How to Maintain a Sewage Ejector Pump

A lot of plumbing works via the law of gravity, but what happens when you need wastewater from your home to run uphill? You'll need more than the power of gravity, and that's where sewage ejector pumps come in.

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If you have to install one of these devices in your home, you want to get the most out of your sewage ejector pump cost possible, which means maintaining your pump to support long-term use.

What Is a Sewage Ejector Pump?

If a bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, mud room or other space that might include sinks or plumbing fixtures is located below, or downhill from, a septic or sewer line, gravity can't cause wastewater to flow in the right direction. Instead, a sewage ejector pump is installed to keep the wastewater flowing uphill toward the main area where it needs to drain.

The basic mechanics of sewage ejection involve water moving, usually by gravity, from the source location to a sump basin. Source locations can include toilets, sinks, showers and tubs. When the sump basin reaches a predetermined fill level, the sewage ejector pump turns on, moving the water out of the basin to the septic or sewer line.

Where Is Mine Located?

Sewage ejector pumps are installed inside the holding tank, basin or ejector pit that initially collects the wastewater in these situations. They're typically housed below ground in the home or outside the home. Not all homes have sewage ejector pumps, as it depends on whether there are plumbing fixtures below the main septic or sewer line.

If you have any plans for your original home construction, you may be able to locate the basin and sewage ejector pump on them. If you're not sure if your home has a sewage ejector pump or where it might be, you may want to have a plumber inspect your system. They can let you know where your sewage ejector pump is and whether it's in good working order.

Do Sewage Ejector Pumps Need to Be Cleaned?

Yes, a sewage ejector pump should be cleaned periodically. On average, pumps may need to be cleaned annually, though heavier use may require cleaning twice per year or more often. Cleaning the pump reduces the chances that clogs or other issues could back up your system, causing wastewater to eventually enter your home. If individuals in your home regularly flush items such as wipes, you may need to clean your pump more often, as even "flushable" wipes don't break down quickly and can get caught in and damage your pump.

How Do You Clean a Sewage Ejector Pump?

You can hire a plumber to complete routine maintenance such as sewage ejector pump cleaning. However, if you are familiar with residential plumbing and want to do the job yourself — or you believe something in your system has created a clog and want to address it quickly yourself — you'll need to follow the steps below.

• Power down the unit. Do this by turning off the circuit breaker the pump is connected to, as you want to reduce any risk of shock. Never attempt to work on, clean or maintain a sewage ejector pump that's still connected to power.

• Locate your holding tank and open the access panel. Take a moment to remove any large debris that might be in the holding tank, such as paper towels or wipes that haven't broken down. If you clean the pump itself and don't remove these items, you could end up with a clog soon anyway.

• Check for clogs in the pump. Remove any clogs or debris in the open areas of the pump, including the inlet valve. You can do this with a gloved hand or use tools to knock debris away.

• Test the pump. Close the access panel, turn on the circuit breaker and test the pump. If things aren't flowing freely, repeat the steps above until they do.

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What Other Maintenance Does a Sewage Ejector Pump Require?

You may want to check the oil level for the pump motor when you're cleaning the pump. You can add oil if you need to. You can also remove debris from around the pump and wipe down the pump casing with a cloth if you like. Other maintenance or repairs may be complex enough to bring in a plumber, as you don't want to create any problems while you're trying to keep your sewage ejector pump in good working order.