fabric softener?!). In the basement there is a washing machine, a shower, a washbasin, and a toilet which can produce wastewater. My question is whether the standing water is normal, probably not. Should I pump the water out from there? There is a drainage channel right in the middle of the same room. I am also including a photo of this drain here. It is much deeper and only in the lowest part there is water about 5cm to 10cm. It is about 80 cm deep. Additionally, not far from the shaft with the nicely smelling water, there is a drain as a funnel pipe. In it is a condensate pipe from the air-water heat pump. This presumably drains the condensate from the heat pump. Unfortunately, I had to notice that the water drains extremely slowly in this drain pipe. Can I use a cleaning device in this drain pipe or should I be careful because I might break the probable lifting station? I thank everyone who tries to help us save our dream house.

thank you

If your house has a lifting system, then you should be able to hear the pump or pumps operating; they should run for a few seconds whenever water is being used. The shaft seems much too small for a lifting system, and there should only be minimal water inside, plus there must be a power connection as well.

why don't you ask the seller?

If your house has a lifting station, then you should be able to hear the pump or pumps running; they should run for a few seconds whenever water is being used. The shaft seems way too small for a lifting station, plus there should only be minimal water inside and there should also be a power connection. Why don’t you ask the seller?

Ok thanks. I will try to pump out the water. Additionally, I am working my way through the documents; maybe I will find something after all. I will write as soon as I have news. Unfortunately, I can no longer ask the seller because he has passed away.

I would first empty and wipe out each shaft and see what comes to light, and then make it functional again.
Anyone who installs that much had a reason for it.

I find the pumping out interesting… do you then pump the water into the drain next to it? If the open shaft is supposed to be the lifting station, the water would have to flow right back there.

I imagine pumping out to be interesting… do you then pump the water into the drain next to it? If the opened shaft should be the lifting system, the water would have to flow back exactly there.

I don't have a plan yet on how to do it. But you are right. I do not yet have a pump to pump the water into a container. I will first have to fall back on rubber gloves and a vessel.