Electric Basement Sewage Pump

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#1

Originally Posted By: dconstant
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I inspected a home in the country the other day which had an electric sewage pump in the basement. Two bathroom drains dumped into a common line which then dumped into a sealed tank. Coming out of the tank was a waste line which was sloped upward, exiting the outside wall to the outside, where I believe it went to the septic tank. I assume the pump was in the bottom of this tank as wires when in through a sealed cover. Has anyone ever run across this type of a waste disposal system? What are some things to check as to its proper operation. Any idea of frequency of pumping i.e. every flush? I can’t be in both places at the same time and the house is unoccupied.

–
Doug Constant


Constant Home Inspections LLC


http://www.constant-inspections.com

#2

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Douglas:


Some areas of the country call them effluent pumps. Others call them grinder pumps. They operate with a float much like a sump pump except they can handle solids. You should probably at least check to make sure the thing kicks on. You can usually hear it after you run enough water into it. Most have alarms but the alarms are usually inaccessible and can only be checked by unplugging the pump and letting the effluent tank level raise...risky. So perhaps forget about testing the alarm. Usually the pump and alarm are on different circuits so the alarm functions if the pump circuit trips. This is usually easy to notice and note. A check valve usually exists too and is usually located above the cavity lid or at the discharge end of the pump itself. For obvious reasons the cavity lid should be well sealed for fumes. In some homes most or all fixtures go into one of these systems to get the effluent up to the street or septic system. In these rare cases I would recommend that the owner procure a new pump and have it ready to install in case the current one goes bad on Christmas morning. Plumbers are usually available 24/7 but most don't stock the $400 pump.

Nick

#3

Originally Posted By: chorne
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Hi Guys,


In these neck of the woods we call it a sanitary pump/
sanitary crock. Usually these are used because
bathrooms or whatever are in the basement below
the grade of the septic system. Therefore it will pump
up to the system tank or whatever the case may be.
They work good and I inspect that 1st its working,
and check around it to make sure that it is not leaking,
that the pump is operating and the aprox. age of the
pump.
Hope this helps.
Carla

#4

Originally Posted By: jremas
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You may want to check to see if there is a check valve installed to keep any sewage from coming back into the home.

–



Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com

570-362-1598
#5

Originally Posted By: ismetaniuk
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


This membership was a big waste of my time!

–
Igor


Top To Bottom Inspections


Glen Spey, NY

#6

Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Jeff,


Excellent Suggestion.


I noticed one of these sewer ejectors without a check valve and definately red flagged this situation.


Also… I let my customers know about the check valve in the sump pump hoses that go up the foundation and to the outside. Without this valve, all the water that just got pumped outside (and is in the line when the pump stops) comes right back in the sump hole.


Keep up the good work,

--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

#7

Originally Posted By: chorne
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Irby,


I supose that could be, I am from NH and I see
some crocks here as well! (big ones)

Carla ![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)

#8

Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
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Use an Internet search engine on either of the following phrases. You’ll find more than you can read.


"sewage ejector pump"
"grinder pump"

--
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, Kentucky
www.b4uclose.com