Sewage Ejection Pump - Don't Do It - Here's Why
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2022
- www.AsktheBuilder.com founder, Tim Carter, shows why you should never ever have a sewage ejection pump. Tim does phone coaching/consults: shop.askthebuilder.com/consul...
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This is great information. I am fairly certain we don't have one in our house as our septic field is lower than the house and i don't see a pit. However, some of our neighbors have septic fields above their houses... this makes me go hmmm.
I have a leach field above my tank. I have a wretched 250-gallon separate tank the effluent flows to by gravity. There is a pump inside this tank that pumps up to the leach field. I've had to replace the pump once. Even this is a wretched task and a nightmare should it happen in the dead of winter. I NEVER intended to be in this house as long as I have been. I would NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN live in a house that has ANY PUMP to any part of the sewage system. God gave us *gravity* for a reason and some dopey people ignore it.
Great video and your advice on not having one makes sense. Unfortunately I bought a house with a sewage ejector pit and for the third time over the span of ten years the discharge pipe has plugged up on the riser at the 90. It has been messy but this time we caught it before it spilled out from the floor drain. There are no tampons or sanitary wipes. Just the brown stuff plugging it up! I replaced the short sweep 90 from the vertical discharge to the horizontal with two 45’s thinking the longer travel would help but seems it hasn’t. My question is why is this a recurring issue? Are there any fixes? Would it help if I increased the discharge pipe to 3? If it’s going to continue, what are your thoughts on adding a clean out for easy access for rodding, on the horizontal after the riser (with the plug facing up of course)?
It is messy. I agree it would be better if we didn’t have one but we do and I’ll appreciate any advice. Thanks!
I've been a master plumber for four decades. I solve issues like yours each day over the phone. I'm sure you understand why it needs to be this way. Here's how you set up a call: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
Im building a house on a lot with no city sewer, so will be on a septic. I learned after I bought and had the foundation poured that the lot that my lot is too flat to have a gravity feed to the septic. I panicked, of course. The septic guy told me not to panic because he could put the sewage out and pump on the outside of my house. I talked with my plumber and described what the septic guy had proposed. He told me not to panic, that the pump would have to be replaced every 6-10 years and can be changed from outside. I know how to change a pump, so while not my ideal situation, I think I’ve at least optimized my misfortune.
Your takeaway from this should have been: "Next time before I do ANY PROJECT, I'm going to talk to Tim on the phone." I would have made sure you did one of two things: 1. Not buy that lot 2. See if you could raise the house up X feet and add fill so you would have gravity fall to the septic tank/leach field. The fill would have gently sloped away from the house. Here's how to get me on the phone: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
In a ideal world it would be nice not to have to use an ejector pump. However most bathroom basements you gotta do it. They aren’t as bad as your making them out to be. I’ve installed ejector pumps that have been working for the past 20 years without a hiccup. I have that exact liberty 380 series pump in my basement picking up one full bath. The sump cover gasket is pretty nice on that unit. Also PS I wouldn’t be leaving that vent pipe and discharge outlet open like that. Especially with all those rocks around.
Bottom Line: All pumps have moving parts. They WILL fail. It's a nightmare installing a new sewage ejection pump. There's no substitute for gravity. Houses can be built such that you don't need these pesky pumps. If the lot is that bad, go find a better one.
There are situations where there is already a septic system in place. Sometimes there is just a lower level utility sink feeding to the ejector. That isn't so bad and it will only be used occasionally.
In our home, we are considering adding a lower level bathroom. That toilet would rarely be used, but if a bedroom and bathroom are on that level, the added property value far outweighs the cost of an occasional repair.
Sure, it is best not to have a system that requires an ejector pump. Are there scenarios where the benefits outweigh the risks? Yes.
I love this series. Tim, do you have any videos about how and why water would enter my basement under the sill plate when it rains? I checked my front stoop pad and it seems to be pitched correctly and I am stumped as to why this happens. The previous homeowners had a new front door installed about 8 years ago and water seems to enter around the area in our basement under the front door area. So, I am not sure if is the door, frame, siding issue, etc. Water does not enter our house foyer area, rather it drips a couple of places above the rim joist through the subfloor and as I mentioned before it is under the sill plate and then it drips down the wall. Our basement is poured concrete, unfinished , but we'd like to finish it eventually. Confused from PA.
Matt, I don't think I have that video. I'm happy to do a phone consult call with you to figure it out and STOP the water. I'm an expert in this area. shop.askthebuilder.com/consult-tim/
water is hitting the door and leaking through it. Is it a double door or just a single door? The door is defective
Thank you!
