Sewage Ejector Pump: An Essential Guide 2024

Many residential buildings have the main sewage line at ground level. This often makes it harder for basement bathrooms and laundries to eject sewage. Therefore, a sewer ejector pump is required to send the sewage into the main municipal line. Continue reading to learn more about sewage pumps.

What is a Sewer Ejector Pump? 

A sewer or sewage ejector pump is a submersible centrifugal pump that transports liquid and solid waste into the main sewer line. It moves the wastewater against gravity along the pipes into the main sewer line. The pump will help you reduce any clogs along the way. 

Sewage pumps are used for below-ground installations, such as basements and bathrooms. They are connected to the main sewer line and can be used for ejecting sewer water or collecting wastewater where old sewer pipes are replaced with new ones.

Why Do You Need a Sewer Ejector Pump? 

Homes with a laundry room or a bathroom often have plumbing below the level of the communal sewer line it joins to. Thus, it would help if you had a sewage ejector pump to avoid overflow nightmares. 

The sewage ejector pump will have to sit in a basin, keeping fluids and odors contained while the pump moves waste into the sewer lines. If you don’t pump out sewage water from your water closets, this can result in: 

• Solids and semi-solids clogging the pipes
• Sewage water appearing in sinks and taps
• Floods triggered by overflowing or pipe bursting 
• Sewer gases creating nausea and attracting pests
• Spread of diseases like food poisoning and respiratory issues

What Maintenance Do Sewage Pumps Require? 

Generally speaking, a sewage ejector pump would require no maintenance apart from an annual service by a qualified professional. During this service, the professional will clean the pump, lubricate the motor, and inspect the entire sewage ejector system. They will remove any debris or clogs in the sump basin. 

As a homeowner, you will need to do your part, too. For instance, it is important to only flush waste and toilet paper in systems with an ejector pump. Other items can easily clog the pump and force the motor to move them forcefully. This can shorten the lifespan of the ejector pump and may cause sewage overflow in your bathroom, basement, etc.

Sewage Ejector Pump vs. Sump Pump 

While both ejector and sump pumps work similarly, their role differs. One main difference is the contents they pump. Sewage pumps are designed to remove home sewage waste (solid and liquid) via your sewer line. 

On the other hand, sump pumps move excess groundwater to prevent flooding. Both are installed in homes built in lower elevations, especially below the water or sewer line.

Sewage Ejector Pump Requirements 

A successful sewage ejector system installation requires a vent to equalize the pumping pressure. The vent is an outlet for gasses from the sewer, running from the sump pit or up through the roof. Otherwise, it can be connected to an existing vent stack. Also, the ejector pump system should be sealed to prevent wastewater or odors from seeping out of the top of the basin. 

Here at Callaghan Pump, we supply branded sewage pumps for sale. We offer three different styles of sewage pumps to meet a wide range of pump needs: Hydromantic submersible pumps, Gorman Rupp self-priming pumps, and Carver vertical pedestal pumps. 

Contact us today for more information!