Septic & Sewage Pump Failure FAQs

Q&A on Sewage or Septic Pump Failures

Sewage / Septic Pump Failure FAQs

Tip: See DRAIN PIPING & SEWER ODORS 

Also see SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR

Sewage pump failures have cost us thousands of dollars in repairs

Question we live in county and sewer company made builder put in grinder pump. He put it in front yard. In five years since putting in hascost ten thousand dollars in repairs.

Builder went out of business. Now our sewer pump needs to be replaced. The ground around it is sinking in. Have you any suggestions? My sister has limited income since husband passed away. On 2018-07-13 by Anonymous

by (mod) - recommendation about choosing the right type of pump

Truly I can't make a specific referral, not only in order to avoid a conflict of interest but because we don't even know the country and city where you live.

In any case you want to work with local septic or excavator contractors who have experience with installing grinder pumps. Or you may find a plumber who can handle the excavation work.

I wouldn't start anything before getting an accurate diagnosis of what's happened to the present installation. It sounds as if the excavation and backfill may have been improper.

OPINION: I suspect that the original installation was improper; One of the most common sewage pump mistakes is installing the wrong type of pump - one that is not capable of handling solids in wastewater. If someone put in a simple ejector pump it will clog and fail frequently if it's being sent solid waste say from toilets. And if someone kept replacing the failed pump with the wrong thype, that couild explain the repeated failures. - Daniel Friedman

Will CLR toilet bowl stain remover harm a sewage effluent pump?

Is the use of CLR to clean a toilet bowl safe for a septic grinder pump? On 2018-06-19 by Greg

Reply by (mod) -

Greg,

Your question: effect of using CLR toilet bowl stain remover on a sewage effluent pump or a septic grinder pump is an excellent one.

Some authorities warn that acids or other chemicals might harm a septic system (I agree), and some chemicals may harm the seals in the grinder pump system.

However I pose that occasional use of a toilet stain remover (often including acids), used as directed, will be diluted enough to avoid such harm. You can reduce the risk of grinder or effluent pump damage further by additional dilution of the acid-based cleaner: try 2 or three additional flushes to dilute and then remove the acidic cleaner from the grinder pump reservoir.

Instructions from CLR for using this product to clean a severely-stained toilet bowl, the company suggests using 5-6 oz of CLR into a toilet bowl that has been emptied of water, then scrubbing the bowl with the solution.

At that level of usage and when further diluted by water as the toilet is flushed, even in the first flush the 6 oz. of solution (hazardous acidic) is diluted in 1-2 gallons of water or more (depending on toilet design and flush quantity).

In even a single gallon flush you are diluting the solution by 6:128 and subsequent flushes further dilute the solution.

In three flushes or 3 gallons total, you have diluted the original acidic CLR cleaner to 1% of its original strength. Even without knowing the actual level of acidity of the product as sold in the container, this is likely to be so dilute as to be harmless to the pump.

The product, used as directed, is in my opinion harmless to a septic grinder pump as well as harmless to a septic system.

For other readers, CLR is a calcium, lime, rust remover "from glassware, tile and coffee pots. It removes lime scale from shower heads, tubs, humidifiers, toilets and sinks. This CLR cleaner also removes rust stains from stucco, brick, porcelain and chrome." contains the following chemicals:

Water CAS 7732-18-5,

Lactic Acid CAS 79-33-4, classified by OSHA as hazardous

Gluconic Acid CAS 526-95-4, classified by OSHA as hazardous

Lauramine Oxide CAS 1643-20-5, classified by OSHA as hazardous

Tripropylene Glycol N-Butyl Ether CAS 55934-93-5,

Blue 1 CAS 3844-45-9,

Yellow 5 CAS 1934-21-0.

CLR is produced by Jelmar, 5550 W. Touhy Ave. Skokie, IL 60077 USA

See the MSDS for CLR at inspectapedia.com/hazmat/CLR-Calcium-Lime-Rust-Remover-MSDS.pdf

The MSDS for CLR includes this

Emergency Overview: WARNING: EYE IRRITATANT. GHS Toxicity Category 2A Causes eye irritation and possible SKIN IRRITATANT GHS Category 3 – on sensitive skin.

