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Expert Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Ejector Pump

extending ejector pump lifespan tips.

No homeowner ever plans for the appliances and equipment in their home to fail prematurely, according to www.mhnproperties.com. But this problem happens all the time. Most times, when it does, it is due to small issues that could have been avoided with a little knowledge and effort.

In this post, we discuss the common problems that can affect an ejector pump and cause it to fail prematurely. We explain the causes of ejector pump failure and tips to help prolong the life of this essential piece of equipment in your home.

Common ejector pump problems

If you bought a quality ejector pump, it should last between 7 and 10 years. But this depends on the correct installation and proper maintenance of the pump. If the conditions for the smooth function of the ejector pump are not met, issues you will experience in your home include:

Float switch malfunction

The float switch activates the pump when the water inside the tank reaches a predetermined level. It also switches the motor off when the pit is empty. The float switch makes it possible for the pump to function automatically. If it fails to activate the pump or switch it off, your home will be flooded with sewage, or the motor will burn out.

Plumbing is clogged

Because it handles wastewater with numerous solids, some buildup is expected within your plumbing system. But sometimes – perhaps due to the wrong items being flushed into the drains or poor maintenance – the buildup inside the lines can prevent wastewater flow through the drainage pipes. If this happens, your ejector pump will work, but no waste will be removed from the tank.

Pump cycles frequently

The pump cycle is the interval between when the pump activates and when it shuts down (after emptying the tank). Since the pump only powers on when the tank is full, there should be a decent duration between each cycle. If the ejector pump is cycling frequently, it means it is not pumping effectively – the content of the tank is not being removed completely before the motor powers down.

Pump makes strange noises

Your ejector pump will make some noise when it is working, the normal humming sound of the motor. It is abnormal for an ejector pump to make sounds like the grinding screech of metal against metal or rattling and clunking sounds. If you are hearing strange sounds from your ejector pump, the impeller is likely clogged or bent, or the casing is broken.

ejector pump maintenance prolongs lifespan of the pump.

Cleaning the ejector pump and tank regularly helps to prevent excessive buildup that can lead to pump failure.

Steps to prolong the life of your ejector pump

By taking steps to avoid the root cause of these problems or discovering them before they become major issues, you will protect your ejector pump. Here are the best practices for prolonging the lifespan of your ejector pump.

Watch what you flush

Ejector pumps are not designed to handle certain types of waste. Dumping grease, fats and oils in your drains is a recipe for trouble. Avoid flushing so-called flushable items into your drains: cotton swabs, disposable wipes, diapers, dental floss, condoms and feminine hygiene products, to name a few.

Cover your drain openings

Harmless items that can hurt your ejector pump if they enter the system include starchy food (potatoes, rice or pasta) and stringy vegetables (like celery). Human or pet hair can also impede the impeller. You can install strainers on drain openings to keep these items out of your drains.

Avoid toxic chemicals

Chemical drain cleaners and clothes dryer sheets threaten the function and longevity of your ejector pump. The chemicals in drain cleaners will corrode the pump. The synthetic fibers in clothes dryers will clog the ejector pump and interfere with the operations of the motor.

Clean the pump regularly

Ejector pumps handle wastewater with a lot of solid and semi-solid waste. Some of this non-liquid waste inevitably gets stuck inside the pump. Cleaning the ejector pump and tank regularly helps to prevent excessive buildup that can lead to pump failure.

Inspect the system on a schedule

Regular inspections help you stay up to speed with what is going on with your ejector pump. They help you stay steps ahead of problems in the system. By letting you discover issues at their early stages, inspections allow you to solve problems before they escalate.

Service your ejector pump

At least once a year (every six months preferably), you should have your ejector pump serviced by a professional. How often you do this depends on the age of the pump and how much wastewater it handles. This small step can add years to the life of your ejector pump.

To conclude, keeping your ejector pump running smoothly and prolonging its life is not rocket science. It involves paying attention to your equipment and a proper maintenance routine.

Everything You Need to Know About Sewage Ejector Pumps

Everything You Need to Know About Sewage Ejector Pumps

Sewage backup is one of the most damaging plumbing emergencies you can have in your home. Imagine the horror of sewage flowing into your home, not only ruining your floors and belongings but also subjecting your home to terrible smells. If you’re a landlord, you already know this means your property will be deemed uninhabitable. This is a plumbing issue you can certainly do without.

One trusted way to prevent this problem in your home is to install a sewage ejector pump in the house. But what is a sewage ejector pump? How does it work? What do you need to know before installing a sewage ejector pump in your home?

What is a sewage ejector pump?

A sewage ejector pump operates on the same principle as a sump pump. Just like a basement sump pump, this system comprises of a pump housed inside a basin. This basin or holding tank, along with its pump, is located below ground inside the home.

But unlike a sump pump system, which is designed to remove floodwater entering the home, a sewage ejector pump system holds wastewater from the home before pumping it into the main sewer lines in the street.

How does a sewage ejector pump work?

  • Waste from the various plumbing fixtures in the home flows easily into the basin because the drain lines are sloped down into the sides of the basin.
  • For a moderate-sized home, the basin can hold up to 30 gallons of waste. This water will stay inside the basin until it reaches a certain level.
  • Inside the basin are movable floats that rise with the water level. When the water in the basin reaches the threshold, the flotation device triggers a switch to activate the pump.
  • The pump removes the wastewater by raising it to the level of the main sewer line in your home or the city sewer lines in the street.
  • Once the basin is emptied to a specified level, the pump shuts down.
  • But before the liquid is pumped out of the basin, it passes through a grinder inside the sewage ejector, which breaks apart the clumped solid waste.
  • Most sewage ejector systems have a water level alarm that triggers when the water in the basin rises to a certain level. If this alarm goes off, it means there is a problem with the pumping mechanism.
  • A lot of sewage ejector systems are equipped with a secondary pump which serves as a backup when the main pump fails or is being repaired.

Does your home need a sewage ejector pump?

Your home needs a sewage ejector pump if the bathroom, laundry, or any plumbing fixture in the house is located at a level below the main sewer lines in the street. Where the municipal lines are located higher than a fixture in the home, wastewater will not flow properly.

This is because the flow of wastewater from your home depends on gravity. In order to flow freely, water must be able to move in a downstream fashion. In other words, your home’s plumbing fixtures must be located at a higher level than the city’s sewer lines.

Ejector pumps are also needed in homes with a septic drain-field system, such as those found in rural areas. Without a sewage ejector system, homes that fit the above description run the risk of sewage backing up into the basement or sewer gas seeping into the home.

ejector pump replacement

Before you install a sewer ejector pump system

What do you need to know or get before installing a sewage ejector pump system in your home?

  • A permit – In most locations, you will require a permit to install a sewage ejector pump system in your home. This is because of the potential damage to the city’s sewer lines if your home’s sewage ejection pump is not properly installed.
  • Budget – Sewage ejector pumps cost anywhere from $400 to $1000. This price depends on the size and brand of the pump. If the pump system will not be subject to heavy use, you can get away with buying a less expensive one. But you really don’t want a system that you will have to repair often. Worse, if the pump fails it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Other system components – In order to function properly, the system needs the following:

  • A sump basin – The underground tank where sewage water is stored until it is removed.
  • Vents – Vents help to equalize air pressure and also provide an outlet for sewer gases.
  • Check valve – This is located between the outlet pipe and the main sewer line, to prevent backups.
  • The right contractor – Due to the critical role of the sewage ejector system, this is not a job you should attempt to do yourself. It is best to hire a skilled plumber for an ejector pump installation.