Ive had 2 homes with this setup…. Never had a problem….
You might want to go out and buy a lottery ticket in case your luck still holds. All things with moving parts eventually fail/break. Someone will own that house when the ejector pump fails. Someone will get paid handsomely to scoop out about 25 gallons of Dookie Stew and then disconnect and lift out the pump coated in Dookie gravy. The above scenario is GUARANTEED. But as Kenny Chesney said in his hit song, "Only time will tell, but it ain't talkin'."
The sewage ejection pump is new information to me. I am fairly certain our house does not have one as we have a septic field lower than the house. Thank you for all the good information you provide!
Thanks for the great donation to the channel, Lorene!!! Believe me, you'd know it if you had a sewage ejection pump/sump inside your home!!!
Your video confirms the mistake of my allowing an uphill Grinder pump to be installed in my split basement house in WA state. Wish I had seen this before I made that mistake!
UGH! Next time before you do anything, reach out to me to prevent a mistake. TNX as we say in Morse. You can help support the channel so I make more videos faster by clicking the THANKS text link under the video and flip something into the guitar case.
I just installed one of these to resolve a slope issue for my basement washer drain and floor drain. Do you think that is a good use for one of these?
It's about the ONLY use I'd have for one. Gray water is not too bad to deal with when you service or replace a pump. I'd never BUY A LOT that required one in the first place.
If house already has existing older sewer ejector pump, is there anything better to replace it with when it goes out?
No. It's not a good idea to VIOLATE the LAWS of Nature. This is the penalty you face when you do.
Unfortunately, I bought a house with a basement bathroom and it has an ejector pump. This was added on by the previous owner. How hard would it be to go back to the original plumbing setup?
Do you recall any of the discussion in high school physics class about gravity? I'm happy to discuss your options during a phone call: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
Q: we bought my husband's grandparents rural property 16+ yrs ago, it's on septic. We've had tanks emptied abt a yr ago, but still getting some gray water in basement which we kick in a pump we have for a backup to push out in the line. This house was put here in the 60s so we have no control over how it's below grade. Plumbers came said needed a ejection pit and have someone coming to talk to us about it. I think roots may also be to blame will this even help or is there a pump in the tank?
You NEED TO TALK to me about it before you get SCREWED. I don't have a dog in the fight. I'm a MASTER PLUMBER - Go here to set up the call: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
Most people don't necessarily have access to a brand new lot to build on. Dare I say, most people are unwilling to sell their house or demolish and rebuild so that they can have a bathroom in the basement. A grinder pump is literally all you can use in this situation.
It sucks that the motor will only last 5-10 years, but guess what? Pretty much everything in your house over the course of time will need to replaced from fixtures, to appliances, to the entire roof.
Is gravity preferable? In an ideal world, yes. And in an ideal world we would have no wars, taxes, or unskippable ads.
It's wise to obey the laws of nature. Gravity is one. In an ideal world, folks like you would reciprocate with money each time you watched one of my videos or read one of my columns. You pay for bread, gasoline, clothes, etc. and think nothing of it. But give content creators 50 cents or a buck for each helpful tip you receive? Hah! Less than 0.05% of folks like you are supporting channels like this by donating using the *Thanks* text link under each video. That's why you have to endure unskippable ads.
@@askthebuilder I use adblock
I have one pre installed in my unfinished basement. Upstairs is all gravity fed to my septic, but if I add onto my basement I will either need to opt out of a third bathroom or use the pre plumbed system. I will approach my addition with caution, but isn’t your logic a little skewed. There are a lot of plumbing issues that can arise from gravity system’s too. Might as well tell home owners to not buy a home with trees or plants in their yards or a home on any grounds that might shift. All of which can cause a headache for homeowners.
No skewed logic at all. I've been a master plumber for over four decades. I just wrote a column about human-induced clog causes and the rare instances when someone who doesn't understand *HOW* to design and install pipes can cause clogs. Go here: www.askthebuilder.com/how-to-unclog-drains-in-minutes/
So if you were looking at buying a property that already had this still of septic? would you avoid it?
I think I was pretty clear in the video. I would NEVER buy a house with a interior sewage ejector system.
After an interior pump failed due to the plumber using ABS instead of PVC, I always try to put them outside whenever possible.
I installed a double pump with alarms and battery back up 10' down in Alameda. More costly but won't flood the place.