DO NOT get in eyes, on skin or clothing. DO NOT mix with bleach or other household chemicals as harmful fumes may result. DO NOT ingest. DO NOT breathe vapor or mist.

Use in well ventilated areas. Keep container closed when not in use

Please also see TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST

I will also include this discussion at another article you should review: SEWAGE PUMP DAMAGE & REPAIR

Our sewer pump runs backwards after a lightning strike!

Why is my sewer pump going backwards all of a sudden. was working fine. On 2017-02-12 by abe

by (mod) - A lightning strike or a failed start capacitor can cause a motor to run backwards

A lightning strike or a failed start capacitor can cause a motor to run backwards - see ACCIDENTAL REVERSAL OF ELECTRIC MOTOR RUN DIRECTION - causes

My septic tank pump won't turn on

When I push the test button on my septic tank pumping station the light does not come on nor does the quick alarm sound go off.

I am assuming this means that there is a problem with the pump not getting power. Any advice on how to go about testing to try to figure out what would cause this? On 2016-11-11 by Shelly Plemons

by (mod) - test button on pumping station

Start by confirming that the pump and controls have power.

That means that the circuit breaker or fuse for the pump circuit, in your electrical panel, is on and that your electrician has confirmed that there is live power at the pump control box.

Then let me know the brand and model of the equipment so that you (by finding your pump at SEWAGE PUMP BUYERS GUIDE & MANUALS) or I can find the septic pump control instruction manual, since switches and controls and features vary by manufacturere and model.

See SEPTIC PUMP ALARM SYSTEMS

Sewage / Sepic Pump Life FAQs

What's the typical sewage ejector pump life? We keep burning out our pumps

We have a basement bath (shower, toilet, sink) and an ejector pit to pump the waste into the sewer line. Both were installed approximately 7 years ago when we added on to our house. Unfortunately, we have burned out 3-4 pumps since completing our addition, usually right after an overnight guest has been using the bathroom.

Use at other times is infrequent and limited to the toilet and sink. Most guests stay for a week or less and with the exception of one guest, I know that nothing unusual is being put down the toilet but still the pump burns out.

The last time was just after Christmas and we ended up with a basement flooded with contaminated water!

We have now replaced the pump (again) so we are good until the next guest comes to stay but this is getting old.

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can we do to solve the problem?

One plumber told us that there isn't a long enough run between the shower/toilet and the ejector pit but I don't know why this should make a difference or what we could do to fix it.

The only other thing going into the ejector pit is waste from a sink in an adjacent sewing room but again, the flow is minimal. (Jan 5, 2015) Vicki

Reply:

Vicki

An ejector pump should last for some years.

1. are we sure you're buying and installing the right kind of pump: a sewage grinder pump not a sump pump?

2. is the pump running abnormally long when it cycles, suggesting a blockage or drain line problem

3. what is the lift requirement in height and how does that compare with the pump specs?

4. is there a check valve that's not working, causing the pump to cycle repeatedly when it should not have to do so?

5 Is the pump protected from clogs from stuff that shouldn't be flushed down drains such as dental floss, tampons, etc?

Watch out: if you are not choosing the proper type of pump then you may indeed have too-frequent pump faiilures. For example a simple wastewater ejector pump lacks the grinder feature that allows it to handle solids.

Septic / Sewage Pump Odors FAQs

Tip: See the diagnosis and remedy for septic or sewer pump odors at SEWAGE PUMP ODORS 

Also see

• ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER - guide to tracking down and curing building odors due to plumbing drain, waste, vent, fixture, or septic systems:
• PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS: problems with open sewer lines, plumbing vent systems, plumbing fixtures, plumbing drain traps, and septic systems can produce troublesome indoor or outdoor sewage smells that are sometimes dangerous or unhealthy.
• SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS 

How do we control smells or odors at a sewage sump pump?

What can be poured into the comode, to go through the ejector pump or grinder pump, to eliminate smell? This is in a basement and pumps up to the tank system. - Don Votaw

Reply:

Don, Cloroben and other manufacturers produce drain cleaning liquids that are enzymes that should not harm a septic system.

But I'd expect the smell to return as the system is used. Better to find the exact odor source and fix that - assuring good plumbing venting, no leaks at toilets or equipment, etc.

