Sewage & Septic System pump FAQs, set #2:

Frequently asked questions & answers about buying, installing, or troubleshooting & repairing sewage & septic pumps & how they are maintained.

This article series explains the differences between and gives installation and maintenance advice for Sump Pumps, Sewage Ejector Pumps, Septic Grinder Pumps, Sewage Pumping Stations, & Septic Pump Alarms. We discuss sewage grinder pump types, sizes, voltages, horsepower, installation and maintenance.

Page top photo: Zoeller 260 series sewage pumps discussed below on this page.

Q&A-2 about Sewage Ejector Pumps, Grinder Pumps, Effluent Pumps, Septic Pumps

Questions & answers on how to buy, install, inspect, & maintain Septic tank pumps, septic grinder pumps, septic effluent pumps.

These questions and answers were posted originally at SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMP FAQs (Q&A set #1)

or at SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS - home - be sure to review that article.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2019-08-26 by (mod) - water hammer may explain clunking noise when septic pump runs

Try searching this website for the phrase

Water hammer

3 diagnosis and repair suggestions for the clunking sound that you are hearing

On 2019-08-26 by Jon

I hear a loud clunking sound, like a bang, throughout the house when septic pump is operating.

On 2019-07-10 by (mod) - replacing an ejector pump every couple of years means something's wrong.

Michelle

I agree that replacing an ejector pump every couple of years means something's wrong.

We need to know what kind of failure occurred - motor burnout, mechanical damage, control failure - as that's diagnostic.

And critically, we need to know the brand and model of pump installed and exactly what are its pumping conditions.

The most common reason that ejector pumps fail is that the wrong type of pump is installed for the application. So if the pump has to handle string, dental floss, tampons in addition to solids and if the wrong pump is selected, it's not going to last.

On 2019-07-10 by Michelle

I have had to replace my septic ejector pump 4 times in 10 years. What would make these pumps fail so quickly. I thought they should last at least 7 years. It cost about $1000 each time I have to have them replaced?

On 2019-04-08 by Anonymous

Thank you ! I will do that

On 2019-04-08 by (mod) - Environment One pump troubleshooting & repair

Mark

I don't know for sure but it sounds as if a wastewater level float is sticking. I'd check that and if the float is moving freely, I'd give E-One a call to ask for help from their technical support. If you do that please let me know what you're told as that may help other readers.

[4] Environment One Corporation, 2773 Balltown Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309, Tel 518-346-6161,l website: www.eone.com/sewers
E/One Extreme Series grinder pump stations for indoor and outdoor installations, residential and light commercial applications.

Also see the troubleshooting and guidelines at SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Grinder_Pumps.php

On 2019-04-08 by Mark Rollins

HI,

I have an E-One Replacement Grinder Pump.
The pump works perfectly however, once the pump is finished operating the alarm panel beeps between 1-10 times and then stops. The trouble indicates a "High :Level"
Any ideas what could be causing this ?

On 2019-02-11 by (mod) - vent problem can cause bad sewage pump operation

Cindy

Thanks so much for the follow-up; I sit corrected on this diagnosis - working together makes us smarter.

I suspect the pump chamber was air tight and creating a suction problem - air unable to enter the pumping chamber during pumpdown.

A Studor vent or V-200 or similar ought to work.

Daniel

On 2019-02-11 y Cindy

Thanks for responding. Pump is working fine. I took the vent top off and toilet flushed great so need a new vent top probably. Thanks again.

On 2019-02-11 by (mod) -

Cindy

I'm not certain what's happening but it sounds to me as if the sewage ejector pump is not emptying the pump chamber. Check for a plumbing blockage.

If the pump chamber wastewater level is too high and you flush a toilet there's nowhere for the waste to go.

Ask your plumber to open the pumping chamber and confirm that the ejector pump float control is working properly and that the pump has a check valve to keep waste from draining backwards into the pump chamber.

On 2019-02-11 by Cindy

New basement bathroom, new ejector pump. Problem: toilet wont flush until pump goes off. Eventually water will go down by gravity but Flush has no power behind it.

