My wife and I are looking at a new construction townhouse that has a sewer ejector pump due to grade. Upon inspection, we saw that it doesn't seem to have any sort of venting and we're stumped. Does anyone know how the system might work?

? Are they mad ?

RUN

RUN FAST

RUN FAR

CAVEAT EMPTOR

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

it looks like a fine install to me.
have a read here..
[www.plumbingsupply.com]

With it installed like that, is it ok to lock down the lid, or is it relying on it not being an airtight seal to vent?

It is an allowed installation of the modern junk we now accept as plumbing.

The lid may NOT be locked down.

When, not if but when, it fails are you content to deal with the resultant problem(s) ?

Are you content to deal with the recommended maintenance / cleaning ?

? Why not find a house w/o an ejector ?

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

yes it is.

follow up for the OP:

Quote

Q. "How are these Zoeller Outdoor Pre-packaged systems normally installed?"
A.Installation is normally done by digging a hole at least 24" larger in diameter than the basin diameter to allow for a 12" backfill all around it. The backfill material should be 1/8" -3/4" pea gravel or 1/8" -1/2" crushed stone. The hole should be dug deep enough to allow for 12" of compacted backfill or 6" deep if a concrete pad will be required. Do not backfill until the inlet and discharge plumbing lines have been installed into the basin. The hole should be at least 10 feet from adjacent structures. The top of the basin should be flush with the top of the surface of the ground for access to the pump and basin. When located below grade a riser is recommended to bring the lid up to ground surface for easy access to the pump and interior of the basin. The installer will need to dig a trench and plumb the fixtures to drain into the 4" basin inlet which can be bushed down to 3" if needed. A trench will also need to be dug for the discharge pipe and for the electrical conduit. The sewage discharge exits from the side of the basin to be plumbed horizontally underground and tied into the main drain or directly into the septic tank if dictated by ground elevations.

Installing a check/ball valve combination in the discharge pipe allows you to stop back flow from reaching the sump while servicing it. The electrical needs to be protected from weather conditions either in an approved electrical box rated for outdoors, or run back into the building structure. Venting for outdoor systems can normally be vented on the basin cover as necessary, but must be in accordance to all applicable National, State, and Local plumbing codes. Do NOT use an automatic plumbing vent device or air admittance valve that allows air to flow in but not to flow out, similar to "Provent®", or "Studor®" air admittance valves. You might consider using a Maxi-Filtra™ filter vent. Please remember, all discharge and venting plumbing, must be installed to meet local codes. Most Zoeller sewage pump systems are packaged for shipping with environmentally safe water soluble peanuts that will not need to be removed. Once the sewage system is installed and in use, the fluid level will rise and trigger the float switch which then turns on the pump and pumps the sewage through the check valve and into the regular drain line or septic tank. Click here for typical installation.

Reminder: A check valve is needed for these sewage sump systems and for your convenience we offer a few choices giving you the freedom to choose the one that is best for your application. All of the Zoeller check valves sold separately on this page can be installed on vertical or horizontal pipe.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

i have never seen this type chamber vented..
also, whoever drew that picture knows less than zero.
you NEVER have the float ball located under the inlet pipe. it will catch all the toilet paper etc ontop of it and stop functioning..
the drawing does say local codes apply...

source of the pic:

www*plumbingsupply*com/images/zoeller-sewage-package-typical-outdoor-installation*png

(replace * with .)


however

no argument with elevation of inlet vs. float

but

vent is ABSOLUTELY required

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

i believe that because of the 2 covers this is what he has. a step system pumping up to a full bore sewer.
[hydrotecsolutions.com]

OP,


A septic AND a pump !?

RUN FAST

RUN FAR

RUN RUN RUN

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638



Edited 1 times.

the city next to me has STEP systems in one outlying section. the waste from the houses goes into a septic tank but the effulant (liquid) from the tank goes to a step tank and is pumped thru a 1 inch PVC line to a 4 inch full bore sewer.

the key word is CITY




IMO, If it don't flow by gravity it is N/F/G

otherwise known as: KISS

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638