Sewage & septic pump clog or failure causes, diagnosis, repair questions & answers.

This article series also lists septic and grinder pump types, brands, and will identify pumps that are resistant to damage from debris or objects that may enter the toilet, sewer line, or septic tank.

Q&A on Septic Grinder Pump & Sewage Ejector Pump Clogging

These questions and answers about damage and repair of sewage or septic pumps were posted originally

at SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR - please be sure to review that article.

On 2018-10-09 by Roman

I have a rental property where the sewer connection requires a grinder pump. The problem is that the renters (weekly vacation rentals) can't be relied on to not flush baby wipes etc.

Which destroys the pump.

Is there any two chamber tank to catch the wipes before they go to the pump? A small two compartment septic tank would be great. Any ideas?

On 2018-10-10 by (mod) - what to do when people insist on flushing disposable wipes down the toilet

Roman,

Please see DISPOSABLE WET WIPE CLOGS where I repeat your question and offer a detailed reply.

Let me know what questions remain.

On 2018-08-03 by (mod) -

Anon

That sounds as if surface runoff or groundwater is leaking into your sewage disposal system and back-flowing into the pumping station. The leak-in could be

- repairable, such as a simple leak at the pumping / grinding station cover: repair or seal the cover and redirect runoff away from the area

- repairable, but expensive and bad news, such as a failed sewage or septic soakaway or drainfield, and/or a drainfield that is seaonally flooded or wet - which means it is not working, not sanitary, and needs replacement

Your installer is almost completely right, except that I'd have expected a check valve at the grinder pump to prevent backflow into the pumping chamber.

Installing the check valve will prevent the backup you describe but it will not fix the more-significant problems I cited.

On 2018-08-02 by Anonymous

Had a grinding and pumping station installed at my daycare...every time its rains heavilymy toilets and sinks back up..does anyone know anything about this type of situation?

The installer says its not the grinding amstation..but of course he would say this.

On 2018-06-18 by (mod) -

Not in my opinion.

See SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS

If however the ejector pump is clogging you might want to check that nothing harmful is being flushed down toilets (sanitary napkins, string, toys) and that the proper type of pump has been installed.

On 2018-06-18v by Ken F

Is there a product that I should flush down my basement toilet to help keep the ejector, sewage pump working? I thinking rid x for septic systems, but this is is not septic.

On 2018-05-16 vby (mod) -

Lani

TURN OFF your system at the electrical panel immediately to avoid a fire, further damage, or a possible shock hazard.

Then ask for help from a licensed electrician. I can't guess from your note just where the problem resides: a failed septic pump motor, shorted electrical wire, or failed control switch. But what you describe is unsafe.

On 2018-05-16 v by Lani

My red light came on 4 days ago. My pump is not running and their is small amount of smoke from the start capacitator when we switched to manual position

On 2017-06-08 by (mod) - choose the right type of pump: ejector, sewage, grinder, macerating

Smitty

I am only guessing, but is it possible you don't have the right type or best type of pump installed for your application? Some plumbers install what's basically a sump pump into a sewage pumping station - those will clog.

What's needed is a sewage grinder pump. A grinder pump and its float control are designed to tolerate the inclusion of solids, including toilet paper, in the wastewater and to grind the pump to the destination.

On 2017-05-31 by Smitty

When the float is covered in dried paper it fails to operate because it is stuck in the down position. Thanks

I have a sewage ejector and the float switch becomes covered in dried toilet paper. It looks like paper machie. What can I do to prevent this? Change toilet paper? Adjust the float switch? Thanks

On 2017-03-28 by (mod) - "Bubble bath" will cause damage to the pump ?

No, Mary, not from any of the research I"ve read nor problem reports I've fielded - that is, as long as the soap or bubble bath is either in liquid product form OR if using a powder or granulated form, as long as it is completely dissolved into the bathwater.

What can be a problem, showing up with over-dosing with powdered laundry detergents, is that too much powdered soap that doesn't dissolve into water can downstream clog drains or pump inlets.

I have a similar, un-tested, opinion about over-use of bath salts: those too dissolve in water but if a lot of undissolved salts got into a trap it could slow drainage and might take some time to dissolve from that spot.

On 2017-03-28 by Mary Newton

My Husband seems to think that "Bubble bath" will cause damage to the pump..We have a "Soaker Tub" shower, Toilet and sink in a basement area...We use NO Powder Detergents..