Exterior location is a great idea like where you live and it doesn't freeze in the winter. An outdoor sewage ejection pit like this in New Hampshire would be a block of ice by January 1st.
@@askthebuilder WOW! even that deep.
@@motomikebuilder Motomike, I would like you to do one of these for me; Im also in the East Bay (or at least talk to you about it. How can I reach you?)
i am looking at adding one OUTSIDE my cabin and pumping over 140 feet of very little uphill to connect with main house plumbing. Would this be a good unit for that. i live on the west coast in bc, lots of rain, doesnt freeze much. Is it 2 inch discharge after the pump fine without a macerator?
Nothing like a poop sickle pit
Do the inspectors require you install a back water valve on below grade fixture drains where the home connects to a city sewer?
Which inspectors? Which towns/cities? Pretty open-ended question. And for what it's worth, these valves often NEVER shut completely when needed because crap or ??? gets stuck on the flapper or the seat. Don't buy a lot where water can back up that high in basements.
That is very true. Those flapper valves will always fail when you need them the most.
We have a lot bought years ago (yes, sorta’ impulse buy - great location, wouldn’t last long on market, etc.). The lot is pretty dead flat with the street and the future home would set back a considerable distance from the sewer tie in. Assuming slab on grade construction could a contractor/plumber determine/guesstimate whether there would be sufficient fall for said future home? …
Are you asking me to calculate this for you? I'm happy to do it. Go here and select TWO as the quantity: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
I Totally Agree with you my friend 👍👏
TNX. I don't expect all to agree. But I do expect those who don't agree with me to engage their God-given critical-thinking skills and recall what they discovered about gravity in high school physics class. Why would you ever want to fight Mother Nature? She *ALWAYS* bats last.
So so true. Two pumps in 9 years... Older home bought with the system. Pumps in to city sewer system. If i ever build a house i will NEVER consider this as an option. Sound advice.
There are millions of people who have suffered like you! Including ME! Fortunately my holding tank and pump are outdoors so when it fails, there's no sewage water INSIDE the house that has to be dealt with.
lol, its true that most people do not pay attention to details when buying land. when i was looking for land, i told my realtor not to bother showing me land that did not have private south side, as in, the street would be on the north side because you should maximize windows on the south side of your house for more energy efficiency and you want privacy at the same time. i also wanted higher land for drainage and gravity sewer reasons. she was confused and told me no one has ever asked for this before. when i walk the land, i have the entire property designed and pictured in my head. that was the case when i purchased my property in the 80's 🙂
I think most don't pay attention because they were never taught about such things in school. Both grade school and high school teachers have numerous opportunities to give real-life examples of water flow, gravity, and drainage. Even in history classes - castle builders built on high ground for a host of reasons, not the least of which was staying dry and allowing the castle sewage to flow towards all the serfs who lived down below.
@@askthebuilder lol, well, at least we have improved, a little 🙂
Good video, thank you. I've lived in a great house on a great lot for a long time. Unfortunately, the bottom of the basement is below grade- the sewer line leaves the basement at about eye level (5'). Most basements here in NC are used for storage and utility. I had mine finished by the builder before moving in 30 years ago- half is a home office and electronics lab that is fully finished and the other half is drywalled but otherwise basic. I have a big shop in the semi finished area and installed a little kitchenette area with a microwave, coffeemaker and small sink with hot and cold supply lines and a direct under sink drain pump. The manufacturer is Star, its a 1/3 HP impeller type with a drain fitting input and a 1-1/4 MPT output. Its operated by 3" diaphragm switch- it switches on when there is any water down the drain and switches off when dry. There there is no sump. Its a pretty fast pump so the standard install is to put a ball valve downstream with a check valve so the pump doesn't cycle. This has worked pretty well for over 20 years, has never flooded (its has redundant check valves). I've never had to replace the pump but have a spare on hand. The sink is just used for basic uses, washing hands, washing coffee cups, etc. Very little goes down but gray water and probably a bit of coffee grounds. I have rubber union type couplings on it and I inspect it if starts smelling. There can be a buildup of black buildup that I clear out. Is this a reasonable solution or is it an accident waiting to happen, its bee pretty trouble free for a long time. I would love to have a toilet and shower down here but have resisted the urge. Any opinions on this lashup appreciated. I'll find a way to send you a beer...
I've been a master plumber for over four decades. I'm happy to advise you on this. It requires a phone call. There's simply far too much to type: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
Thanks for your time and good luck.@@askthebuilder
Thanks!
