What Does a Sewage Ejector Pump Do?

By Melanie Dawn

October 10, 2024

You’ve always dreamed of finishing your basement and creating a space where your family and friends can hang out and enjoy. Now that it’s complete, you’re discovering gravity is not your friend when removing waste from the basement bathroom and moving it to the main sewage line, which is above ground.

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Fortunately, one way to solve this issue is by installing a sewage ejector pump.

What Is a Sewage Ejector Pump?

Sewage ejector pumps are installed in the lowest level of your home within a sewage basin beneath your basement floor. When wastewater in the basin reaches a certain level, the pump turns on. It pumps the sewage up to the main sewer level, where gravity takes over and routes the waste to your septic tank or municipal sewage system.

There are three main types of sewage ejector pumps:

Submersible Sewage Ejector Pumps

Submersible pumps are the most-used type of sewage ejector pumps. These pumps are submerged within a sump basin. Some submersible pumps include a grinding action that further breaks down waste, making it easier to pump to the surface.

Self-Priming Sewage Ejector Pumps

Rather than being submerged, these pumps sit on top of a sump basin and fill themselves with water before transporting wastes through the system.

Vertical Pumps

Some older homes may still use a vertical pump. The motor of a vertical pump sits on top of a plate, while the discharge pipe is submerged inside a sewage basin. These pumps typically require more maintenance and are outdated in use for newer homes.

How Do Ejector Pumps Work?

When you flush the toilet or run the water in the basement, the wastewater collects inside the sewage basin. This basin is sealed, which prevents odors and gases from escaping. Once the level inside the basin reaches the floating mechanism, the pump turns on, which moves the waste up through a discharge pipe and into the main sewer line. When the pump finishes, the pit empties and the float resets. This cycle repeats each time you flush the toilet or turn on the water.

Do I Need a Sewer Ejector Pump in My Basement?

Depending on how your home’s plumbing system is set up, you may need to install an ejector pump in your basement. Typically, if you have any appliances, toilets or faucets located below ground level or your main sewer line, you’ll need an ejector pump to keep water moving smoothly. Without one of these pumps, you may be faced with flooding, odors and gases, structural damage and costly repair issues.

The following are a few conditions where a sewage ejector pump is useful.

Basement Laundry Area

It’s not uncommon to have a mudroom or laundry area in the basement of your home, especially located near a back door. The water generated from normal washing must be connected to the ejector pit and the sewage ejector pump.

Bathroom

Sewer pumps aren’t just for toilets. If you have a basement shower or bathroom sink installed on a lower level of your home, you’ll need a bathroom pump to ensure waste is moved efficiently to the main sewer line.

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Professional Sewage Ejector Pump Installation

Typically, anytime you plan on creating additional living space in your basement, you’ll need to install a sewage ejector pump to ensure the system works correctly. Once installed, these pumps require routine maintenance and last between seven and 10 years.

If you’re considering a basement remodel and you’re unsure if you need to install a sewage pump, contact an experienced plumber who can evaluate your needs.

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