I was wondering, will using body soap, bubble bath or this type of Liquid soap damage the "Grinder Pump"?

On 2017-02-08 by (mod) - Hair and toilet paper clogs

Hair and toilet paper clogs mean that you are not using the proper pump for the situation. A sump pump works best pumping water only, such as from a wet basement. A sewage grinder pump can macerate sewage, toilet paper, hair, and handles those better, without clogging.

On 2017-02-08 by Danielle

We have a sump pump an have went through many of them. I've been told we set lower to sewer line in town and also it is quite a way from our house. Hair and some toilet paper will eventually stick to it and burn pump up if we don't catch it stuck on.

We just pulled it out an cleaned it off about a week ago and seems to be stuck on again. My question is should we be using a different type of pump or is there anything we could do to prevent the clogging of the sump pump?

On 2017-02-01 by (mod) -

Please do not attempt to send samples to our lab. This is not a service that we can provide.

See details at WAXY BIOFILM SLIME CLOGS in DRAINS & PUMPS

On 2017-02-01 by Kathy M

I would like to send a sample of the waxy clumps in my septic tank to your forensic lab for free analysis.

We are so curious as to what they are because we do not use powdered detergents. How do I go about sending you a sample for analysis?

On 2016-08-01 by (mod) -

Bobbi,

Chances are the green light stays onto indicate the system is in good working order.

If you hear the pump running at all times then something needs repair, perhaps a pump float swtich.

Details are at https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Sewage_Pump_Alarms.php

On 2016-08-01 by Bobbi

Is the green light in the boxfir the grinder box suppose to stay on at all times

On 2016-06-06 by (mod) -

Pete, you don't indicate which Zoeller pump you have instaalled, nor am I sure (since you use the term "sump pump") if we are discussing a de-watering sump pump installation or a sewage (blackwater) ejector pump

I'm guessing the latter since you refer to "black water odor". In that case odors shouldn't be coming out of your pump system.

For **example**, referring to Zoeller's Instruction Manual for the company's effluent/sump/de-watering pump (notice this is not a sewage grinder pump), for a wide range of Zoeller pump models

(( Zoeller Pump Model 55 / 59, 70, 73, 75, 139 Series, 140 / 4140, 145 / 4145, 160 / 4160 Series, 180 / 4180, 191, 371, 372, 373 Series effluent & de-waatering pumps

as well as Zoeller pump models 211, 212 Series, 270 / 4270 Series, 280 / 4280, 290 / 4290 Series sewage pumps (again these are not grinder pumps),)) available from the company's online literature library, you'll read that to control odors the company cites two features:

1. Gas-tight seals are required to contain gases and odors.
and
2. Vent gases and odors to the atmosphere through vent pipe.

So I'd start by checking those features of your installation.

Use of chemical additives and treatments, depending on the chemical, might not harm the pump but shouldn't be necessary. And harsh or caustic chemicals may also damage the pump. Zoeller includes this warning in the service checklist for the example manual we cite:

Abrasive material and adverse chemicals could possibly deteriorate impeller and pump housing

You don't say if you're connected to a private septic or public sewer - beware of dumping treatments in volume into a septic system. Search InspectApedia for SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS for details.

If you don't have the manual for your Zoeller pump, contact the company at P.O. BOX 16347 • Louisville, KY 40256-0347 or at Zoeller.com or at (502) 778-2731

On 2016-06-06 by Pete Beck

I have 1/3 HP Zoeller sump pump. Can I use a chemical like the ones used to keep black water odor under control in travel trailers and motor homes,,to keep my sump pit from smelling, w/out damaging the pump...Thanks in advance for you help....Pete

On 2016-05-03 by Earl

What can you put in to eat up hair for a basement sump pump. I'am sure that my daughters hair is going to hang on to the float switch and will flood my basement.

Thank you.

Question: sewage pump runs too much or won't shut off

(Aug 10, 2011) dave said:

i dont like the idea of these sewer ejection pumps as they suck electricity, i feel my builder dug the foundation too deep and therefore stuck me with this annoyance on my new home. it seems to be not working right now after 8months i am an was not pleased to find out this had to be used as i was not told of it until it was put in already. sucks electricity and watever else.

(Aug 16, 2011) Heather said:

Our enjector sewage pump will not shut off even when there is nothing going into it - what do we do to fix this

(July 11, 2012) nancy said:

We lost electricity for several days and now the grinder pump keeps coming on every 15 mins or so, even when nothing is being used, like in the middle of the night. What might be causing it to run so frequently?

