[Pmv88]

While my septic effulent pump is running there is water ejecting from about a 1/4 inch hole approx 3 inches up the pvc 3 inch outflow pipe. Is this normal? Some kind of pressure relief hole? Or do I have a unwanted hole in my pump outflow pipe? Thanks much

[ballengerb1]

Any chance of a picture, this does not sound normal.

[massplumber2008]

Hi guys

Actually, it is perfectly normal to have that hole.

Here, most pump systems with a check valve require that 3/16" hole in the pipe... prevents airlock of the system. Airlock can happen when air gets trapped between a check valve and the pump and this can actually act like a blockage in the pipe while still allowing the pump to run. This can kill the pump over time... a bad thing, for sure!

This hole should be drilled in effluent and sump pumps if required by manufacturer instructions.

More questions just let me know, OK?

Mark

[Pmv88]

OK, thanks. I suppose if this hole gets somehow enlarged then too much water will be ejected back into the septic effluent tank and therefore the pump will have to run longer to get the water down to the low level mark.
I believe my tank is 750 gallons or so and noticed that the pump ran for 6 to 7 minutes to bring the water down to the low mark before the pump shut off. Is this much run time normal? The system is six years old and the pimp is appropriatly sized for the tank.
Bottom line is that it seems like the amount of water ejecting is a-lot..
It's pretty dark down there so no pics today. Thanks again for any help