We have a sewage smell in our basement that we finished and added a bathroom. It has an ejector pump and we have sealed off the crock top with caulk and wax. The smell is not all the time and is very inconsistent. We have city sewage. We have tried everything with not luck. The only thing that we can find a pattern from time to time is when it rains quite a bit, but even that is not always the case.

We also have our gas heater down stairs that sometimes smells also because the exhaust venting is almost level with the ground and should be at a 45 degree angle, however that smell is different from sewage and is not in the same area as the ejector pump.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to handle this? Thanks,


Aaron

OK! In have a idea of what it might be. The ejector system needs two vents. One from the fixtures discharging into the pity and another DEDICATED and SEPARATE vent for the pit itself. Sometimes the plumber will tie the two together or connect the pit vent back into the house vent system. Since the pit vent not only pulls air ion for a vbent it also expels sewer gas gas under pressure as a relief. If the plumber vconnected the two it could cause sewer gas to enter a trap under pressure and leak out sewer gas. Because the air's heavier when it rains bad smells tend to come closer to the ground where you can smell them better. Check the ejector vents and let me know. Regards, Tom

OK! In have a idea of what it might be. The ejector system needs two vents. One from the fixtures discharging into the pity and another DEDICATED and SEPARATE vent for the pit itself. Sometimes the plumber will tie the two together or connect the pit vent back into the house vent system. Since the pit vent not only pulls air ion for a vbent it also expels sewer gas gas under pressure as a relief. If the plumber vconnected the two it could cause sewer gas to enter a trap under pressure and leak out sewer gas. Because the air's heavier when it rains bad smells tend to come closer to the ground where you can smell them better. Check the ejector vents and let me know. Regards, Tom

Tom,

Thanks for your help. It looks like it is they way you are talking about. Everything in the bathroom ties into the same vent as the pit and this is the only vent. So what do you think now? Thanks,


Aaron

Everything in the bathroom ties into the same vent as the pit and this is the only vent. So what do you think now?
I think your plumber should have read and followed the directions that came with the ejector system. Call him back and show him this post. The pit vent MUST be separate to have a system that operates correctly. Regards, Tom

It is very clear on what to do. Thanks.

Tom,

Thanks so much for your help. Have a great day.

Smelly Ejector pump could be for other reasons. If there is a boiler or furnace in the basement, it could be creating a negative air pressure thereby "sucking" air out of the ejector pump (with smells included). Check for this being a problem. If the seals are bad on the pump, by sure to pour a little clorox into a drain that feeds this pump and let the pump empty out a few times before opening. Another problem could be that a trap under a sink (especially a rarely used sink) has dried out and the smell is coming in that way. Keep all traps "watered" Hope this helps. Emjay