Many many thanks for supporting my channel!
In the city of chicago this is a key component to an overhead sewer system. Or you can keep everything gravity fed and deal with your neighbors sewage flooding your basement on average twice a year. Its not ideal for the reasons you point out however it is better than a foot of water in your basement. Just my 2 cents
Or you can install a backflow preventer to stop your neighbor's dookie stew from coming into your home.
I can't imagine a master plumber saying "never install a sewage ejector." I respect your OPINION.. but, I also know that, unless the ONLY thing plumbed into that crock is a toilet.. 90% of that waste water, is only waste WATER. Shower, sink, laundry.. all dilute and rinse out the toilet "water". There is absolutely a level of maintenence and observation that should be maintained (like any other homeowner responsibility), but a sewage ejector, done correctly by a qualified plumber, is a safe and effective way of adding lower level facilities to most rural homes.
Just my OPINION.. (well, me and the 13 journeyman and master plumbers that work with me.)
Well, now you can imagine it. I believe you missed my point entirely. If you want trouble-free plumbing for LIFE, AVOID lots that require you to install a sewage ejection pump. That was the message.
Any thoughts on those sanipumps toilets with built in pumps ?
Yes. When the pump fails, imagine what you need to deal with... There's no substitute for gravity.
Basements don’t get used that often. Unless your going down there every day to take 3 shits, it’s probably not going to get anywhere near the amount of use of the main level plumbing. We had one which I installed on our previous home. For basements I don’t see any other option, so it really doesn’t solve any problem here to say don’t get one.
Devin, you need to be careful about making blanket statements as you did about frequency of use. The master bedroom is 20 feet away from this ejection pump. It's going to be used quite a bit each day. And you do have an option: Don't BUY or BUILD on a lot that doesn't have GRAVITY drainage to a septic tank or city sewer. Period.
So, just to make sure I understand this correctly, the solution for not using a sewage ejection system is… buy a different lot and don’t have a basement toilet??
We have a winner! Give this man a cupie doll!
I bought a ‘split level’ home which is built into a hill. I am planning to have my sewage ejector pump (and the whole downstairs bathroom) removed.
It seems like a filthy idea, and even if I were to convert it into a laundry room, even that seems to have a possibility of flooding.
I think this user gave excellent advice when he said it is not wise to have a layout which can not employ gravity, but instead has to rely on these work arounds.
you just talked me out of doing it 🥹
Septic tank and drain field too close to the development final water easement which takes all the rain & snow drainage. Drain field moved to the higher side of the lot. A sewage lift was added just after the septic tank to pump uphill across the lot. However, the sewage lift still was not higher than the water easement. Yes, overwhelmed the lift with the ejector pump - guess what backed up into the basement a couple of inches. Ended up raising the lift higher so lift is protected. There is time for service if the pump goes for change out. Make sure to have a backup pump on hand and also an alarm (audio and visual) for pump or electrical failure. Now this is outside the house. No way should anyone buy a house with a sewage lift inside the foundation. However, as in our case, sometimes you don't have better options. Oh, not fun to work on in the best of situations with lots of wind and a fan to blow that stench away. Sewage lifts are also a part of public sewer systems and not unavoidable. Entire communities or business districts can be serviced by them.
Yes. Entire communities and business districts ARE FLOODED with sewage when lift station pumps FAIL. Those who choose to VIOLATE Mother Nature's LAW of gravity often pay a high price. This is why it's so important to use the critical-thinking skills God gave each one of us and to pay attention in high school physics class.
I am seeking to purchase a home in Oregon, and it has one of these units. (I am am new to houses, and have only resides in apartments.)
I did not know what such a thing is, until we did an inspection of the home and there was a sew smell I believe caused by the inspector running the water in the bathrooms.
Honestly, I think you are giving excellent advise with this. From what I am understanding, this is a system, that if it fails, could have catastrophic consequences. I am generally a very low risk and play-it-safe person, and the whole idea of the potential disaster This think can cause is very unsettling.
I am fortunate in that the home will be only resident by me, and I can choose to a avoid that downstairs bathroom for anything except showering and washing hands. I can even remove the whole bathroom at some point in the future.
Honestly it is unsettling to me that things things even exist, and I agree with you 100% that this is not an ideal design.
Mother Nature always bats last... Go against her at your own peril. NEVER buy a lot where gravity works against you.
@@askthebuilderHello there, I think you gave me excellent advice.
