[weldergirl]

I wrote a couple of weeks ago concerned with how my lousy plumber was going to reinstall the piping from the ejector pump to sewage line. He originally did not follow manufacturer's install instructions that said check valve couldn't be in vertical position. Half the time the toilet will not flush. We thought this was the cause (solids floating back down onto check valve flap). It is now in a horizontal position and toilet only flushing half the time. When it won't flush, I run bath water and pump will usually finally come on to flush toilet. Can anyone figure out what can possibly be the problem? This is a new house. Lousy plumber has been back 8 times at least. (valve installed upside down, forgot to crimp pipes, etc.) already had to replace part of ceiling and hardwood floor in dining room from leaking water. I think he might know what he did wrong but is not saying. Please help.

[speedball1]

I run bath water and pump will usually finally come on to flush toilet. Can anyone figure out what can possibly be the problem?

If you have to fill the holding tank before the pump kicks in then it sounds like the problem's in the float switch in the ejector pit not being adjusted correctly. What's the brand name and model of your system? Regards, Tom

[weldergirl]

If you have to fill the holding tank before the pump kicks in then it sounds like the problem's in the float switch in the ejector pit not being adjusted correctly. What's the brand name and model of your system? Regards, Tom

It is a Little Giant 9S-SMPX-LG. Also this was a cost plus house and he charged us 3 times the real price for this pump. Does that sound wrong or normal? ( he charged us $1500 for the product only). How is the float adjusted? At manufacturing or does plumber do it at install? What all is involved?

[doug238]

The float is part of the pump. It sometimes is installed too close to the wall of the sump basin and can not rise and actuate. With as much problem as you are having with this plumber, why are you still using him?

[weldergirl]

the float is part of the pump. it sometimes is installed too close to the wall of the sump basin and can not rise and actuate. with as much problem as you are having with this plumber, why are you still using him?

This is a new house and this is the builder's plumber so he has to fix for free. This plumber is paying another plumber to adjust the float (this new plumber says he is more familiar with these ejector pump). I called the Little Giant Pump technical department and they said that it may be the toilet inlet valve to the basin might not be at enough angle to bring the water to the basin. It should have been passed by inspection but they did miss a lot of other things. Tech Dept said that because running tub water flushes toilet, that it sounds like water is not reaching basin by flushing toilet alone, that tub water gives it enough pressure to reach basin. Does this sound like it may be the problem? Or is the float adjustment more likely. I don't trust this plumber either because he is a friend of the original. We are still dealing with these people in case it is a big problem to fix ( maybe busting up concrete floor to lower basin) the plumber can't blame another plumber that I might hire and they will be paying for it.

[doug238]

Let me explain why I told you to bring in another plumber. You have had multiple problems with the first plumber. He keeps 'fixing' at the problem but somehow can not totally repair this thing. What if he gets it to work for 6 months and it goes out again? He can then simply say the warranty is up and you are stuck. Get a new plumber in. check the fall going into the tank. Check to see if water is sitting in the pipe under the toilet. Have the new plumber totally check this whole situation out to either give you a clean bill or recourse to pursue the previous plumber. You have enough history to show a court the first plumber is incompetent. The court should make him pay for everything else.