Sewage ejector pump service in Aurora, CO

Fixtures below the sewer line drain by gravity into a sealed basin set into the basement floor. As the basin fills, a float switch rises and turns on the pump, which pushes waste up a discharge pipe to the main drain. A check valve on that pipe stops the waste from falling back down when the pump shuts off.

The basin is sealed and vented to keep sewer gas out of the room. An alarm, either on the basin or plugged in nearby, warns you when water rises too high. Each of these parts can fail on its own, which is why we test the float, check valve, pump, vent and alarm separately before deciding on a fix.

Ejector pumps handle human waste and toilet paper, but wipes, paper towels, feminine products, dental floss and cat litter cause most of the jams we see. Even products labeled flushable can wrap around the impeller or tangle the float. Keep a small trash can in the basement bathroom and tell guests what not to flush.

Grease from a basement bar sink is another common culprit. It coats the basin walls and the float, which leads to the pump sticking on or off. A quick flush of hot water after use helps, but limiting what goes down the drain in the first place makes the biggest difference to pump life.

A failed float switch, check valve or alarm is usually a quick repair. A jammed impeller can often be cleared without replacing the pump. When the motor itself has failed, the housing is cracked or the pump has run for many years, replacement is the better choice. We tell you which path makes sense and price both if it's close.

Replacement is also a chance to upgrade. A pump with a stronger motor handles longer discharge runs, and a grinder pump suits systems with long or uphill discharge lines. A battery-backed or wireless alarm can alert you on your phone. We match the new pump to your basin size, discharge height and fixture load.