Very few systems in the home are as critical as ejector pumps. When your ejector pump stops working, you must stop using some, if not all, of your home’s plumbing fixtures. If the problem is not fixed immediately, the resulting sanitary issues can make your home uninhabitable, notes DeSantis Management team.
That’s because the ejector pump is a vital link between your drains and your main sewer line. It ensures that despite the differences between the levels of the municipal sewer in the street and some of your home’s plumbing fixtures, your plumbing can function normally.
This is why it is vital to always stay steps ahead of problems in your ejector pump system. Like other systems or components of your home, ejector pump issues are to be expected. But to avoid major disruptions to your lifestyle, you want to detect and fix those problems early.
To do this effectively, you need a clear distinction between ejector pump issues that can be DIY-ed and those that need the attention of a professional. Trying to DIY problems that should be left to a licensed plumber is a major cause of ejector pump emergencies in the home.
How can you tell when your ejector pump needs professional attention versus when the problems in the system can be DIY-ed? If you have the following ejector problems in your home, it is time to get an experienced plumber to look at the system.
The pump is not powering up
You should not immediately call a plumber if your ejector pump refuses to power up. The problem might be due to something you could fix easily. To troubleshoot this issue, first check that the pump is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped off.
Suppose there is no issue with the power supply, proceed to check the float switch. Inspect it to make sure it is not jammed. The float switch will also not work if the arm is displaced or the pump has been moved out of its place by the motor vibrations.
If you don’t find any problems, it may be time to get professional help. There is a chance that even if the pump is connected to power, the motor is not receiving power. There could also be problems with the wiring or the pump motor may have blown.
The pump runs non-stop
Once again, this can be due to problems with the float switch. The float switch switches the ejector pump on and off. To do this, it depends on the level of wastewater inside the basin. If the float switch is stuck the ejector pump may run without stopping.
Your ejector pump will run continuously if the check valve is stuck or damaged. The check valve keeps wastewater from cycling back into the pump after it has been pumped out. If the check valve is faulty the ejector pump will cycle continuously.
Another problem that can cause an ejector pump to cycle no-stop is a clogged discharge pipe. A clogged discharge line will create back pressure. You will need professional help to check if the check valve is stuck or broken. You also need an expert plumber if the discharge line is clogged.
The ejector pump is not pumping adequately
Sometimes your ejector pump will not empty the basin. This could also be due to problems with the check valve or drainage pipe. However, it can also happen if the pump capacity is below what is required for the amount of wastewater entering the basin.
If the pump has worked well in the past but has recently become less effective, there is a possibility that the pump impeller is damaged. The problem could also be due to debris in the pump’s intake ports. Blocked intake ports prevent optimal ejector pump performance.
A blocked intake port is fairly easy to deal with since it only requires the pump to be cleaned. However, because this requires the pump to be disassembled, you need expert help. Fixing a broken impeller is a job for a professional; that is, if the problem can be fixed.
The ejector pump needs to be replaced
You need professional help if you want to replace your ejector pump. An experienced plumber will guide you in selecting a pump that solves the problems of your previous system.
Also, if your current system is too small for the volume of wastewater generated by your home, an expert can do a proper assessment of your current and future needs and help you upgrade the system accordingly
Finally, you do not only need the expertise of a plumber when there are issues with your ejector pump. For optimal performance of the ejector pump system, you want to ensure that the system is thoroughly inspected, cleaned and serviced by a professional at least once a year.
Professional inspection, cleaning and servicing of your ejector pump system by an expert can help you avoid most of the problems discussed in this post. An expert not only helps to improve the system’s performance, he/she can prolong the life of your ejector pump.