On 2019-01-10 by Frank

I'm building an apartment above a detached garage about 30' from my home (closest sewer/septic line hookup), with the vertical drop from the second floor and keeping the pipe sloped from new building to existing home, wil I need an ejector pump?

On 2018-02-11 by T. - sewage pump keeps clogging

Hello,

We have an older home which has routed the kitchen sink and dishwasher, from upstairs downstairs and also handles the downstairs toilet, tub and washing machine.

This pump is definitely been there a while and the basin often gets clogged whith, what we assume to be fat from the upstairs sinks. We have to open it up at least once a year to scrape the sides and remove the material from the walls and the ball float, as sometimes it gets weighed down.

If this isn't done, we have a complete sewage leak downstairs and it's NOT pretty. Second, the original cover was replaced years, ago at least 10, and it often smells downstairs, even after we reseal (caulk it) after cleaning it out. I'm guessing we need a whole new system.

I thought it was a sewage pump, but I'm not positive, now. I know it seems to have no problem macerating the toilet waste, but shouldn't it be able to take care of the stuff on the walls? I never put fat down my drain and wipe any extra grease off pots before washing. It is possible that

1) It's the wrong type of pump?

2) The hot water is melting the fat and it's resolidifying on the top where it builds up and can't get macerated?

3) We just have to reroute the upstairs lines?

4) If we do #3, our sewer lines run over 200' to catch up with the city main, since we're below grade. If I see that fat accumulation in my pump, couldn't it end up in my old ceramic lines?

On 2018-02-09 by (mod) - Warnings about the Effect of using a sewage grinder on a private septic system:

Al

Effect of using a sewage grinder on a private septic system:

Bottom line:

Do not use a sewage grinder pump on a home connected to a private septic tank and drainfield.

You can (usually) use a sewage ejector pump on a home connected to a private septic tank and drainfield.

What's the difference between a sewage grinder and a sewage ejector pump?

The sewage grinder pump macerates or grinds up solids into a fine particle slurry.

The sewage ejector pump can handle solid waste and move it to a septic tank without grinding the waste to very small bits.

Details:

I advise against using a sewage *grinder *pump on homes connected to a private septic system (tank and soakaway bed or drainfield or seepage pit). The concern would be pushing ground solids out into the drainfield.

A grinder pump macerates the sewage to a fine particulate slurry. These pumps are normally used to move sewage up to a public sewer line that is higher than the building's lowest toilets and other fixtures.

A sewage grinder pump connected to a municipal sewer has higher lift capacity and longer push capacity than a sewage ejector pump I'll describe next. The grinder pump can lift waste up as much as 130 ft. and can push it horizontally for over 1000 feet.

You can see this is what you might need to push waste from a building to a public sewer main that is uphill and some distance from the home.

In some communities multiple homes may pump to a central station that uses even larger pumps to move that waste to a more-distant and uphill public sewer main.

Similarly for garbage grinders (in sinks) that's also been a topic of some concern and argument when connected to a private septic system. https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Garbage_Disposer_Guide.php GARBAGE GRINDERS vs SEPTICS -

However you can usually use a sewage ejector pump with a private septic system.

The sewage ejector pump uses a different pumping technology that uses an impeller rather than a grinder blade to move blackwater (toilet waste) to the building drain system and septic tank. A good quality sewage ejector pump can handle solids up to 2" in diameter. The ejector pump can also handle higher wastewater volumes than a typical grinder pump, again depending on the model 100-200 gpm, so the pump can handle other wastewater such as from tubs, showers, laundry.

A sewage ejector can lift as high as 75 ft. and push as far as 750 feet DEPENDING on the horsepower of the pump involved and perhaps also its design.

Watch out: DO NOT use a simple effluent pump nor a sump pump for handling blackwater. The pump will clog and die.

More details are at SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS - home
https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Grinder_Pumps.php

Also see GRINDER PUMP FAQS [PDF] https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Grinder-Pump-FAQs-Groton-CT.pdf
published by the Groton CT Department of public works, retrieved 2018/02/08, original source: http://www.groton-ct.gov/depts/pubwks/docs/Grinder%20Pump%20Website%20info%20the%20hurricane.pdf

On 2018-02-07 by al G - can you use a grinder pump of some sort in a septic system.

