The Differences Between A Sump Pump And An Ejector Pump
Home owners usually have sump pumps in their basement or cellar areas. These come of use for disaster management, especially in areas which are prone to flooding from snow melt, storms or river floods. These pumps are important to keep basement areas dry and help prevent water damage to structural foundations and walls of a home. Ejector pumps are similar and they perform similar basic function of removing water that might accumulate in a basement area. However, there are certain features that are different between the two pump systems.
Features of sump pumps
Sump pumps are often submersible water pumps that are placed in a sump basin in the basement area. These comprise of cylindrical containers that are about two feet deep and are usually set into the floor area. There is an inlet or two that connect to end of a drain tile system. Water that collects flows out through the drain tile after it reaches a level that is high enough to trigger the float switch of a sump pump. Usually ground water collects in the sump basin, which seeps from the soil and the home foundation. The sump pump, when activated, water flows out into the outside via a discharge pipe. In case a sump pump fails or gets overwhelmed, as in case of a flood, most sump pumps are often fitted with a battery operated backup pump system.
Features of ejector pumps
An ejector pump is similar to a sump pump and also located in a floor basin. It does not collect ground water, but accumulates water that flows in from floor drains, from a washing machine or if there is a below grade bathroom. Ejector pumps will process waste water and has a sealed lid on the basin along with a vent pipe through which sewer gases are released. The discharge from the ejector pump will connect to the sanitary or sewage lines. If an ejector pump malfunction, it can lead to flooding and the water is usually dirty and raw sewage might be present.
Malfunctions and repairs
Both types of pumps can be repaired and fixed by expert plumbers. In case there is a flood in the basement area due to which the sump pump has malfunctioned, you can call in A Better Plumber to fix the problem. If the ejector pump has malfunctioned, you might need an emergency plumbing assistance that will fix the problem and help to get the dirty water disposed of.
If you have a problem identifying which pump does what function, you can ask an expert plumber to help you identify the pumps, their intended functions as well as understand whether both are working fine. This is a necessity when you are purchasing a new home that has such fixtures already in place. It is imperative that you get these pumps checked along with other water line connections in and around the home. A Better Plumber can also help with checks on gas lines, toilet lines and septic tank systems.