I ended up buying the home, which I have since learned is what is called a ‘split level’ home. The home is on a hill, but embedded within the hill, rather than being built on top of it.
Basically, the whole home full of odd quirks due to its position embedded in the hill. At the time I did not at all understand this is not a conventional home,
There seem to be many things that if I want to ‘correct’ there is some device manufactured for the scenario, but I have begun to view all of these as band aids on what is fundamentally a bad design. This conclusion reminded me of your post.
Regarding the downstairs bathroom, I do not use it and am still disgusted by the idea of that pump. I know it is bad for the value, but within one year (after first focusing on the mortgage), I plan to have that pump removed. I roll convert that bathroom into something else, but I am not willing to have that pump there behind the walls.
On the one hand, the idea of this pump seems revolting, and on the other hand, from a ‘what can go wrong’ consideration, there is the possibility of some catastrophe by retaining any sort of plumbing on the lower level.
I am not a home engineer, but I really do not like the idea of relying on fixes, where the proper solution is to just not put a water system below the level where it only requires gravity to reach the city sewage.
I am disappointed in all of this. On the one hand if I remove all this bathroom and pump from the lower level, there is now a bedroom and family room there without a family, and also what to do with the space now occupied by the bathroom.
Well, I really don’t care, I have no interest in storing a bucket of feces behind the wall, and risking if something goes wrong it comes up on the downstairs shower, etc.
I think you gave excellent advice regarding this issue.
Really wish i discovered this before buying my current home...... this thing has caused SO MUCH headache that I want to sell this house right now. Kitchen grease built-up cause trigger float to malfunction... we have to do enzyme treatment regularly (hoping to reduce some grease) and plan to do complete clean pump-out once/twice a year. Pump got air-locked and not pumping water... the vent hole needs regular clean-up... the problem is endless and has caused us thousands of dollars so far. IN FACT, the shit is broken again right now that is how i landed on this video in the first place!! And in order to avoid calling expensive ($250+) pump out service, we had to buy a transfer pump to transfer dirty water to our recycle bin so that I can access the pump to diagnose what's wrong....... (we got charged $800 before just to take out the pump, and the guy just dump the shit water on the street.......)
Thanks SO MUCH for your generous support. Keep this in mind. You can TALK to me on the phone BEFORE you make a decision that goes sideways. Look: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
100% Also another point to remember is that these pumps grind the solids up. If you have a septic system with one of these your going to get solids that don't get a chance to settle in the septic tank and they will end up plugging the drain field. Just a bad idea in general for so many reasons. My home sits on a lot that's on the tip of the hill side. The backyard is lower so the main line under the basement slab is gravity fed to the septic tank. Because the septic system is so deep and we have a high water table and restrictive soil in the backyard we have a mound type drain field. Instead there is a pump chamber after the septic tank outside in the ground that pumps effluent water to the sand mound. Somewhat of a more complicated system but much better then a cesspool in the basement.
I have the exact same septic system at my house. I was only supposed to live here for 2 years. I'm now going on fifteen. It's a long story. Suffice it to say I'll NEVER live in a different house that requires any pump that's part of the septic or sewage system. It's gravity or nothing.
Yes finding the right lot is key. You can avoid so many issues and hassles. Unfortunately many developers or builders are just looking for a quick profit and the homeowners get stuck with the issues later down the road. Before they put in the sand mound system they put in a conventional system originally. Needless to say the previous homeowners always had constant issues with a saturated drain field.@@askthebuilder
What he says is true. Went to service call today and they thought the line was clogged but their pump was broken because the tenant was flushing tampons, admitted to it. The pit was chalk full of dookie, feminine products and pee water.
Tell everyone what it smelled like. Tell them what you had to do to clean out the sump.
You don't offer alternatives. It's easy to offer advise, but it doesn't address the problem
Lol.. he does offer a solution.. not building on lots that would require it or not buying a home that has/needs it.
In our town we have some flooding issues when major rainfall comes. Everyone who has a gravity sewer in their basement bathrooms ends up flooding. The only way around this is an ejector pump.
No, you're wrong. One way around it is to NOT BUILD HOUSES in old stream beds that flood in normal heavy rain. Your zoning officials should not permit building in floodplains.
@@askthebuilderthese houses are 70 years old so… how do I “unbuild” a house that was built long before I was born?
Easy. Your town takes all those houses by eminent domain acknowledging the mistake made by those in power 75 years ago who allowed the houses to be built. They knew those houses were being built in a natural stream bed. The houses get torn down and a town park is put in place of the houses.