Hello ...my question is can you use a grinder pump of some sort in a septic system. I would like to install a full bathroom below the existing level of the waste line exiting the house. Thanks

On 2017-12-31 by (mod) -

Try calling a drain cleaning service to unblock the line.

Keep in mind that a stuck float is a completely different problem - not a clog of piping nor pump.

On 2017-12-30 by Devin - something keeps clogging the sewage pump

I've been having problems with my sewage. The light and alarm has been coming on every few weeks for the last 3 months. The sewer company comes out every time on a service call. First 3 or 4 times they kept telling me that there was baby wipes clogging the system.

I don't even buy or use baby wipes or any type of wipes for that matter. They ended up replacing the grinder/pump and whatever else is inside the tank. It was fine for about 4 weeks then the alarm came on again just 2 days ago.

Guy came out and said that the float was stuck. Now we have noticed all our sewage is overflowing from the tank. The guy said our pump and everything is working properly and he doesn't know what the problem is that it has to be something out at the road.

So we here we are don't know what to do. Can't get ahold of anyone at the local sewage plant because of the holidays and by the time they are back I the office it will be 4 days of our sewage overflowing into our yard. I'm worried it will start backing up into my house and don't know what to do. Suggestions please!

On 2017-12-20 by (mod) - drainback noise suggests a check valve has failed.

The drainback noise suggests a check valve has failed.

The noisy pump, if that's a change, suggests a failing pump motor or perhaps loose components. There may also be a problem of noise transmission of pump vibration via the piping into the building structure. Try using noise isolating pipe clamps and hangers on any piping in contact with the building structural frame.

On 2017-12-19 2 by Bruce - noisy sewer ejector pump

I have a sewer ejector pump which serves the lower level of my home and pumps seweage up to the main sewer line. It is extreme.y noisy when it shuts off and I can also hear the water running throughit and back down into it once it shutsnoff. What, if anything, can be done to lessen or eliminate the noise? Thank you

On 2017-11-19 by (mod) - underpants flushed down the toilet

Donald,

I certainly believe that could flush their underpants down the toilet, as I have published photos of my grandson's Underpants being fished out of the toilet waste line in other articles in this series.

The problem with putting a screen that will stop Underpants is that it will also stop feces and possibly toilet paper. Let me do some research to come up with a appropriate suggestion. I suspect we're going to need to find a grinder pump that can handle underwear.

I'll post results, here or you can contact me by email using the page bottom CONTACT link and I can send you information by that means as well.

On 2017-11-19 by Donald

Hi, we are at a rural primary school and several times a year, believe it or not, a child will flush their underpants down the toilet, burning out the grinder pump. Is there some type of screen or something that will catch underpants but otherwise let the system operate normally?

On 2017-11-18 5 by (mod) - Do I need a battery back up for my grinder?

Steve,

I think the answer to your question depends on where you live, the frequency of power outages, and whether or not you would continue to occupy your home during a power outage considering that nothing else is working either. In any event at general purpose battery backup or a generator backup might be useful

On 2017-11-18 by Steve

Do I need a battery back up for my grinder? What’s a reasonable price for 1br1ba Home 7-10’ of lift?

On 2017-11-05 by Aubri C

Our grinder pump failed earlier this year. We had our main line cleaned out and a new pump installed. The installers we had give bids on the replacement indicated it was uncommon for the pump to be located inside the house (basement next to the sump pump).

Ever since the pump was replaced we've had intermittent and almost unbearable sewage smell in the basement that permeates upstairs, particularly when weather turns cold, etc.

We were under the impression that we need to move the pump outside to eliminate the smell but it seems from reading this site it is more common than we thought to have the interior installation. Who can we hire to determine why the smell is so bad? It would seem the installers did something wrong and I'm not sure we trust them to fix it. Is this a job for a common plumber?

On 2017-10-26 by Anonymous

Sounds like a bad float switch

On 2017-10-26 by Scott M

I have a ejector pit builder installed, and only had humidifier furnace drain into pit.

