Is Your Basement Ready For Wet, Winter Weather?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Higher water levels during the winter and following spring are often the causes of basement flooding. If you have a home with a basement prone to flooding, the best solution is the installation of a sump pump. Sump pumps collect excess water surrounding your home’s foundation and pump the water out away from the structure to prevent flooding and potential foundation damage. With winter quickly approaching, now is the time to ensure you have a properly working sump pump to keep water from flooding your basement, causing expensive water and mold damage.

Installing A New Sump Pump For Your Home

If  you have a home with a basement and do not yet have a sump pump installed, opting to install one is a worthwhile investment. It only takes one heavy wet season to flood your basement, and cause expensive water damage to your home. Not only will floodwater ruin flooring, walls and furniture, it can leave moisture residue that causes mold problems. Your local sewer or septic service company can install a new sump pump to keep your basement dry throughout the wet season.

Maintaining A Sump Pump

For those who already have a sump pump, you will want to make sure your pump is ready for the winter by having it inspected and serviced. Just like any mechanical device, your sump pump will need preventative maintenance and attention from time to time to keep it running properly. It is much easier and less expensive to maintain your sump pump than to have it fail when you need it most. Call your local sewer or septic professional to schedule a sump pump inspection before the full force of winter is upon us.

Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA
(770) 927-7926

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Do You Have Basement Flooding Issues?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Basements are notorious for flooding, from slight leaking to several inches of water covering the floor. Although there are options like sealing basement walls or even completing expensive foundation repairs which can sometimes alleviate basement flooding, the most cost effective option is adding a sump pump and pit. If you’ve been having problems with water seeping into your basement, it may be time to invest in a sump pit and pump. 

How A Sump Pump Works

In homes with basements, installation of a sump pump and pit is fairly common. If, for some reason, this installation was not completed at the time of construction, your property may be susceptible to water leaks. Sump pits are typically build at the floor level of a basement, creating an area in which excess moisture can collect and be discarded once the water level reaches a predesignated point. The water level rises, the sump pump is activated, and water is pumped away from the foundation and other vulnerable areas of a home. 

A sump pump and pit is a necessity in homes with basements located in regions where heavy rains or flooding are common. This is a worthwhile investment for homeowners, especially considering the damage basement flooding can do to furnishings and personal property and the potential for foundation deterioration. 

Don’t spend another winter with a wet basement. If your home lacks a sump pump and pit for your basement, it’s time to call your local septic or sewer contractor. They can recommend the type of sump pump which will work best for your home, and professionally install it before the wet winter weather hits.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

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Sump Pumps Versus Ejector Pumps Problems

May 8th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Most homes with a basement will have at least a sump pump, with many also having an ejector pump. Although these pumps are similar, they have very different purposes. As a homeowner, it is important to understand the difference so that when something goes wrong with either pump, you have an easier time troubleshooting and finding a solution to the problem.

Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are used in many homes to keep ground water that surrounds the home’s foundation out of the basement. Typically a sump pump is in a cylindrical-shaped enclosure in the floor, called the sump basin, which is connected to the drain tile system. Ground water collects in the sump basin until the level of water triggers the sump pump’s float device. Once the float is triggered, the sump pump is activated and pumps the excess water up into the discharge pipe. This will direct the water into the sewer, septic or drain field away from the house’s foundation.

Ejector Pumps

Like sump sumps, ejector pumps push excess water out of the basement. However, instead of ground water, ejector pumps will collect and pump gray water from basement drains and water appliances or fixtures. These are typically found in homes with partially or fully finished basements which have a washer, utility sink or floor drain.

Since the water in sump pumps is usually clear ground water, it is rarely the source of the distinct smell of sewer or wastewater. While a flooding basement is often the first sign of a sump pump gone bad, a sewer odor in your basement may be an ejector pump problem. Either way, your local sewer or septic professional is the first call you should make to get the issue resolved.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Why Does My Septic System Have An Ejector Pump?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Ejector pumps are used on traditional septic systems due to grade conditions on the drain field.  In a perfect world the drain field would be located on a flat section of ground or ground falling away from the house.  However not every lot is flat and given the design criteria for septic systems often requires the use of land that rises away from the house.  In these cases an ejector pump is uses to pump the sewage uphill into a distribution box where it is distributed into the various perforated pipes making up the drain field, with gravity doing the rest.

