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chaotik · Apr 25, 2010, 07:36 PM

Ok... first off... LOVE this site, many helpful people with great knowledge helping each other out.

OK... now onto my question. I am purchasing a home and on my home inspection, it was found to have a ejector pump that needs replacing (not coming on at all). Now, I know all about sump pumps... currently live on high watertable, so have to be vigilant about watching it and its backup. To my knowledge, and from what I have read on here, the ejector pump is only used if you have a basement bathroom, shower, laundry, etc. to get the water up to the main sewer line of the house and then gravity takes over. By the way, I am on city water and sewer. My wife was onsite during inspection (she does mortgages, so she knows the inspector) and he told her it would have to be replaced because when the a/c is on ( and the condensation drains) or anything is drained into the floor drain in the basement by the furnace, it goes into that well. And obviously would have to be pumped out. Just making sure this is correct. Basement is unfinished, will get finished, but not putting a bathroom down there and laundry is upstairs. I believe the guy and all... just checking the boxes on understanding that this is all an ejector pump does... get waste/ water from below the main drain (that works off gravity) and pumps it up to the main drain pipe and then normal gravity draining the rest of the house uses takes over.

THANKS!

ballengerb1 · Apr 25, 2010, 08:06 PM

Not sure what your question is but if the ejector is not working you simply tell the seller he must fix it as part of your bid offer. Without a ejector this house will lose its occupancy permit and be declared unfit for habitation. That should rattle the sellers cage.

KISS · Apr 25, 2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by OP

...then normal gravity draining the rest of the house uses takes over.

There is something wrong with the above picture.

An ejector pump is used whenever sewage has to go up. It can be one fixture or many fixtures. A single toilet could sit on an ejector pump base and so could a laundry tub.

Sewage systems rely on gravity.

hkstroud · Apr 25, 2010, 09:28 PM

I also find it a little strange that someone would put in an ejector pump if there is not at least a bath rough in. A condensation pump would take of the A/C condensation. A sump pump would take care of a floor drain. Are there any laundry facilities in the basement?

CHayn · Apr 26, 2010, 04:01 AM

It is a bit unclear to me also, but it sounds like you have a floor drain that goes into a sump basket and then that gets pumped into your sewer line and that pump is not working. If it is only a floor drain and you don't expect any solids to be in the line you can use a sump pump instead of a sewage ejector pump

chaotik · Apr 26, 2010, 07:46 AM

It is a foreclosure home so it is sold as is... which means I have to replace it... not a big deal as I am getting a killer deal.

No rough in in basement for laundry, toilet, etc. Laundry is upstairs.

As I said, the inspector said that it would have to be replaced because of a/c condensation, but that's why I am asking.. lol

There will be no solids because I am not putting a bathroom or laundry down in basement.

So, the ejector pump is like I thought, it only deals with pumping water or waste up from below the main sewer line (which works on gravity to remove it to the street). And the rest of the fixtures in the main levels of the house wouldn't use the pump at all, due to them being above the main sewer line and using gravity.

Guess I will try to do some investigation when I get into the home (about 2 weeks) and pour water down the floor drain and see if it empties into the sump pump basin or not. If it doesn't, that would have to mean it empties into the ejector pit basin and then I could use a sump pump instead.. because there will never be a bathroom or anything down there.

Please let me know if my thinking here is correct!

ballengerb1 · Apr 26, 2010, 07:55 AM

If all you will have is AC condensation then a simple condensate pump will do the trick. No need for even a pit, they have their own small holding tank. Flotec 2 Quart Tank, Condensate Removal Pump - FPCP-20ULST at The Home Depot

hkstroud · Apr 26, 2010, 08:06 AM

In the situation you describe it is extremely doubtful that the builder would have installed an ejector pump. If your A/C and heating system is in the basement most likely so is you water heater. The floor drain would service both the A/C condensation and a possible blow off the water heater T&P valve. A sump pump would easily handle these.