 

Might our basement ejector pump cause smells from this floor drain? What's the fix?

I have a floor drain in the back room that leads into the basement.

The basement has an ejector pump that seems to be functioning properly. If the odor is coming from the floor drain what is the best way to remedy this?

The drain goes down into an area that is blocked in adjacent to the basement so there is no access except if i ripped out the drain. On 2022-12-06 00:28:08.813102 by Ron

by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - mineral oil in the floor drain trap, or buy a special floor drain that includes a check valve

@Ron,

Since I see stairs to the left of the floor drain I understand that this drain is inb an upper floor above your basement.

So yes it's certainly plausible that smells from the basement sump pit or under-floor drains down there might come upstairs and out at the drain in our photo - where I added a red arrow.

If this floor drain includes a trap you can put some simple mineral oil in the Trap to prevent odors from coming up through the drain line.

If there is no trap, you may need to have one installed.

There are special floor drain traps that are designed to prevent sewer gases from coming back out of the trap provided it normally remains un-used for long periods. Unlike water, the mineral oil forms a trap seal that won't evaporate.

An alternative is to install a floor drain that includes a simple check valve.

See complete details at FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS 

by Ron - what about sealing the floor drain with concrete?

@InspectApedia (Editor), this drain is not in use. Could I just fill it up and seal the hole with concrete?

by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - bad idea

If a drain is not in use but might be needed in the future it may be better to cover it with a simple plastic cap, or if it has a trap, just pour in mineral oil.

Probably it's better to simply cover the drain with a plastic cap or pour mineral water into the trap if it has one. I don't assume, over the life of a building, that a particular floor drain will never again be needed.

Odor complaints from Liberty Lo-Pro pump in our basement; smells when pump runs.

Above: the LIberty Lo-Pro sewage pump described by the manufacturer as

For addition of a toilet without breaking concrete floors. Mounts freestanding or can be built-in using 2" x 6" joists for a more professional looking installation. Additional fixtures such as a shower or sink can be easily added using the optional inlet seal (provided).

We have a Liberty lo pro pump in our basement. Recently taken of wet vent and and placed on its own dedicated vent.

Smell occurs when pump activates. It’s sealed. Could the pump suck fumes from rest of house, bad check valve? - On 2022-06-28 by David O

by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@David,

First I'd check with the company, as they describe an "optional inlet seal (provided)" that, if omitted or mis-installed, could explain your odor complaint.

Otherwise, indeed have a bad or leaky check valve but the symptom would be waste flowing back into the pumping chamber.

If there's an older, more likely there's a leak somewhere in the pumping chamber or piping, or perhaps from a prior spill that wasn't adequately cleaned up.

Do you have a previous sewage back up and has there been sewage on the floor?

Contact

• Liberty Pumps [Website]
• Phone: 1-800-543-2550
• Fax: 1-585-494-1839
• Liberty@libertypumps.com
• Liberty Lo-Pro Sewage Pump IO MANUAL [PDF]
  Excerpt
  Low Profile Sewage System 2" Solids handling Liberty Pumps LowPro41LP offers an easier solution for adding a basement bathroom. Unlike traditional sewage pump basins, the LowPro is designed to sit directly on the floor eliminating the costly task of breaking-up concrete.
  
  Its low profile tank can be framed around with standard 2" X 6" floor joists, totally concealing the unit for a complete finished appearance.
  
  This unit from Liberty Pumps can also save hours of installation time because it arrives fully assembled from the factory with a 2" solids handling sewage pump. Additional features include a powerful internal spray that helps break down solids and a split cover for easy access to the tank and switch without disturbing the discharge or vent pipe.

Our septic pump smells after we use the shower.

I get a strong smell from my pump only after using the shower. Flushing the toilet and using the sink does not create an odour. It’s vented properly and everything seems sealed, so I do t know what the problem is. On 2021-11-10 by Dan N.

by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod) - odors from septic pump related to wastewater voume & partial blockage?

@Dan N.,

Do you think the problem could be related to the volume of wastewater or its temperature?

For example a remote drain blockage that might affect drainage rate and odor backups may be obvious only when a larger volume of wastewater enters the system in a short time.