Had a bathroom added (rough in by builder to pit) ejector pump very rarely worked without shacking or unplugging. Had a new pump put in same issue, had the check valve replaced same issue plumber states weephole was drilled already. Any other tips of what to look for?
Thanks

On 2017-10-10 by (mod) -

I cannot know why the pump didn't work Vicky as I've not got enough information; but perhaps if the sump pit were blocked with solids the float that activates the pump never rose - thus the pump never turned on and a high sewage level alarm would never sound.

On 2017-10-10 21:21:54.514202 by Vicky Chen - why the pump didn't work?

But why the pump didn't work?

On 2017-10-10 by (mod) - broken pump alarm, clogged waste line

Sounds as if the alarm was broken and that the outlet piping or destination for your waste is blocked.

On 2017-10-10 by Vicky Chen

Backyard grinder pump tank was full and wastewater came out but the alarm didn't sound and flushing? We opened the lid found that the pump didn't work?

On 2017-09-05 by (mod) -

Ron,

Yes but because of the need to make a mechanically-secure and leakproof connection through the lid, I might consider a wye and checkvalve connection into the existing piping entering the ejector

On 2017-09-05 by Ron

Can you drill through top of sewage ejector lid to add a line for a washer hook up??

On 2017-08-24 by (mod) - which sewage pumps need lubrication?

Tye

Some sewage and scavenger pumps are produced with an oil-filled chamber in the motor chamber. It does not get replaced.

I haven't seen units with oil ports. Give us the brand and model of your pump and we can help research the question further.

About the towel, you've probably jammed the pump impeller assembly and possibly burned-up the motor. Wait 30 minutes to see if a thermal overload automatically resets.

On 2017-08-24 by Tyeshawn - towel flushed down th drain clogged the pump

A towel accidently got flushed down the toilet clogging my ejector pump...i removed the towel but now the pump wont operate or come on...What should i do?

On 2017-08-24 by Tyeshawn

What kind of oil goes into my ejector pump

On 2017-08-21 by (mod) -

Sharon:

I am taking a wild guess here that you are referring to a septic pump alarm - telling you that the pump isn't working.

See SEPTIC PUMP ALARM SYSTEMS at https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Sewage_Pump_Alarms.php to see what's going on - if the problem is the pump or for that matter even if the problem is the alarm, you'll need repair help from your septic system installer.

On 2017-08-21 by Sharon

I have been away from my basement apartment for 2 months. I have a zoeller grinder pump. When I ran some water and flushed the toilet, the part on the wall started squealing really loudly and both the green and red lights are on. I shut the breaker off and on a couple times, but the squealing continued.

I am afraid to run any water as I don't remember the red light being on ever before. It is silenced now but the red light is still on. Help!

On 2017-08-08 by Kevin

I have a outdoor ejector pump that from time to time builds up a sludge on top of the waist which causes the float to not work and the alarm float turns on.i then need to uncover and clean out with a strainer I made ad then flush the tank with clean water. Any ideas?

On 2017-04-05 by (mod) -

Dan

Please ask questions in just one place - as that helps our workload - see https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Grinder_Pumps.php

And apologies that your original message that included a URL link may have been temporarily blocked: that's something that the Comments Box code does for security.

On 2017-04-05 by Dan

Hello, I bought a home 1.5 yrs ago and in the basement it had 2 rooms and a full bath. the grinder pump looks old but seemed to work fine. recently the person who was staying there left and in the past 2 days we have had a lot of snow melt and rain.

The pump started turning on and off (3xs) within a 24hr period with no one introducing water into it. I am assuming that all my waste water goes straight to the septic from upstairs and the downstairs due to the height to get to septic is using grinder/lift pump. also my toilet upstairs after fill the level drops a little.

so what I am wondering is could ground water be seeping in? and also what do I have to do to keep pump in working order down there? should I run water by flushing into it so it doesn't go dry? and is this normal for ground water to enter it?

also the pump is extremely loud when discharging and shakes the house it does not seem to be secured in any way pipes go straight up to main discharge into septic system...any help would be greatly appreciated.

On 2017-02-26 by (mod) - buzzing pump controller

If you refer to a pump control panel and NOT the electrical panel then the buzzing may be a bad control relay in that control box. Or the pump could be seized and the relay is buzzing as it's unable to start the motor.

