Sump Pump or Sewage Ejector?
Many people have heard of sump pumps, but not many people know about sewer ejectors- also called sewage ejector pumps. And with all of the different makes and models of pumps out there for both sump pumps and sewage ejectors, it can be hard to tell which you have in your home without the help of a professional.
So what’s the difference between a sump pump and a sewer ejector? A sump pump deals mostly with excess water in and around a basement, to control and prevent flooding. By having a properly dug sump pump pit in the lowest area of the basement of a home, excess water from the ground, rainwater, and storm water is collected in the pit and pumped by the sump pump out of the home and into a storm sewer or a city’s wastewater system. It can even pump away the excess water in the soil around the foundation of a home, to prevent basement moisture, mold, and flooding.
The actual wastewater from the sinks, tubs, and showers in most homes is drained into the sanitary sewer or city’s sewage system by a series of drains and pipes powered simply by gravity. However, in some situations a drain, laundry line, tub or other wastewater creator can be located too low in the home to drain by gravity. This is when the home needs a sewage ejector pump to force the wastewater into the sanitary sewer.
If you have a sewer ejector in your home and sewer gases are leaking out of the pit and causing a sewage smell in your basement, it may not be properly installed or maintained. The covers for older sewage ejector pumps are commonly made out of steel and can corrode and lose their airtight seal over the years. If you notice sewer gas smells near your pump, contact The Scottish Plumber right away to have it inspected and make sure it’s in working order. The presence of sewage in a home that is not pumping it out of the basement effectively is a concern for the health and safety of the home’s occupants.