(Mar 16, 2013) Anonymous said:

I have an ejector pump that is continously running. Quite possibly a bad switch. Will it hurt to turn off fr the entire weekend until calling a plumber after the weekend. I cannot remove top to inspect. Thanks in advance for advice.

(July 23, 2014) Cindy N said:

The air hole on our sewage ejector pump keeps clogging then the pump won't shut off

Reply: advice for sewage pumps or ejector pumps that won't shut off

Dave and Heather, I've posted answers to your questions and links to related information in the beginning of the sewage ejector pump Q&A section just above. We welcome your further comments, experience with pump repairs, or questions that may arise.

(Aug 17, 2011) Heather said:

Thank you but how to I get to the pump. there are 2 pipes going into my sewage tank and it looks like a sealed lid on it. Does my husband disconnect the pipes?

Reply:

(Aug 18, 2011) (mod) said:

Heather, then your sewage pump is inside the receptacle that receives wastewater from the downstairs fixtures you cite. The procedure is the same: the wastewater receptacle is opened to expose and remove/repair the pump or float switch. With the same safety hazards except that a typical in-house grinder pump receptacle is too small to fall into except as a child hazard.

If the septic pump is inside the septic tank the tank will need to be opened. Be SURE to read over

SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY

And the pump can usually be lifted out of the tank by lifting on a handle or chain designed for that purpose. Don't lift a sewage pump by its wiring.

It may be that you'll need to have a septic repair company come out and pump out the septic tank to inspect what's going on, remove and fix the float, and restore the pump and cover.

It's not something you should attempt alone, for reasons I describe at SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY

Keep us posted on what you find - it'll help other homeowners.

Anon,

I'd turn off the pump rather than let it run continuously - to avoid burning up the pump. But keep in mind that you'll have to turn it on manually when using the fixtures that the pump serves -else you risk a sewage backup.

Question: sewage pump life

(Sept 30, 2011) Red said:

Woulf you be so kind to advise the life expectancy of a sewage pump for a residential home? Is the homeowner responsible for the repair/replacement of same? Would this be covered under homeowner insurance when malfunctioning? Just had to replace mine for $3400.

I was not quite ready for such an expense (who is?). Just making sure I am covering all bases. My home is nine years old and is only occupied by myself. I most appreciate your advices

Reply:

Red, if we take a look at the warranty period for sewage pumps as a way to see how long the manufacturer promises that the pump will last, we see warranty periods that are typically much shorter than the actual probable pump life.

A typical warranty period may be just 12 months. FloTec pumps have varying warranty periods but their Sewage Ejector (Model FPSE3601A) has a lifetime warranty. That's consistent with my experience: properly installed and used as directed, sewage ejector pumps that are 15 or even 20 years old are not unusual to find still chugging away.

(Oct 5, 2011) Red said:

Thanks so very much. I will have to look into the model. I would venture to say that a builder does not use the most efficient product. Nothing personal about my builder, I think highly of him. I appreciate the opportunity to have a web site to use for people, as I who are not savvy on these topics. Best regards~

Question: sewage pump pit level, cleaning, clogs

(Nov 5, 2011) Don J said:

My pump does not empty the sewage pit until it is nearly full, thus the toilet will not flush properly. My plumber has already adjusted the float to no avail. Are there pumps you could recommend that would cycle faster so the sewage pit does not become so full?

(Dec 15, 2011) Jim Lenox said:

How often should a sewer ejector pit be cleaned out?

(Apr 13, 2012) Lisa said:

Accidentally, flushed 3 or 4 tampons down a sewage ejector pump toilet. What should I do now? Is there a chemical that can be poured down to dissolve tampons?

 

Reply:

The conditions described above may require opening the sewage pump chamber (with power off to the pump for obvious safey reasons) to inspect for and remove solid debris that clog the pump inlet or impeller.

Lisa I'm doubtful that there is a safe chemical that could be poured into a sewage pumping chamber at a concentration that would dissolve cotton debris such as tampons.

Question: Sewage pump won't run

(Sept 29, 2012) ivan said:

My sewege pump is not working , how do i know if if burned up?

Reply:

You'd have to test the motor. Search InspectAPedia for

Electric motor test procedure

To see some suggestions.

Also check that power is present on the pump circuit, that the float switch works, and if the motor hums there could be a mechanically jammed pump impeller as well.

