Sump and Ejector Pumps

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.