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Author:
Whskygrl (OH)
Hello to all readers. Will try to keep this brief. My husband and I recently moved in will his aging mother and grandfather. So there are 6 total people using restroom facilities. Upstairs is presumed gravity fed.and only one full bathroom one sink and washer. In the basement is a shower stall toliet and sink as well as a small kitchen sink setup on the other wall. Im assumin it is a sewer ejector pump as it is lower that the main line out of the house. We are in town.recently as in within 5 yrs it was added to the cities sewer.I've never lived in town and when I did rented an apt.never had to know anything..lol. husband not a fix it yourself kind of guy also lived in apt. Prior to this. So we are ignorant at best to house plumbing issues. His mum probably not much better altho its her house..sigh. so my question to the forum is this..what should we do besides call a plumber. Which we already did.he was looking for parts or information on our ejector unit. I want to know what we can do to not make our problem worse. How to to help the plumber. How us to not get ripped off because we are ignorant. The pump is running not efficiently. Sometimes it doesn't want to turn off, sometimes it takes a couple flushes before it sends the water up. We have turned off water under sinks and at toliet. And not used them since coming home from a night shift and finding pump running for the night! We unplugged unit. Plugged back in and whoosh it sent water up so we assumed all is good. I did dishes in the sink.and it led to what appeared to be clean water standing in our toliet and shower stall. After I emptied that by hand into bucket. The remaining water ended up under our tile in the bathroom floor! So help..where do we start! What should we even tell the plumber to look at..the ejector pump or for a leak..
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
I've discovered over the decades that if you don't know, you pay. You pay for knowledge and performance. This would apply to all utilities like plumbing, electric and heat, air conditioning. Sometimes is not so much, other times it can be expensive. I'm sure the sump assembly needs attention. That attention might be a good cleaning after all these years. Its a nasty and dirty job, but someone who knows, has to do it. Perhaps, you can watch the first time to see what is done the the equipment used. This is only a suggestion.
Best Wishes
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Author:
m & m (MD)
It seems as though your problem lies with either the sewage pump or the float switch that controls it. Give your plumber all the details that you provided us and he should be able to make an informed diagnosis.
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Author:
tiffanywood (NY)
Wherever we are living,It is pretty much sure that we will require the services of a plumbing company.In your case,You must consult any professional plumber.They can understand your problem well and will definitely help you out.There are several plumbers available in the towns and cities which provide best plumbing services.You can take help from them also.Get more plumbing suggestions at [www.atlanticoceangrp.com] .
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Author:
srloren (CA)
You may find a plumber that specializes in Septic Tanks who is very familiar with the way these pumps work. First, be sure that you do not have any debris in your sump pit and it may require you to get down into the pit to clear the pump inlet around the bottom of the pump. You may have to disconnect the union that connects that stand pipe that comes up from the pump in order to remove it from the pit to access the debris, IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM. But you describe what could be a switch problem which is electrical. There could be a short or the switch float may be loose and not at the right height. I would start by clearing any trash out of the pit and clean out the pump inlet (holes around the bottom of the pump), then check that you don't have a short of faulty electrical switch. Good luck
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
? you expect a former apartment dweller to clean and then RESEAL an ejector pit ?
FUH - GED - 'BOUT - IT
Original Poster,
call a plumber, inform them you are having an issue with a sewage ejector pit, ASK if they are familiar/comfortable with said piping
it 'sounds' like you have a simple maintenance issue
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
srloren (CA)
Read the post again. I said to clear any debris around the pump if you can reach it. Otherwise the Union needs to be disconnected and the pump removed from the pit and cleared of any debris. If this job is too overwhelming have a Plumber do it. Yes this assumes that they have access to 18 or 24 pipe wrenchs to disconnect.... what is so difficult about unscrewing a union. A little thought is needed and a little elbow grease. Otherwise call out the Plumber that is familiar with sump pits, pumps, etc.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
a sump pump is totally different than a sewage ejector pump
said ejector pump sits in an AIRTIGHT chamber which is oft difficult even for a pro to reseal properly
an ejector pump 'macerates' and pumps RAW SEWAGE from a 'pit', but, not all the way to the bottom of said pit
cleaning said pit is NOT an undertaking for the faint of heart
nor for the inexperienced
juuuuust perhaps the previous installer installed a sump pump and NOT a sewage ejector pump ??!!
Original Poster,
call a plumber, inform them you are having an issue with a sewage ejector pit, ASK if they are familiar/comfortable with said piping
it 'sounds' like you have a simple maintenance issue
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
bernabeu (SC) I stand corrected. My experience precludes ejector pumps and I should have recognized the difference. I have cleared many sump pumps in my day. Sorry for the confusion to the original poster.
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