How to Replace an Ejector Pump
An ejector pump is a plumbing device that pumps dirty water from a household plumbing system into a septic tank or sewer. Typical ejector pumps are powered with an electric motor ranging from 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower, and are installed in a dedicated ejector pit on the property. New ejector pumps can usually be found at hardware or plumbing supply stores. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Pipe wrench
- Socket or adjustable wrench
- Channel lock pliers
- Teflon tape
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Instructions
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1
Unplug the cords on the switch and the pump motor from the electric outlet.
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Loosen the fastened clamps on the check valve secured to the discharge pipe, using a socket wrench or adjustable wrench.
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3
Disengage the check valve by hand after the clamps are loosened.
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Remove the ejector pit lid by loosening the bolts with a wrench. Place the lid off to the side.
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Disconnect the vent pipe by pulling it off by hand. If it is stuck, try twisting it loose.
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Grasp the discharge pipe and lift the old pump out of the ejector pit.
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Unscrew the discharge pipe attached to the old pump. If the pipe and fastenings are still in good condition, they can be reused with the new pump.
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Wrap Teflon tape to the screw threads for the discharge pipe. This will help create a stronger seal.
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Screw the discharge pipe to the new pump.
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Lift the new pump by the discharge pipe and place it into the ejector pit.
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Align the discharge pipe to the main pipe and attach it to the fittings where they were connected earlier.
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Reconnect the vent pipe.
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Cover the ejector pit partially with the lid, but do not fasten the bolts. (Leave it partially uncovered so that you can reach in and extract the cords.)
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Extract the cords from the pump in the pit by lifting the lid and pulling the cords through the slot.
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Tighten the lid bolts with a socket or adjustable wrench.
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Reconnect the check valve and align with the clamp that will hold it in place.
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Tighten the clamps while holding the check valve in place.
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Plug the cords into electric outlets.
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Tips & Warnings
When unbolting the ejector pit lid, you may discover that the rubber seal of the lid is too damaged to re-use, so it might be wise to install a new one.
During the installation process for the new pump, check the pipe connections to make sure they are snug. It is important for the pump to operate in a vacuum in order to effectively extract the used water from the house and into the ejector pit--a connection that is not snug can cause a leak.