On 2017-02-25 by John

My pump is not working at present and I hear an intermittent buzz noise at my control panel. Any thoughts on what might be the problem?

On 2017-02-24 by (mod) - Can a bad check valve or debris stuck in the check valve cause the sewage ejector pump to stay on without pumping water out?

Yes

On 2017-02-24 by D B

Can a bad check valve or debris stuck in the check valve cause the sewage ejector pump to stay on without pumping water out?

On 2017-01-08 by (mod) - frozen drain or check valve

Ray

Yep. I suspect that the pump or its exit piping or check valve is frozen. You can turn off power to the pump. That might, if it's not too late, avoid destroying it. Just turning off the alarm sounds like a bad idea.

On 2017-01-08 by Ray

Have a Libery 370 series submersible pump. It was installed outside of the crawlspace and has been working well for about a year. Today we woke to extremely cold temps (ice in the canal in front of the house) and the alarm on the pump blaring.

There is no code given on the alarm. Could this be that something has gotten "frozen" and needs to warm up? We do not have an owners manual. Is there a way to turn off the alarm other than disconnection at the breaker? Thanks.

On 2017-01-05 by (mod) -

Normally you would not have to fill the lift pump to stop using it. You would simply leave the system alone.

However if the equipment could be exposed to freezing then it might be smart to remove water and waste from the system.

On 2017-01-05 by Lloyd

Should a lift be filled with water or left empty when not using for a few months.

On 2016-12-26 by (mod) - When pump runs water back flows with great force into other 2" drain pipe for washing machine.

Sounds like you're missing a check valve.

On 2016-12-26 18:40:37.672483 by Brian

Sewage injection system 2" pipe is installed into a double "T" on the lower downward 3" main drain pipe.

When pump runs water back flows with great force into other 2" drain pipe for washing machine

. In addition, there is a secondary 1.25" drain "T'd" outside to main drain going to septic that back flows into sink with great force. Is there a fix for this? Will check valves on other two drain lines stop the back flow when the injection pump runs.

On 2016-11-18 by (mod) -

Kelly

This doesn't sound very nice, I agree. If the water softener has always drained into the grinder pump and thus all that changed is the pump, I suspect an installation error such as a bad check valve. Other possibilities include a clogged drain.

I would start by watching the grinder pump go through a cycle. If wastewater is entering the pump and the float should be turning it on, but it's not running, then the problem is in the switch or control for the pump.

If the pump runs but the pit doesn't empty quickly, then the pump is defective, or there's a bad checkvalve or the drain is blocked.

On 2016-11-18 by Kelly

We recently had our basement grinder pump replaced. Now everytime our water softener regenerates, we have sewage odor and about 1/2 inch of wastewater come up in both kitchen sinks, then immediately go down. Happens 2 or 3 times during the softener cycle. Septic repairmen have tried adjusting float, jetting the inlet pipe, etc. They are stumped. Any suggestions appreciated.

On 2015-09-20 by Jerry

We have an ejector system, sump pump and septic tank. Our house is a quad level with a half bath on the lower level. When using the lower level toilet, about every 5th flush the kitchen sink makes a noise and there is slight septic smell.

We have had a master plumber out, added a Oatey sure-vent, and have checked the venting. There was a slight crack in the lid of the ejector pump but we caulked it. The problem continues. HELP!!

Question: Options for battery backup for a sewage grinder pump

For a grinding pump (zoeller 1/2hp)... What options for a battery backup? Computer UPS maybe?? Something more serious? - Rob 8/30/11

Reply:

Nice question, Rob. I'd look at the data for the Zoeller pump model (data from your installation manual should be enough as the pump itself would need to be pulled to look at its data tags). I am not sure that a typical home computer UPS will have enough ampacity at 120V to handle the pump operation but it might. If not, take a look at battery-operated backups for basement sump pumps.

Or even a second, auxiliary 12-V pump itself, added into the same pumping station (if there's room for both pump and floats).

A second pump (common installation practice) has its float control set to turn on the pump at a higher level than the main pump, so it will operate automagically if/when the main pump stops working for any reason.