Nothing about this concept is new. Smart people don't build on land that floods. Foolish people do. Are you smart or a fool?
Long story but here's the short version:
My wife and I will be moving into my in-law's home to take care of them and the house as they are aging. The house is on a lake and was built 16 years ago. The house is two stories with a full basement. The basement is below grade. When the house was built, there was a septic system. Since that time, my inlaws got connected to city sewage. The home sits at the bottom of the hill, so all of the sewage from the house either drains into the holding tank outside for the main two floors or is pumped up from the basement into the tank. The outside tank (maintained by the county) has a pump installed that pushes the sewage uphill and into the county's system.
This past weekend while I was visiting, we did have a minor backup in the basement. It is the first time since the house was built. I am not a master plumber but noticed that the float was installed right in front of where the pipe comes from the basement toilet/sink/shower. Toilet paper weighted down the float and caused the problem.
The house is built and is not going anywhere. While the pump seems to be operating fine, I believe I'm going to replace it and also make sure the float is as far from the effluent pipe as possible. As you noted, the pump will ultimately fail, and I think 16 years is a good run. In my own home (built more than 30 years ago) I've had for 20+ years, I've replaced the sump pump twice.
Any recommendations on replacement pumps? A good friend has been a union plumber for 20+ years. He's recommending a Zoeller ejector pump. The current pump is on a 20a breaker, so I'm deciding between a 1/2 and 3/4 hp pump. The basement toilet does not get used a lot which is why they've likely had little issues until now.
Zoeller used to have a great reputation. I do phone consulting if you need more help.
As much as it sucks , i own a property that requires sewage pumping, il regret it , hes right, even if i hate it, i sadly must deal with it
Thanks for sharing your tale of woe! I guarantee you'll NEVER again own a property that has one of these decroted pieces of crap.
What about the upflow toilets with maceration pumps?
Use your imagination as to how you would deal with a burned-out pump and 10 gallons of dookie water. Nothing about this is hard.
@@askthebuilder How often do they fail? (I know nothing about these upflow units). I'm only asking because I was considering installing a full bathroom in the basement. The sewer line is about 4' above the basement floor and about 3' below grade. I own a pond, so I have several external pumps and impellers. Not like I would ever want to service a poop system. Thank you for the response.
they had a lot that accommodates gravity fed system. They should have put the septic on the other side of the home.
It would have made no difference putting the tank on the other side of the house. What needed to happen is for the house to be *farther up* the hill.
@@askthebuilder why...plumbing stack would terminate through the slab and sewer pipe buried and pitched appropriately underground out to the buried septic tank. looks like the house is built at grade on one side..
@user-en8jv7dw8q
1 second ago
i am looking at adding one OUTSIDE my cabin and pumping over 140 feet of very little uphill to connect with main house plumbing. Would this be a good unit for that. i live on the west coast in bc, lots of rain, doesnt freeze much. Is it 2 inch discharge after the pump fine without a macerator?
my other though was to get a big sistern/black water tank, which i can use gravity to get to. But then id have to pump it every year maybe. About 400 for the pump truck. It will only be the toilet draining in nothing else..
I've been a master plumber for four decades. You should get on a phone call with me about this. shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
does this cost money?@@askthebuilder
Why of course it does. You're dealing with a professional just like an attorney, your CPA, doctor, etc. You'd be getting EXPERT advice from me that might save you THOUSANDS of dollars.
Kind of defeats the purpose of getting free information from youtube. Seems no trades, even a friend, want to take the time to explain something to the average home owner/DIY these days. @@askthebuilder thanks anyways
You get paid for your knowledge and effort. Why do you think folks like me should work for free? I simply don't get it. Do you know how much a RUclipsr like me gets per video view? $0.0001
So what's the alternative?
#1. Old-fashioned chamber pot dumped out each morning from a window. #2. Traditional outhouse some distance from the house. #3. More modern Port-a-let rented from a local company. All I can think of at this time.
The only alternative would be not to have any drains for toilets, showers, sinks, or floor drains below the actual outlet for your city sewer or septic tank. Thank goodness in OLD homes it was typically LOWER than the lowest basement level of the home, so you could have a toilet flange or floor drain right in the floor of your basement and it would flow out to the city sewer. In newer homes it seems to be only 4 feet or so below grade so you need a way to pump sewage up from the basement floor to the septic or sewer outlet which is feet above the basement floor.
What about outside the home
It's not the worst of evils as General John Stark would say.
