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tdeegan · Jan 23, 2009, 03:29 AM

Hello. My ABS sewage pump is possibly blocked. I wonder is it OK for me to move it around to try clearing it? Regards and thanks.

massplumber2008 · Jan 23, 2009, 12:49 PM

Hi Tdeegan:

Have you checked power is getting to the electrical outlet serving the pump? How many cords coming out of the sump pit? If two, disconnect them from each other and then take and plug each plug in separately and see if that engages the pump. If so, then may be that the float/pill switch is defective...

If that doesn't work (or you only have one cord) you can try to jiggle the pump a bit and see if that dislodges anything, but most likely you will need to remove the pump and see what is happening... UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL like... *YUCK*...

To do this, you will need to diconnect the vent pipe and the discharge pipe. If you can disconnect the discharge pipe BELOW the check valve that will make this a little less messy... if not, plan on having a bucket handy to catch the dirty sewer water sitting above the check valve... ;)

Then loosen bolts and remove the lid, and then pull the pump up and out of the sewer water (wear gloves and goggles) and see what is going on.

Please be sure to disconnect any electrical connections before working on this pump in any way... ok?

Let me know what you think here...

MARK

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tdeegan · Feb 5, 2009, 03:41 AM

Thanks, Mark.
I removed the pump, freed it of a few bits of plastic or whatever, and then tried to replace it. That's when the fun started! I needed that bucket. I had to empty practically the whole tank before I could replace the pump correctly. Is there anything I should do by way of maintenance or servicing? I thought these things worked for about 10 years or so.
Regards,
Tom.

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Tdeegan:

Have you checked power is getting to the electrical outlet serving the pump? How many cords coming out of the sump pit? If two, disconnect them from each other and then take and plug each plug in separately and see if that engages the pump. If so, then may be that the float/pill switch is defective...

If that doesn't work (or you only have one cord) you can try to jiggle the pump a bit and see if that dislodges anything, but most likely you will need to remove the pump and see what is happening...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL like...*YUCK*...

To do this, you will need to diconnect the vent pipe and the discharge pipe. If you can disconnect the discharge pipe BELOW the check valve that will make this a little less messy...if not, plan on having a bucket handy to catch the dirty sewer water sitting above the check valve...;)

Then loosen bolts and remove the lid, and then pull the pump up and out of the sewer water (wear gloves and goggles) and see what is going on.

Please be sure to disconnect any electrical connections before working on this pump in any way...ok?

Let me know what you think here...

MARK

.

massplumber2008 · Feb 5, 2009, 05:26 PM

Hi Tom...

So you're up and running again... yes?

No maintenance needed.. how did the plastic stuff get in there? Could be it was there from original construction? Otherwise, just watch what you put in the system... such as, NO tampons or feminine napkins, no floss, no paper towels, etc...

Let me know if need more info...

MARK