Question: Clunking noise coming from the grinder pump when it shuts off

I have lived through a few sump/grinders in the past 6years. HUGE pet peeve is the giant clunk the check valve makes when the grinder shuts off. I have a new house and the plumbers installed a ejector system and everything and looks good.

The main drain outlet pipe is secured to the concrete foundation wall with foam padding between the pipe an the "U" bracket. near the top (12" from the ceiling joist) is the check valve.

We are still getting a very large "Clunk" when the grinder stops that shakes main floor.

Do you have any suggested best practices when installing this setup to reduce noise in the overall ejection process?
thnx - Matt 12/27/11

Reply:

Matt there should be no clunking when your sewage pump turns on and off. It sounds as if the pump is not secured, or as if a mount has broken or come loose.

Question: Chirping sound coming from sewage ejector pump

I woke up today to a chirping sound coming from my sewage ejector pump.

it seems evenly spaced (about every thirty seconds), not very loud, but annoying.

the pump is only one and a half years old.....the pump is near my bedroom and interfering with my sleep

.please help me figure out what that noise is. - Barbara

Reply: check for a bad battery on a DC battery operated sump system or for a problem with the charger

Barbara, a chirping sewage ejector pump - sound as if either the pump motor was unable to start and run or there was a problem with a float control - perhaps setting off an alarm? I'd track the sound directly to the source. Does your system include an alarm?

Look also for a battery - back-up pump system or battery-operated sump pump system whose charger has come diisconneted from the battery or whose battery won't accept a charge.

Check the water level in the battery and if it's low, use distilled water to fill to the indicator rings in each battery cell.

Question: Sewage pump runs all the time - when should the grinder pump cycle on and off?

Are these pumps supposed to run all the time or just when water is being used? - Charlene 5/1/12

Reply:

Charlene, most grinder pumps do not run every time the water is being used but rather are turned on and off by a float control inside the receiving tank. If your pump is running constantly the float switch needs repair or replacement.

Question: is it possible to repair a leaky sewage grinder pump holding tank?

I have a crack in the bottom of my grinder pump holding tank which is allowing some dirt and debris into the tank. Other than complete removal and replacement of the tank from my concrete basement floor, do I have any other options to seal or repair this crack/leak? - R.H. 1/14/13

Reply:

It may be possible to empty the sewage grinder pump tank, clean and dry it, and repair the crack using an epoxy crack repair product or for plastic tanks, using a fiberglass patch - depending on tank material, but

Watch out: leaning over any septic tank or cesspool, even a small grinder pump tank that has contained sewage can result in death by asphyxiation; also if there are sparks or a nearby flame, the result can be a methane gas explosion;

Don't work alone, never enter a tank without special training and protective gear/apparatus, &c. - stay safe .

Question: loud noise traced to old pump in basement. I disconnected it and now have septic problems.

(June 17, 2014) Gregory King said:
I bought a home built around 200 yrs ago. im a plumber an have a problem. i had owned my home a few yrs an in the bacement i heard a loud noise.

when i went down i found an old pump running. i had thought it had been out of use for some time by the looks of it. i disconnected it.Im having problems now with septic in home. is the any way this pump has anything to do with the septic or field ?

Reply:

Gregory,

Some septic systems use pumps for various applications including the grinder pumps discussed above on this page.
If the pump you found has to do with septic you should see it connected to the building DWV system.

I'd need a more complete description or some photos to offer more - you can send photos to us at our CONTACT link found at page bottom.

Question: Zoeller grinder pump check valve complaint

(June 26, 2014) Jason said:
Hello. Had a Zoeller grinder pump replaced at my house. 2 story house. The pump services the below grade level and it looks like they original builder dropped a far kitchen drain in their as well. The old pump was audible throughout the house and to some extent when the check valve close.

The plumber said the old check valve was horizontal and he changed that to a vertical configuration.

Well....now it's loud as all get out when the valve closes. Plumber says horizontal check valve is not ideal is more easily blocked open. Is there way to slow the closure of the check valve so there is not so much hydrostatic shock.

