NFT: ? for anyone who has a basement sub pump

It's called a sump pump. They probably didn't vent the pump up toilet system correctly. I would have a plumber take a look at it.

Is necessary when your septic lines are above the plumbing of the toilet, sink, and appliances in a basement. They shoukd be sealed very well or they will not only smell, but leak all over your floor in the event of pump failure. I would address this ASAP.

Even a do it DIY'er may choose to call in the professionals for this My suggestion is too call a plumber to properly seal the ejector pit. While they are in there you might consider a new pump if yours is older.

In regards to the pump itself, we have had issue’s since we moved in. It is set to a alarm that sounds when it stops working and has gone off many times. Only once we have had someone come out to look at it only because after unplugging it a few times it dislodged whatever was stuck and began working again. To my best knowledge the pump is the original one which would be 14 years old.

We have not had any issues with overflow but ounce my toilet almost did when we did not realize the pump was not working. We are currently under HSA insurance for a year with the purchase of the home but apparently sewage is not covered under the policy and had a sewer company out to fix it the last time. Would a plumber be a better option to have come out and look at it or stick with the sewer company?
Thanks for all the info.

In regards to the pump itself, we have had issue’s since we moved in. It is set to a alarm that sounds when it stops working and has gone off many times. Only once we have had someone come out to look at it only because after unplugging it a few times it dislodged whatever was stuck and began working again. To my best knowledge the pump is the original one which would be 14 years old.

We have not had any issues with overflow but ounce my toilet almost did when we did not realize the pump was not working. We are currently under HSA insurance for a year with the purchase of the home but apparently sewage is not covered under the policy and had a sewer company out to fix it the last time. Would a plumber be a better option to have come out and look at it or stick with the sewer company?
Thanks for all the info.

I hate Google Chrome

If the alarm has been going off, that is a bad sign. Get a good plumber in to fix/replace the pump.

I just want the issue fixed. So a standard plumber would be able to work on this?

A sump pump is for expelling ground water to keep your basement dry. An ejector pump pumps toilet, sink, shower, laundry or any other water source upwards I to your sewer line.

If you have a problem with smell, you need to get the seals for all Of the sources that empty into the sewer line checked. If you have a shower or tub down there that get very little use, the seals get dried out and fail, causing the smell to back up from the sewer line. You should periodically run water into bath/ shower if you don't use them often to keep the seals lubricated. Obviously, after the seal has been replaced.

You are correct sorry this is all new to me but I would guess it fall in the ejector pump category. It pushes up all waste and use from the basement bathroom.

The smell is generated from the well we call it the bonb shelter where the pump is. No issues anywhere else in the home but have had nothing but issues and smell in the basement. Would a plumber be able to do this work or only a sewer company?

Thanks again for the corrections

and see if the pump goes off. You can also put a cinder block in the pit and put the pump on top of it if the pump runs too much. the other suggestions are spot on

That's who installed mine and gave me the info about maintenance. Good luck.

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But I have a lid that keep the smell out of the basement. If you are dumping into the sewer, you need a back flow value. The value will air lock the sewer side of the outflow pipe and keep the smell out of the basement.

I should have read the other posts. What I told you won't work for an ejector pump

Sump Pump = a pump used to dispel water that seeps in through the foundation of a home. French drains are often used with them as part of a system of water removal. The water usually is pumped to the exterior of the house, perhaps to a stream or storm sewer.

Ejector Pump = a pump used to dispel plumbing waste from a bathroom or laundry that is below the level of the sanitary sewer line. Commonly used in basements. Waste is pumped to a sanitary sewer line.

Whenever I use my fireplace in winter, a bad smell comes out of the basement bathroom. It smells like the PVC pipe coming out of the roof which allows for air pressure for the toilets. So, there must be some way that the exhausting air out of the fireplace pulls air from that bathroom. Any suggestions on how to find the problem? Could a plumber even do that?

My apologies to all for not knowing WTF to call this thing. But I have gained a lot of knowledge on this and appreciate all the insight.

In comment 12398946 bigblue1124 said:

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My apologies to all for not knowing WTF to call this thing. But I have gained a lot of knowledge on this and appreciate all the insight.

Certainly no apologies needed. I didn't know this shit when I bought my house either. Good to know this stuff when you call plumbers so you're on the same page,

In comment 12398959 Jim in Fairfax said:

Quote:

In comment 12398946 bigblue1124 said: Quote: My apologies to all for not knowing WTF to call this thing. But I have gained a lot of knowledge on this and appreciate all the insight. Certainly no apologies needed. I didn't know this shit when I bought my house either. Good to know this stuff when you call plumbers so you're on the same page,

Same comments as Jim, I had to have a master plumber re-vent the basement as part of my first work on my house. When previous owners do things themselves or have half-assed contractors, you end up paying.

you are probably correct that your fireplace is pulling in air from other sources BUT all of your plumbing vents should have a water filled trap to prevent the back flow of air and gases into the house.

Something must be missing a trap or a vent has run dry.

More concerning is the lack of adequate combustion air for your fireplace this could cause flue gases from your wayer heater or furnace to be drawn back into the house which could be deadly.

I checked mine and it's a Liberty Pumps Pro 380. Flawless for around 5 years and counting. Empties toilet, 2 sinks, a shower, and washing machine without a hitch and not a trace of smell ever.

In comment 12399312 oghwga said:

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you are probably correct that your fireplace is pulling in air from other sources BUT all of your plumbing vents should have a water filled trap to prevent the back flow of air and gases into the house. Something must be missing a trap or a vent has run dry. More concerning is the lack of adequate combustion air for your fireplace this could cause flue gases from your wayer heater or furnace to be drawn back into the house which could be deadly.

Thank you for this.

do you have a sink, shower, washer drain, etc., (anything with a drain) that is rarely used?

If so, run some water in it. All the water in the trap has evaporated.

Check under your washing machine. Some houses have spill pans with a drain. That's a possible culprit since it's only used when the washing machine leaks.

In comment 12399702 dorgan said:

Quote:

do you have a sink, shower, washer drain, etc., (anything with a drain) that is rarely used? If so, run some water in it. All the water in the trap has evaporated. Check under your washing machine. Some houses have spill pans with a drain. That's a possible culprit since it's only used when the washing machine leaks.

Thanks for this, dorgan. I've done all of that, except for the washing machine, thinking that it was rank water, but the smell only happens when I use the fireplace in winter, making me think that it must have to do with suction of air out the draft. (Which is a bummer, because we always use the fireplace.)

I will check under the washing machine to make sure about that, though.

Thanks again.