Sump pumps and sewage ejector pumps protect your home from flooding and sewage backup. Here is when to replace them and what the job involves.
Sump pumps and sewage ejector pumps are two of the most important — and most overlooked — components in homes with basements or below-grade plumbing. Both protect your home from serious water and sewage damage, and both fail without much warning when they reach the end of their service life.
A sump pump removes groundwater that accumulates in a sump pit, preventing basement flooding during heavy rain or snowmelt. Most sump pumps last 7 to 10 years. Signs of a failing sump pump include unusual noise during operation, the pump running continuously, or the pump not activating when water rises in the pit.
A sewage ejector pump handles waste from below-grade fixtures — basement bathrooms, laundry rooms, or utility sinks that are lower than the main sewer line. When an ejector pump fails, those fixtures back up immediately. Ejector pumps typically last 7 to 10 years as well.
Replacement of either pump involves shutting off power to the unit, disconnecting the discharge line and check valve, removing the old pump, and installing the new unit with proper connections and a new check valve. The job typically takes 1 to 2 hours.
1Up Plumbing replaces sump pumps and sewage ejector pumps throughout Caldwell, Nampa, and the Treasure Valley. Call (208) 919-8496 to schedule service.