Sump Pump or Ejector Pump are they the same or not?

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  • SHADOWFOX
    Veteran Member
    • May 2005
    • 1232
    • IL, USA.
    • DELTA 36-675
    #1

    Sump Pump or Ejector Pump are they the same or not?

    Hi folks,

    Are they the same or are they two totally different things? Our house is 10 years old and I think the ejector or sump pump is broken. Last night when I was putting away some tools in my basement shop, I noticed that there's a standing water in the lid that covers the sump. I also noticed some water in the drain right below the water heater relief pipe? I've never installed a sump or ejector pump before but it looks like it does not take a rocket scientist to install one. I am going to use my Ridgid shop vac tonight to get the water out and check out the pump. Not really excited in spending money for a pump right now but I guess it is cheaper than the damage a basement flooding would caused. Anybody here a pro at doing this kind of install? Can you give some insight on what stuff I should have before I tackle on doing this myself? Greatly appreciate any help.

    Kind regards,
    Chris

    "The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth." -Pierre Abelard 11th Century philosopher.
    Tags: None
    • MikeMcCoy
      Senior Member
      • Nov 2004
      • 790
      • Moncks Corner, SC, USA.
      • Delta Contractor Saw
      #2
      I have no idea what the difference is between the two but changed one out last year. I had never done one before and just followed the basic instructions from the Lowe's site.

      http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...pSumpPump.html

        Comment

        • burrellski
          Established Member
          • Dec 2005
          • 218
          • Saint Joseph, MO.
          #3
          It sounds like you have a sump pump. An ejector pump is used to pump sewage from a basement bathroom up to level high enough for gravity to take over.

          Replacing a sump pump is a very straight forward forward process. I would check a few of the obvious things first (i.e. sump pump is getting power, no obstructions in drain line, etc...) then go pick up a new one.

            Comment

            • crokett
              The Full Monte
              • Jan 2003
              • 10627
              • Mebane, NC, USA.
              • Ryobi BT3000
              #4
              If you want a quality pump and good customer service, look at Zoeller. I have two of their systems and am very happy with both the pumps and their service when I called with questions.
              David

              The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

                Comment

                • kevincan
                  Established Member
                  • Oct 2006
                  • 181
                  • Central Illinois
                  • Craftsman 21829
                  #5
                  Sounds like it is a sump pump. They are pretty easy to replace. It might not be a bad idea to install a backup pump with battery if you are replacing it.

                  It may take a lot of work with the shop vac if there is water in the drain tiles.

                  Kevin

                    Comment

                    • Garasaki
                      Senior Member
                      • Sep 2006
                      • 550
                      #6
                      A sump pump is designed to pass water, ie the stuff that comes out of the drainage tile buried around your foundation (which goes into a sump pit).

                      A sewage ejector is designed to pass solids up to a certain size, as well as water (errr and everything in between). In other words, it's made to pump sewage.

                      So if you want to pump water only, a sump pump will do fine.

                      Should be a very straight forward installation.
                      -John

                      "Look, I can't surrender without orders. I mean they emphasized that to me particularly. I don't know exactly why. The guy said "Blake, never surrender without checking"
                      -Henry Blake

                        Comment

                        • SHADOWFOX
                          Veteran Member
                          • May 2005
                          • 1232
                          • IL, USA.
                          • DELTA 36-675
                          #7
                          Originally posted by crokett
                          If you want a quality pump and good customer service, look at Zoeller. I have two of their systems and am very happy with both the pumps and their service when I called with questions.
                          David,

                          Where do you get these Zoeller pumps? Are they available for purchase at big box stores? Reason I asked is I kind of need the pump tonight and get this replaced as soon as possible.

                          I got the water out of the sump with the shop vac. I went ahead and bought the pump adapter for the shop vac to that I did not have to stop and carry the shop vac out to get rid of the water, it worked out pretty well. I paid $39.00 but it was all worth it. I might go ahead and clean the sump before replacing the pump.

                          Thanks,
                          Last edited by SHADOWFOX; 08-11-2008, 05:18 PM.
                          Chris

                          "The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth." -Pierre Abelard 11th Century philosopher.

                            Comment

                            • crokett
                              The Full Monte
                              • Jan 2003
                              • 10627
                              • Mebane, NC, USA.
                              • Ryobi BT3000
                              #8
                              Chris,

                              Zoeller will have a dealer in your area - a plumbing supply place. That is where I bought mine. They don't sell them at the big boxes as far as I know.

                              If you go here:
                              http://www.zoeller.com/zcopump/zcohome.htm

                              and call them they can locate a dealer for you. I thought they had a dealer locater link on their website but I guess not.
                              David

                              The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

                                Comment

                                • BobSch
                                  Veteran Member
                                  • Aug 2004
                                  • 4385
                                  • Minneapolis, MN, USA.
                                  • BT3100
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by burrellski
                                  It sounds like you have a sump pump. An ejector pump is used to pump sewage from a basement bathroom up to level high enough for gravity to take over.

                                  Replacing a sump pump is a very straight forward forward process. I would check a few of the obvious things first (i.e. sump pump is getting power, no obstructions in drain line, etc...) then go pick up a new one.
                                  It may not be the pump itself but the float switch. Check that first. The switch usually has a double-ended plug - the switch plugs into the wall and the pump into the switch. Unplug the pump from the switch and plug in a lamp, then move the switch up and down. The lamp should go on and off.
                                  Bob

                                  Bad decisions make good stories.

                                    Comment

                                    • TheRic
                                      Veteran Member
                                      • Jun 2004
                                      • 1912
                                      • West Central Ohio
                                      • bt3100
                                      #10
                                      Before you buy a new sump pump see what size the old one is. If you get too large of one it will short cycle and burn out earlier, if you get too small of one it won't be able to keep up during heavy rains.

                                      A backup sump pump (battery or water) is a great idea!!
                                      Ric

                                      Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

                                        Comment

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