In this article, you’ll find details on how to maintain your sewage ejector pump.
Homes with plumbing fixtures located below the level of the main sewer or septic line need to have sewage ejector pumps installed.
Also called the pump-up ejector system, this ejector pump performs the vital function of pushing or elevating wastewater to the level of the main sewer line.
From there, the process of wastewater disposal continues naturally through the action of gravity.
Sewage Ejector Pump Maintenance Checklist
Sewage ejector pump maintenance can be executed on different levels. There are routine procedures as well as more complex maintenance best performed by a trained technician.
-
How Sewage Ejector Pumps Work
To better understand its maintenance, it’s necessary to first consider the workings of a sewage ejector pump.
As stated earlier, the need for this pump arises when municipal sewer lines are located at a higher level than a home’s plumbing fixtures or drain line.
The sewage ejector pump serves to lift or pump up wastewater to the level of the municipal sewer line or septic (for septic systems) line for onward down flow to the point of treatment via gravity.
Now, sewage ejector points are designed to sit in a sump basin or pit which collects wastewater from different points.
Different drain lines coming from different points within the basement are channeled into the sump basin to empty their contents.
Once the wastewater reaches a predetermined level, the sewage ejector pump is automatically activated to pump up the contents to the municipal sewer line located at a higher level.
This pump is ideal for low-lying bathrooms, laundry room(s), and kitchens.
It serves the purpose of aiding with efficient disposal of wastewater from low-lying areas where an upward push is needed to get the waste to where it can flow easily via gravity to the treatment point.
How do you maintain an ejector pump?
Why Call for Maintenance of Sewage Ejector Pump?
As a mechanical device, your sewage ejector pump is bound to require some form of maintenance due to wear and tear issues among others.
Also, preventive maintenance is one procedure that helps keep the sewage ejector pump in a normal and functional state at all times.
Without maintenance, a sewage ejector pump is bound to develop all sorts of issues. More importantly, a pump that isn’t maintained will hardly reach its set lifespan.
Routine maintenance will require performing thorough inspections of the sewage ejector pump to determine its condition.
Basically, there are two maintenance types; they include preventive maintenance and repairs due to blockages or burnouts.
Each of these maintenance procedures serves a purpose aimed at improving and maintaining the proper working condition of the pump. Let’s explain each of these types as follows;
-
Preventive Maintenance of Sewage Ejector Pumps
The preventive type of maintenance for ejector pumps seeks to determine the state or condition of the pump and carry out any needed fix that helps promote smooth operation.
Here, the ejector pump doesn’t need to have issues before it’s fixed.
Possible maintenance actions performed here include inspection of bearings and motor with possible replacement carried out where necessary. Also, the motor chamber is checked to determine the oil level and also to see if there’s contamination or any need for repair.
The inspection process also looks closely at the seal for signs of leakage or wear. If there are any, an immediate fix is performed. What more? Other vital components of the sewage ejector pump such as the impeller are inspected.
The body is also checked for clogging issues.
-
Repairs of Sewage Ejector Pumps
This is the other type of sewage ejector pump maintenance that’s aimed at addressing blockages and burnouts caused by foreign bodies.
There are things that shouldn’t be dumped or thrown down your drain lines as they could cause problems or affect the normal functioning of the sewer system.
Examples of these foreign bodies include dental floss, cigarette butts, tampons, clothes dryer sheets, diapers, latex products, paper towels, cotton swabs, and sanitary napkins just to name a few.
These can get trapped or clogged up in the sewage ejector pump leading to burnout.
For your pump to last long, it must not have to deal with any of these.
You can have these items properly disposed of in your garbage while freeing your sewer system and allowing it to run smoothly without any of these unwanted items causing interruptions or problems.
Proper Maintenance Actions for Sewage Ejector Pumps
Sewage ejector pumps do a great job of helping with the disposal of wastewater.
Any issue that develops is likely to negatively impact normal functioning. To ensure your pump is functional at all times, there are certain actions that must be taken towards its maintenance.
They include checking for wiring issues, doing your own maintenance, and also scheduling a yearly inspection.
All of these actions are necessary for the proper functioning of your sewage ejector pump, hence making it unlikely for issues to develop.
-
Checking for Wiring Issues
When the normal functioning of your sewage ejector pump is interrupted, one of the first things to do is check the wiring. This electrically powered pump system may have developed problems requiring electrical solutions.
However, there’s little you can do here if you have little to no knowledge of electrical connectivity.
A qualified technician like an electrician will have to be called to take a look. Sometimes, a simple repair may fix the problem. In some cases, a rewiring of the whole pump may be recommended.
-
Doing your Own Inspection and Calling for Help when the Need Arises
It’s important to conduct a periodic visual check of your sewage ejector pump.
This helps you identify a problem early enough before it worsens. Of course, you’ll have to call for professional help if anything suspicious is noticed.
-
Scheduling Yearly Maintenance
For your sewage ejector pump to be in excellent working condition, a definite maintenance interval will have to be maintained. Most technicians will recommend performing yearly inspections even when there are no obvious or noticeable issues with the pump.
Sewage ejector pumps perform better and tend to have an extended lifespan when regular maintenance is done.
Now you have some idea about sewage ejector pump maintenance. With this knowledge, you shouldn’t wait until your pump develops issues before calling for professional help.