Question:

(Dec 22, 2012) Mike Dulude said:

I have been replacing my septic pump every 8 months or so since for the past 11 years. I have tried various types of pumps including life time warranty pumps but unfortunately it still occcuring. There is no debris that seem to have clogged the pump. We do however use lots of quantity of water on a daily basis. Can this be the cause? Thank you

Reply:

Mike

Something is certainly wrong. Check that you are using the proper type of pump and also that its float controls are properly switching it off. Also check for low voltage on the pump circuit and for outlet piping clogs.

Question:

(Dec 28, 2012) margaret Anderson said:

We have a rental unit in back of our property that has a pumping motor to the front of our property where septic system is located.

Plumber just left and states large wad of toilet paper wrapped around motor. Is there a particular type of toilet paper that would not wad up and flush through to front of property?

Question: will ground solids clog the sewage line?

(Feb 13, 2014) Is it possible to have foreign objects get grount up like cloth napkins and end up in the sewarge line and clogging it said:

Is it possible for a cloth napkin to get through the grinder pump and actually clog or block the sewage line

Reply:

Yes

Question: grease interceptors and grease traps

(Feb 16, 2014) Sam said:

Can u tell me is it possible to installed grease trap in more than 25 foot deep pumping station and how?

(Feb 16, 2014) Sam said:

I am having a pump burn cases at various pump stations what are the reasons and how to avoid it?

Reply:

Sam, I've moved our grease trap specs to a new article at InspectApedia

search for

Grease Interceptors - Grease Traps

you'll see that there are three basic types, one of which can be placed closer to the water source while others need distance to allow the water to cool - so the answer is

... it depends: on the thype of grease trap you're using as well as the type of wastewater. If you can't find the article I cite send me your email and I'll email you the link directly - (for security we can't put url links in these comments)

Question: leave pump on?

(June 13, 2014) Jess said:

What it i leave my hand pump on by accident for a couple of months.what can happen?

Reply:

Jess, I'm unclear on what you mean by a 'hand pump' - that doesn't sound like an electrical device.

in general, if you leave any fluid-moving pump on for a protracted period AND when the pump might run dry, the risk is pump damage - for some pump systems running a pump "dry" can ruin a bearing or impeller.

Question:

(June 25, 2014) Eric said:

I have a two float system that was rotted so a was told to cut and wire together . Pump won't shut off know some told me the colors aren't normal can some one tell me what colors go we're ... message ends

Reply:

Eric I think this question is beyond my expertise. To know the color codes of wires on a specific septic pump you'd need to get a copy of the installation and wiring guide for the unit - which means starting with the brand and model number.

Question:

9/3/2014 PN said:

We have a small business with several toilets and sinks. Our sewer line runs to a jointly owned pump vault (our sewage and our neighbor's). We have a dual-pump (ejector) system in the vault that pushes the sewage up and down a pressure line (down a side street) to the City's main in a major cross street.

A new business took occupancy of the neighbor building a year ago (we've been here for more than 25 years), and over the past year we've had nothing but trouble with clogged pumps. Typically feminine products and other debris.

If this were solely the neighbor's problem, we'd let them suffer through it, but they've made it our problem. Do you have any suggestions of a macerator/grinder that we could place in-line and up-stream from the pumps? And/or is there another solution you would recommend? All suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Reply:

PN

No question that tampons and the like can clog ejector and sewage pumps. Besides posting "Don't flush" signs, which are never 100% effective, one might need to install a pump whose manufacturer says can handle those obstructions. Screens clog.

Pump selection and pump types are discussed at SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS

...

Continue reading at SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Pump Articles

• ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER
• SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS - home
  • DISPOSABLE WET WIPE CLOGS
  • FREE-STANDING GRINDER PUMPS
  • SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, RESIDENTIAL
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS
  • SEPTIC PUMP ALARM SYSTEMS
  • SEPTIC PUMP BUYERS GUIDE & MANUALS
  • SEPTIC PUMP DUPLEX DESIGNS
  • SEPTIC PUMP INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
  • SEPTIC PUMP INSTALLATION
  • SEWAGE ODOR SOURCE LOCATION
  • SEWAGE PUMP BUYERS GUIDE & MANUALS
  • SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR
  • SEWAGE PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING
  • SEWAGE PUMP ODORS
  • SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS
• SUMP PUMPS

Suggested citation for this web page

SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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