This is a topic that creates confusion and wonder for clients and friends alike. These two pumps are often thought to have the same jobs, but the truth is, they have very different goals. The mechanical pumps in our homes are solutions to problems we face in residential home construction, what to do with all of this water. Is it a sump pump or is it a sewage ejection pump? In this article were going to break down the differences of sump pumps and sewage ejector pumps.
Sump Pump VS Sewage Ejection Pump: Understanding The Key Differences
- Sump pumps prevent flooding and water damage in basements or crawl spaces
- Sump pumps have a motor, pump, and float switch and can come with backup systems for power outages
- Sewage ejector pumps pump wastewater from a building into a septic tank or sewer system if the main sewer drain out of the home is higher than the lowest drain in the basement
- Sewage ejector pumps have a basin, pump, one way valve and float switch and are designed to be durable and handle large volumes of waste
- Installing Bluetooth water sensors near your sump pit and sewer ejector pumps can help you monitor for any pump failures. Check out the link below for some of the top rated leak detectors https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-water-leak-detectors
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is a device that is typically installed in the lowest point of a basement or crawl space. If you live on a property with a high-water table or on a hillside these pumps can be an important step in keeping your basement or crawlspace dry. It is a small pump that is placed in a specially constructed pit, called a sump pit, that collects water that seeps into sub grade areas below the basement slab or foundation. These pits are installed at the lowest point where water would collect. The pump is designed to automatically turn on when the water level in the pit reaches a certain level, and then pumps the water out of the pit and away from the house.
Sump pumps come in different sizes and styles, but they all have a similar basic design. They consist of a motor, a pump, and a float switch and drain pipes. The motor powers the pump, which is submerged in the water in the sump pit. The float switch is attached to the pump and is designed to turn the pump on when the water level rises and off when the water level falls. Some sump pumps also come with backup systems, such as batteries or generators, to ensure that they continue to work during power outages. Overall, sump pumps are an important component for homeowners to protect their homes from water damage and below grade flooding.
Sump pumps have an average life expectancy of 7 to 10 years. Many factors can affect the average lifespan of a sump pump. One of the most significant factors is the actual pit itself. In some older homes the pit for the sump pump is quite literally a hole dug into the slab or dirt crawl space that a pump is submerged into. These pumps will fail on the earlier end of the spectrum because of the silt and debris associated with dirt sump pits. Checking and cleaning debris from these open sump pits can help reduce the chance for sump pump failure. A more modern approach to the sump pit is an enclosed plastic or fiberglass pit. The pumps in these types of sump pit will typically last longer then the former because it will not be subject to silt and gravel running through the pump. Check out this article for more information about maintaining sump pits. https://thewaterworks.com/sump-pump-maintenance-checklist/
What is a sewage ejector pump?
A sewage ejection pump is an essential device that helps to pump wastewater from the home into a septic tank or municipal sewer system. These pumps are usually installed in basements with bathrooms, laundry hook ups or kitchens. If your main sewer line out of the home is higher then the basement drain fixtures, you will need a sewage ejection pump to properly drain wastewater from these plumbing fixtures. Sewage ejection pumps come in different sizes and shapes depending on the specific needs of a property. They are typically designed to be durable and long-lasting, with a powerful motor that can handle large volumes of waste. A macerating toilet is another great option for basement bathroom additions or basement suites. Discussing these options with a qualified plumbing professional should always be your first steps when planning a project like this. https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/macerating-toilets-complete-guide
A typical sewage ejection pump consists of a basin that collects wastewater, a pump that moves the wastewater to the septic tank or sewer system, and a float switch that activates the pump when the water level in the basin rises. The pump is connected to a discharge pipe that directs the wastewater up to the main sewer drain out of the home. A check valve should be installed on the outlet drain to prevent any back flow of wastewater into the ejector pump pit.
Pump Maintenance
Based on all this information, you now know that these pumps perform an important role in keeping our homes safe and dry. A diligent homeowner will check and test their sump and sewage pumps regularly for good function and maintenance purposes. Here is a few ways you can test your pumps.
How to test your sump or ejection pump
Sump pump
If the sump pit is dry, you should first put a bucket of water in the sump pit as to not run the pump dry. Dry running your sump pump can put extra strain and stress on the pump and is not recommended. Once the inlet is below the water line you can lift on the ball valve to ensure the pump is operational. You should test your sump pump a minimum of two times a year in the spring and fall to ensure it will work when it needs to. Failure to maintain your sump pump can result in basement flooding and water damage.
Sewage ejector pumps
The easiest way to test your sewage ejection pump is by running all the plumbing fixtures that drain to this pump. Once the ejector pump pit is filled, the pump motor should engage, and wastewater should be pumped out. I would check this function 2 to 3 times a year. Failure to maintain your sewage ejection pump can result in wastewater flooding in your basement. Sewage leaks can create unsanitary conditions and cleaning this type of water damage up can be costly and time consuming.
If your buying or selling a home in the North Okanagan or Shuswap, give the pros at Argos Home Inspection a call. Come find out why we are quickly becoming the highest rated home inspection company and why our clients love what we do! Check out www.argoshome.ca or give us a call at 250-937-7754.
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