Now, it reverberates throughout most of the house. I'm worried that is causing way more stress than before.

Reply:

Jason

Thanks for the question, sorry I don't have a good answer. You may be describing a water hammer problem - usually occurring on water supply piping not drains.

I'd give Zoeller a call to ask their opinion about the cause before just treating the symptom.

If the installer failed to drill or clear out the required weep opening in the discharge pipe below the check valve that could also be a problem.

Details ar at SEPTIC PUMP INSTALLATION

Keep us posted as what you learn will assist others.

Question: sewage grinder pump odor problems

(Aug 25, 2014) karen said:
We are having a problem with odor with our grinder pump in the basement. Is there something that you can flush down the toilet to help with this.

Reply:

I think I'd look first for a leak, bad venting, a failed check valve etc. If you have not always had odor complaints it makes sense to find and fix what's wrong rather than to just try to deodorize it - a temp fix.

Question: sewer ejector pump with external vault & check valves - lift station: frequent pump cycling

(Sept 19, 2014) Eric LaShore said:
I am considering installing a external vault with a dual check valve to the sewer line with an ejector pump or a lift station with two ejector/grinder pumps (disconnecting my home from the sewer) and I'm attempting to weigh the pro's and cons. I assume the lift station will be more protection against sewer back up but the dual check valve should provide pretty solid protection as well.

I'm interested in determine the avg power consumption of a grinder/ejection pump to determine the increased power consumption destined for my energy bill when installing a lift station. I'm not quite sure how to address the question when dealing with AC power.

(Sept 30, 2014) Jessie said:

Hi! We have a bi-level home (10 years old) at the bottom of a hill from a neighborhood with a grinder/waste ejector pump that pumps ALL exiting waste/water from our house to the main sewer line up the hill from us. The pump/basin is located outside.

It was replaced this summer when it stopped working (10 year old house curse), and ever since, the new pump (a Zoeller model) has been running super frequently, like every 5-10 minutes, when no water is exiting the house.

We took it off and watched, and it appears that some ground water is coming into the pump from what appears to be small holes along the side of the basin, that look like they're supposed to be there.

The water will flow in from the ground/outside of the tank, trigger the float, and it will kick on, pump it out, and turn off. the water continues to seep in at a near constant stream - even though we haven't had much rain lately (although we are at the bottom of a hill and our yard does stay wet much longer than most, and our backyard where the pump is is pretty shaded).

The guys that put in the replacement pump this summer came and looked at it and seemed dumbfounded, saying "maybe you should get a backhoe and see where the water is coming from." We were dumbfounded. My husband turned the pump off at the breaker and watched it. After the water seeped in to just a bit above the holes, it stopped.

The water level didn't continue to rise. His theory is that the float needs to be adjusted up a few inches, and that the tank SHOULD be letting in some groundwater, that it is normal and should hold water level to the groundwatever level. Does this sound correct?

The owner of the plumbing company (the dad of the kid who recommended a backhoe!!) is coming to check it out tomorrow, and we're hoping he agrees that we just need to adjust the float up a bit. I'm sure it's not good for the new pump to be running almost non-stop - AND we saw a $40 jump in our energy bill this month.

Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

Reply:

(Oct 14, 2014) gord said:
should you run large amounts of water through the grinder pump when not in use for six months . We pump up hill 150 ft. should we clear the line of slurrey

Question: worried about sewage staying too long in the grinder pump reservoir

(Oct 17, 2014) Kimmie said:
We live in a city and our house has a pump in the basement. After reading this, I realized it must be a sewage ejector pump.

We've tried not to use the basement toilet because I am afraid that solid waste will stay in the tank for a long time before being pumped into the sewage line and that's not very pleasant. Does waste get pumped out right away or it sits there until there's enough to trigger the pump? Thanks.

Reply:

Kimmie

Most residential sewage grinder pump reservoirs are rather small and will pump the ejector tank after a few uses of plumbing fixtures.

If you are leaving the toilet and grinder pump un-used for weeks or longer I suggest running sink, shower or tub clean water into the pump reservoir until you hear it cycle twice. That should leave relatively clean, low-odor-source water in the grinder pump reservoir.

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