We’ve got a finished basement with an ejector/sewage/grinder pump. It works fine, but I noticed a while back it will run intermittently even when we’re not using water downstairs. Google led me to think groundwater was leaking in somehow, so I opened it up and sure enough a steady stream was coming in around the 3” inlet pipe. I’d never seen the inside prior to that, but it looks like either the whole pipe or just the hard rubber (could be plastic) fitting/grommet around the pipe on the inside got pushed away from the basin about an inch — maybe due to groundwater pressure after some bad storms.

I found some old discussions online via Google which led me to try sealing the gap around the pipe with JB Weld (water weld) and Flexseal spray, but while it definitely slowed down the flow around the top and sides, it was impossible to get anything to stick to the bottom and the pump still runs about every 30 min during and in the days after big rains.

First plumber who came to look said unless you’re going to replace the whole pit, just consider it another sump pump. That worries me because if I ever lose power or the pump burns out, the pit is going to continue filling with groundwater and eventually back up and overflow. Second plumber suggested it could only be repaired from the outside: break up the concrete outside the pit and try to block the flow of water going in around the pipe. He didn’t mention how, but since there’s water under that concrete, I’m wondering what kind of permanent fix could be done when it’s wet like that — and whether there’s a risk to disturbing the foundation. Thanks for any opinions and advice!

you have t dig a little to find the real problem