In most cases a separate structure other than the septic tank contains the ejector pump, which is activated when the level inside of the tank turns on the pump.  When the level inside of the holding tank goes down, the pump shuts off.  In many jurisdictions, an alarm may be required, which advises the property owner that there is a problem with the ejector pump system.  Otherwise the property owner will not realize there is an issue until the toilets will not flush!

The required maintenance on ejector pumps is limited, with a check of the system being made each time the septic tank is pumped.  Obviously whenever the alarm goes off, a septic contractor should be called immediately to determine the cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs.  The use of ejector pumps on septic systems gives the property owner more options as far as where on the property to locate the structure, while still being able to install a code compliant septic system.  Otherwise many properties would be suitable for building!

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Sewer and Septic

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Keep Your Basement Dry with a Sump Pump

March 12th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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A basement can add to the useful square footage of your home, providing valuable storage or living space. If it’s prone to flooding or leakage, it can also be the source of mold growth, structural damage and create the need for expensive repairs or renovations. One way to protect your basement from leaks, flooding and water damage is to install a sump pump.

What is a Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are usually installed inside a sump pit, which is a hole designed specifically for the collection of excess water for drainage with the aid of a sump pump. The pump is then connected to a drain line which directs water out of the basement. Most operate on a float system, which activates the sump pump with a signal when the water level rises above a predefined level. This allows any rain water or collected moisture to be directed away from your basement, keeping it dry and preventing future water damage. Sump pumps should not be confused with ejector pumps, which are designed to remove solid waste from sinks, toilets and other outlets which are situated below the main water line.

Choosing the Right Sump Pump

There are many different brands and types of sump pumps available on the commercial market, each designed to address specific needs. Because of this wide variance and the need for precise installation, it’s always best to contact a professional in order to have a sump pump installed. A plumbing contractor, septic or sewer professional will be able to help you make the right selection, and to ensure proper installation of your new sump pump.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Septic & Sewer

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Sump Pump Installation and Repair

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Sump pumps are a critical part of keeping every basement dry, especially on those homes where it is not possible to “daylight” the drain tile.  On these homes the rainwater collected in the drain tile and stone drainage system installed along the footings is not allowed to escape and stays in place.  Ultimately this leads to basement leaks!  In an ideal world, the drain tile would be run out to a point on the property below the level of the footings and be allowed to escape by gravity.  However, this is not possible on many properties because of grade conditions and the only solution available to keep basements dry in this situation, is to install a sump pump pit and a sump pump.

A sump pit is installed level with the basement floor, where drainage pipes from the footing allow the water in the drain tile and stone to flow into the pit.  The sump pump, which is electrically powered, is installed in the pit.  When a sensor detects water in the pit, the sump pump then turns on and pumps the water out of the pit and to the outside of the home via a sealed pipe.

As with most mechanical systems, it is critical that the sump pump system be regularly inspected by a qualified contractor, who installs and services sump pump systems.  They have the expertise and qualifications to quickly and economically repair or replace the pump as necessary.  In addition, they can install a completely new sump pump system, including pit and pump, if necessary.  A properly installed and maintained sump pump is critical to keeping a basement dry.

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Ejector Pumps

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Many homes have an either a full or partial bathroom located in the basement.  Often, because of the elevation of the below slab plumbing in the basement and the sewer or the septic tank and drain field, which is at a higher elevation, it is not possible for the sewage and waste water from the basement bathroom to be removed by a traditional gravity fed sewer.

Instead of the sewage and waste water flowing into the sewage or septic system by traditional gravity means, it is necessary to collect the sewage and waste water in a holding tank, where an ejector pump is used to pump the sewage and waste water out of the basement and into the existing sewage or septic system, which is at a higher elevation.  Without these pumps, it would not be possible to have a bathroom in many finished basements.

In today’s economic environment, many homeowners are choosing to finish their basements instead of buying a new home.   Whenever possible a bathroom should be included in the scope of the project because of the value it adds to a home.  A qualified contractor specializing in drainage systems can evaluate the home’s need for an ejector pump system for the basement bathroom.

In addition, they can install the storage tank, as well as the ejector pump.  In addition, they can also install an alarm system to notify the homeowner of the pump’s failure.  The contractor can also perform regularly scheduled inspections and repairs of the system.  As with any other mechanical system in a home, the periodic inspection maintenance and repair of the ejector pump by a qualified contractor is required to keep all systems operating properly!