I have a house lower than the street sewer line. How do I pump it up?
I could put the septic tank outside the house under front yard, eliminating the issues you brought up.
Yes, you could. Or, you could sell that lot and get one that has proper drainage allowing you to put in a septic tank and leach field where it belongs.
@@askthebuilder or you know, properly maintain a sewage sump pump system. its not that hard to do and not have a problem. your solution is to never own a car because you have to change the oil. and if your engine blows its because you own a car. septic systems cost a fuggg ton more buddy. proper solution for application is key.
@MalWolf01 You missed the point of the video. Let's use your analogy. ALL cars break down no matter how well you maintain them. They contain moving parts. The parts wear out. In this case, when the pump fails, and it most certainly will, you have do deal with 30 gallons of dookie stew. Or, you pay a plumber well over $800 (2024 rates) to do it for you. Oh, and then add on the cost of the new pump.
This video was made PRIMARILY for people smart enough to do their *due diligence* BEFORE they buy a lot. And as for why lots on hills that are BELOW a sewer line are still undeveloped, it's because SMART buyers realized what I just said above. You never want to buy the dog lot in a subdivision.
Not everyone has the financial wherewithall to buy a premium lot that allows for gravity drainage. Sometimes one needs to pump effluent up to a gravity drain. When that's the case you dig a sump pit OUTSIDE of the living space and pump from there. So although I agree that a sewage ejector pump inside of the dwelling isn't a good idea, I don't agree that you forego the use of a sewage ejector system altogether. Seems that's throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Is it safe to assume you've never had to replace a pump in a sewage ejection system? If you have done it, can you share with the masses your intimate experience with the liquid and solid waste that was in the pit?
I was all excited about having a bathroom in the basement until I seen this. Now I’m thinking about moving my drain field to the back yard.
And septic tank.
You always want GRAVITY to take wastewater from your home to the leach field. NO PUMPS at all in any drainage system.
they have propane gas pumps now that run on helium gas to lubricate the pump. So it literally never burns up. look it up. pretty neat technology
"....so it literally never burns up." BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHA It has moving parts! What was the last pump you saw that ran forever without breaking? Anything with moving parts will fail. This is why AAVs should be outlawed.
@@askthebuilder You literally didn't read a word I said. Have you ever seen a helium gas lubricated pump in action? I'm sure you haven't. I've seen them last for over 10 years.
@@flyflyaway1371 I read your comment. I'll quote you again: "...So it literally *never burns up*." My comment challenged that stating that the pumps have moving parts and by default are GUARANTEED to fail, burn up, etc.
I’ve had a sewage pump in my basement for 20 years never an issue and no smells. Also they do not cost that much when they fail. It’s basically a beefed up sump pump. Not a big deal
TNX for the report. Please come back *WHEN* the pump fails and let us know how you dealt with the 30 gallons of dookie water in the pit.
Yeah. I agree....whole house Sewage pumps or Grinder pumps aren't lthe Greatest of Shituation, ( pun intended).
Having a basement bath on a Sewage crock ( rest of house on gravity) is manageable if installed and maintained properly. FEEDING it an enzyme treatment a couple times a year, high failure alarm,properly vented and sealed lid goes...a long way.
Having WHOLE HOUSE Crock inside ..Bad idea.
You can install Grinder Symplex and Duplex system outside the house and can pump this 700/ 1000 plus away from the house.. too!
Even with a lower-level system as is in this video, just wait until you have to take that lid off and deal with that nice big 30-gallon pot of Dookie Stew. That's the point I'm trying to make. Those who pooh-pooh my stance have never gotten any Dookie Stew splashed on them. They'll change their tune when they have trouble holding their breath for all the time it takes to replace the pump.
@@askthebuilder Fun ...! RIGHT!🤣😆
This is a whole lot of fear! His proposition is ridiculous. Lived in a California home for 16 years with one in our basement. Yes, it smelled from time-to-time, but it was no big deal. Also, the pump needed service at one point due to poor installation, but still there were no issues.
Thank you for confirming what I said in the video! I'm sure many homeowners would be fine with sewer gas smell in their homes. I'm sure even more wouldn't mind paying the $1,000 or $2,000 in 2023 dollars what a plumber would charge to change out a pump. My proposition about building a home that takes advantage of gravity instead of fighting it is anything BUT ridiculous. Only a fool would buy such a house or lot. Thanks again!
