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    Louis King's Avatar
    Louis King Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 3, 2012, 01:05 PM
    My basement toilet isn't draining out
    The sewage pump well area is wet .I hear a low humming noise from the pipe connected to the pump
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 3, 2012, 04:43 PM
    Hi Louis

    It sounds like something is caught up in the pump.

    The first thing to do will be to shut the circuit to the pump off... should be marked at the electrical panel.

    Next, let the pump sit for a few minutes... and then turn the power back on. If the pump takes off you are lucky!

    If the pump fails to take off (pump) then I would have you disconnect the pump at the outlet the pump plugs into. If you have two plugs (one for pump, one for float) then unplug and replug each individually as one or the other could be the issue and this could help you isolate the issue. It could also allow you to work the pump manually if the issue is the float mechanism.

    If none of that works out then the next step would be to remove the lid and check the float and possibly remove the pump and check for blockages... *UGH*! This can be messy and smelly, so this is only the last resort... power must be OFF in this case!

    Other issues, but a little more far-fetched, would be a clogged drain pipe or clogged/stuck backflow preventer....keep that in mind, too!

    Check the basics first and then pop back to discuss, OK?

    Mark
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