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Sump and Ejector Pumps

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Just about any home with an in ground basement is going to need a sump pump and perhaps an ejector pump.  A sump pump is used to remove rainwater and groundwater from the area around the home’s footings, while the ejector pump is used to pump sewage out of the home and into the sanitary sewer system.   A qualified plumbing contractor that specializes in sump pumps and ejector pumps will be able to install, repair, maintain and replace these systems as necessary.

In homes with a full in-ground basement, there is not a way for rainwater and ground water that is collected in the drain tile to be removed from the footings.  Often this leads to a leaky or otherwise damp and “musty” basement.  A pit is installed in the basement slab and the drain tile is routed into the pit.  A pump is then installed in the pit, which is connected to a drain line that is routed out of the home.  The pump is plugged in to an electrical outlet and the pump is operational.  As the pit fills up with water, the sump pump then pumps the water out of the pit and it is discharged outside of the home.

Ejector pumps are used when the lowest point of the plumbing in a home is below the sanitary sewer outside of the home.  As a result, sewage from the home is unable to be discharged into the sanitary system.  The solution is to install a pit to collect the sewage, with the ejector pump removing the sewage from the pit.  It is pumped into a pipe at a higher elevation, which then allows the sewage to be gravity fed into the sewer system.

If necessary, both pumps are critical to the home being able to function as designed and be habitable.  Both pumps must be regularly checked by a qualified plumbing contractor, who specializes in this type of work, for proper operation.

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Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Upon purchasing a new home, you find a pump in the basement and you have no idea what it’s for. First off, don’t be embarrassed. This is one of the most common questions asked by customers of sewer-septic service providers. Second, chances are, the pump is either a sump pump or an ejector pump.

Sump Pump 

A sump pump is used to drain excess water from the basement to keep it from flooding. This is especially important in coastal and other areas that are prone to flooding. Sump pumps keep excess water at bay and also help preserve foundations from cracking due to pressure from groundwater.

Typically, the sump pump is installed in a sump pit, a specially made hole for holding excess water from drains and natural water migration. When the water reaches a certain level, the sump pump lifts the water out of the hole and away from the building.

It’s always a good idea to have a battery back up for your sump pump. These are usually relatively inexpensive and easy to install and worth every penny if you want to avoid costly damages due to a basement flood.

Ejector Pump 

An ejector pump may resemble a sump pump, but it has an entirely different purpose. An ejector pump’s job is to pump solid waste and wastewater from toilets and sinks that are below the main water line. It is most often seen in houses with bathrooms or washing machines in the basement.

The ejector pump is placed in an ejector basin, a pit in the floor that is connected to sewer or septic pipes. The pump grinds up any solids, then pumps the effluent up from the basement and out to the septic system or city sewer.

One important note about ejector pumps is that the ejector basin must be sealed to avoid leakage of methane, a dangerously explosive gas. If you notice any foul smells around the basin, it is essential you call your sewer-septic right away to investigate and make any necessary repairs or replacements.

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Sump Pump 101

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Depending on where you live and the terrain of your property, you may be at risk for flooding. When heavy rains fall and the water rises, it’s not at all uncommon for basements to flood. Even a few inches of standing water can create very real damage that’s prohibitively expensive for some homeowners to deal with.

Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to prevent flooding, even if you live in an area with a high water table or you’re at low elevation. By purchasing and installing a sump pump, you’re protecting the sub-level of your home from very real damages resulting from flooding.

When a sump pit gets full, there’s no outlet for excess water. At this point, it will either overflow into your basement or begin to seep through cracks and fissures in your foundation. A sump pump, however, will force that water out of your home through a pipe that leads into a designated storm drain.

Sump pumps operate with a float system that’s similar to that of a toilet, except for the fact that it works in reverse. Where a toilet float stops the flow of water once a certain level is reached inside of the tank, a float in a sump pump activates when the water level rises and continues operating until the water is removed.

There are a variety of models on the market, which is where a licensed and reliable local plumbing professional comes in. By evaluating your home and it’s flooding risk, your plumber can help you find and install the perfect model to suit your needs. They also require a bit of routine maintenance, and an incorrect initial setup can render your sump pump largely useless. Contact a plumber in your area today to talk about what your home needs in terms of a sump pump, before the spring rains begin and bring with them the risk of flooding.

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