@@askthebuilder well maybe that cost is true if the pump needed to be replaced, but alas that was not the case. A jury-rigged wire was impeding the float. Easy fix, couple hundred bucks. There are newer sump systems that which specializes in tight seals to prohibit gasses and such from escaping the tank. In addition, there a very strong grinding pumps which break up the solids, including feminine products. We NEVER had an issue outside of the wire on the float in the 16 years it was being fed by a two kitchen sinks, two toilets, one bar sink, two bathroom sinks and one shower. I’m currently involved in a build and will be using an ejector system again. Like I said, this is fear based and to discount/eliminate a lot or a house with a sump pump is ill advised. If anyone is overly concerned, a ceiling fan can be installed in the pit room.
If your line of thinking was correct, and it's not, then civil engineers would have adopted your stance decades ago. All sewer lines would be shallow and there would be sewage ejector pumps in all houses. There would be multiple lift stations in residential neighborhoods all across the world. But guess what? That's *NOT* the case. Sewage ejection pumps are for people that didn't pay attention in high school physics class. And your suggestion to install a ceiling fan in the pit room is laughable. I'll only start to consider giving your following comments any credibility when you can prove to me that you yourself have replaced a pump in a pit filled with rank sewage water, floating solids, and disgusting sludge in the bottom of the pit. Go ahead and take your pump out and let me know how that goes for you.
Our family eats a lot of corn
Our family eats lots of tasty buckeyes.
I’ve been a plumber for 28 years I could not agree more they are some of the worst products out there beyond disgusting
It's always great to hear from a peer. Thanks for your comment as homeowners need to become aware of this BEFORE they buy a lot. The trouble is I've discovered after 28 years of being Ask the Builder that 99% of most homeowners don't do their due diligence and they screech in the cold frigid waters of failure pleading for me to throw them a life preserver. By then, it's too late.
Any thoughts on built in pump toilets? Sani pumps sold at lowes
Here is the question: mount septic with the pump or 18k worth of dirt and 4-course stemwall? The world is never ideal.
It's ideal if you *don't* buy a lot that defies the Universal Law of Gravity...
Germany has a lot of these, they call them "lifting pumps", and they are always breaking down, burning out and getting clogged up. Completely useless and cause a flooded mess.
There is no substitute for gravity. Period
100% agree. Our has been nothing but problems and we didn't know about it until after we moved here. First time buyers and not being informed.
Have you had to clean the sewage system in the house? and if so how much did you have to pay too get an extraction?
Another option: Let all the waste water flow out of the house to a sump pump that is installed OUTSIDE the house.... THEN, pump it up to wherever the hell ya want. NEVER...is too encompassing a word for this subject.
You'll come back and edit your last sentence the day after you have to deal with a sewage ejector pump that's failed and you're dealing with a sump full of S * * *. You'll then say, "It looks like Tim knew what he was talking about." As for exterior ejector pits, what's your plan for places where the ground FREEZES up to 5 feet deep each winter?
good advice thanks
TNX! Check out the *THANKS* text link under the video. :-)
AGREE !!!!!! ... love your style sir ...... If i cant to it to my standards... I wont do the job... All ever people remember is WHO did the job... Not who came up with the idea to be cheap and stupid !!! :) :)
It is easy finding issues why don't you make a video with solutions, other than buy a different lot. Hundreds of thousands of homes have these, should they all sell their houses
It's easy finding fault with videos. I went to your channel. You have two simplistic Short videos. Why don't YOU go make a video telling the world how wonderful sewage ejection pits are. Be sure you show that murky brown water with a few dookies floating around after you take off the cover. Make sure we see you outfitted in all the protective gear including rubber gloves. I worry that you didn't pay attention to what I said in my video. You better go watch it again. It's all about high school physics and buying land that has gravity flow.
First mine doesn’t smell at all. And second THIS IS NOT HELPFUL when you already own your house. No matter WHAT you say, having the bathroom in my basement is better than not having it. And if I have to pay a plumber $1000 every few years to deal with issues that’s more than worth it. I just don’t get how how you can say “never do this” when a lot of us HAVE NO CHOICE. Not helpful.
You did have a choice. You could have PASSED on buying the existing home that had one of these horrible ejection pumps. This video is extremely helpful. Do you see how it taught you to use more of your God-given critical-thinking skills before you make one of the biggest purchases of your life? I can tell you're upset. You should redirect that anger at yourself for making a poor decision. Better luck next time.
😂😂😂
You won't be laughing when you have to deal with the brown stew. Your face will look like this - I GUARANTEE it: 🤬
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