[wwwaskm]

Greetings,

I installed a sewage ejector pump to code and not exceeding the 12 foot head on this model.
However when it ejects water it almost seems that 1/2 of what it shoots up comes back down into the pit. To you professionals, how can I remedy this. Ideally, almost all fluids pumped should be pumped up to the vertically dropping main line, should stay up there

. Setup: ejector is vented correctly with no obstructions. It's 8 feet from the pump to the 90 degree long turn, and at this point gravity takes over. Another 3 feet down the vertically dropping (correctly 1/4 inch per foot, 3 inch) line I have a check valve. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Milo Dolezal]

Seems to me that you forgot to install check valve. What happens, when the pump stops pumping sewage the sewage returns to the pit. Solution: Install vertical Zoeller check valve at the discharge from the pump.

First, install 2" x 6" galvanized nipple . Screw it into pump discharge threaded hole. Drill 3/8" hole in side of the galvanized coupling. Then install 2" check valve on top of it. Pay attention: install valve with arrow up. Connect your discharge pipe to the top of your check valve. That should solve your problem...

Please, check the check valve is working well. There may be obstruction on the flopper preventing valve to close

[truck 41]

Hello, you write that you have a checkvalve about three feet down the vertical, you should install the checkvalve just above the top of the ejector basin. If the check valve is to high, you'll get the stackfull of sewage draining back into the sump basin. Good luck ---Zeke---

[wwwaskm]

MILO and Truck,

Thank you both, your both right in some ways. Milo I do have a check valve, it is 3 feet down the horizontal (oops not vertical, so basically 12 feet away from top of Barrel) So, to answer Truck first. The reason that I installed the check valve in this location is that I didn't want all the waste sitting on top of the check valve after it pumps. For example if you have a 10 foot vertical run, and the check is at the bottom, then you basically have 10 feet of volume sewage waiting on top of the check when the pump kicks back on, I figured this was counter productive, but obviously now I have sewage draining back in. Is the way you both recommend putting the check on top of the barrel, the professional way to do it?

Milo, why do you drill a 3/8 inch hole in the galvanized nipple? Isn't sewage going to shoot out the hole when the pump turns on. I did however drill a whole in the barrel output pipe to help air equalize inside and reduce hammering.

Also, I bought a supposedly silent double gate check valve, that after the pump stops pumping it makes a thump, I also tried the home depo brand to no avail. Is this normal? And will putting the check on top of the barrel stop this thud sound.

Thanks again guys.

[Milo Dolezal]

There is your problem: water column always sits on top of the check valve. It is perfectly OK. Read manufacturers instruction for installation of sewer ejectors.

Yes, the water will shoot out of that hole. That 3/8" hole is recommended by pump manufacturers so pump is not under pressure. That short section of pipe has to be empty when new cycle begins.

You are not mentioning pipe sizing. But in any case: Vertical section of pipe should be the same size as size of your pump discharge. Usually it is 2" for sewer ejector pumps. Once you clear your highest point, swing it towards your horizontal sewer pipe. Now you can continue with 3" or 4" pipe.

[wwwaskm]

Milo,

Now we're getting somewhere. I can understand what you say, about the water sitting on top of the column, I didn't know that was normal. So when you say a 2" x 6" nipple threaded into the basin with a 3/8 inch hole(EXTRENAL right? BTW it is a 3" discharge, all they way to the 4" main. You mean that the sewage will shoot out onto the ground through this hole, until it equalizes?

Thanks Milo

[Milo Dolezal]

The hole in the short nipple is below the check valve. It holds about 2 cups of water. Once the pumps stops pumping it will gravity drain to your pit.

What's the size of your pump? What's the size of your vertical discharge pipe ? BTW: what kind of sewer ejector system do you have ?


This is a typical check valve:

[wwwaskm]

Milo,

I chose the Liberty Pump 370 Series Model P372LE41, and it's 2" i was wrong. I called Liberty and they said there is already a weep hole in the pump itself to stop air lock. I think my answer is to move the check valve down to the basin top. I still don't understand how the 3/8 inch hole that is OUTSIDE on the nipple, drips back down to the INSIDE of the basin? I'll look at your check valve pictures. Maybe my Silent check valve is just cheap. I also saw people using Pasco's Silent check valve in the picture. I guess that's my next step if the "SEWAGE PUMP CHUNK" doesn't go away.

Thank you

[Milo Dolezal]

Great. If you have the anti-air-lock hole built into your pump - than you don't have to drill any additional holes into the nipple.

Solution to your problem is to move the check valve as close to the pump as possible. While you have that check valve removed, see if it functions / seals properly.