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Why Does My Sump Pump Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
The rotten eggs smell comes from the sulfur from the sewer gas seeping up and out through cracks in the flooring. Your pipes are connected to a sewage pipe beneath the basement and if your plumbing is more than 15 years old, the interlock valves may leak dirt, vent stack and sediment into your pipes. which may cause a rotten egg smell.
Other Causes include:
Sewer Line Breach
Plumbing may involve the use of pipes that carries away household waste and wipes out most of it before pumping the water into city sewers.
Occasionally, sewage can back into your home through your basement or overflow from a toilet, bathtub, or sink.
If you’ve ever opened up a hotel room and you get sulfur smell, this results from sewer gas seeping up and out through cracks in the flooring.
Sewer gas stinks because it contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the same chemical that gives rotten eggs their characteristic smell.
Vent Stack
Your water heater is connected to the sewer system via a vent stack in the basement. If there is a blockage, that vent will fill up with water and sewage gases, which will cause a rotten egg smell.
Check your vent stack for possible clogs, clean it out, or have the plumber do so. If your vent still smells like sulfur, he may need to install an electrostatic treatment device in that area. This should eliminate odor problems for good.
If you have a well, check it for other possible causes. A build-up of iron or manganese minerals can cause this problem and bacterial or chemical contamination. Your local health department can test your water and tell you what’s happening.
Interlock Valves
Your pipes are connected to a sewage pipe beneath the street. If your plumbing is more than 15 years old, the interlock valves may leak dirt and sediment into your pipes, which may cause a rotten egg smell.
An easy fix is cleaning the valves with a solution of baking soda and vinegar. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call in a professional plumber.
Cooking Sulfur
If you are cooking red meat or fish in your kitchen and not ventilating the area properly, the rotten egg smell will waft through your basement. Have your windows open more when you cook to avoid this problem.
What To Do If Basement Drain Backs Up? – 5 Ways
| Ways | Description |
| Disconnect the Drain | It’s not always possible, but if you can remove the pipe leading to your basement drainage system, you should. This will stop the water from being able to flow back up and into your home. |
| Cleaning | Using a plunger might help, but it doesn’t remove the mess causing this problem. If you don’t feel up to the plunger, try using a little baking soda and water down the drain. |
| A Paste Made with baking soda | Baking soda is a lot stronger than it looks, but there’s a way you can use it to help reduce the problem. You’ll need a small bowl and some water. Mix the baking soda and water in your bowl until it’s a thick paste, and smear it down your drains. |
| Use an Auger | Don’t just troll for drain cleaners down your local hardware store aisle when you get stuck like this. You might want to try digging down a small bit and then using your auger to try and clear out the clog. It might take a few minutes, but you can find these tools at most hardware stores. |
| Shove a Plunger down the drain | If you have a plunger available in your house, it might be worth taking a stab with that before calling professional help. |
Why Is My Sewage Pump Not Working?
A sewage pump is a device that pumps water from the bottom of a canal up through the channel to the top. The amount of water pumped into a sewer system usually depends on how far the pump is from a collection point or discharge point for collected wastewater.
This can happen if your pump is not plugged in properly and the strainers are clogged, if no water is flowing through it, or if a variety of other problems can affect the performance of your sewage pump.
When you notice loud noises emanating from your wastewater tank or sewage system and no water coming out of the outlet pipe on your sewage pump, there’s a problem with one of these components.
The noise you hear is the motor of your pump straining under the pressure of moving sewage through the pipes. If there is no water movement, you will find that the pump is not doing its job.
This could be due to several different malfunctioning parts in your wastewater system, starting with the strainers.
The strainers in your sewage system are designed to catch any large objects from moving through your pipes, but they can also become clogged up with sediment if you don’t clean them out regularly.
As you can imagine, this can harm the performance of your sewage pump. If the strainers are clogged, there won’t be anything for the pump to push through, and it will stop working altogether.
If your filters are clean, and you don’t have water flowing through them, check your sewage tank or gutter for a blockage.
If there is one, unblock it and ensure that nothing is blocking the flow of water from your sewer pipe that leads to the pump. If all the water is not getting to the pump, it will not be able to function.
9 Common Ejector Pump Problems and How to Fix
- Pump Burnout
If your ejector pump stops, the motor might not be able to generate enough power due to a burned-out bearing, worn piston ring, or defective generator.
This will typically cause the end of the pump piston to stick in its cavity and prevent it from moving. You can fix this issue by removing any debris that has collected around the perimeter of the bearing and components, as well as lubricating them with oil.
- Piston Seize
Another common ejector pump problem is when a pump piston seizes inside the bore because of improper lubrication. In this situation, water may leak from the shaft seal at the outlet.
To fix this issue, remove any rust or other debris from the area affected by water leakage and oil it up with a syringe.
- Leaking Bearings
It’s not uncommon for an ejector pump’s bearings to eventually wear and leak due to age, rust, or corrosion. This can be a difficult problem to fix. Most of the time, you’ll need to replace the entire bearing assembly.
- Piston Spring Issue
The problem with an ejector pump that won’t eject or fills too quickly is usually due to a bad piston spring that needs replacing when you take it out of your toilet tank.
To check if this is the case, begin with a feel for any leaks around your toilet tank’s seal and remove any debris blocking the seals inside the tank.
- Check for Clogs and Obstructions
If the fluid is not exiting your pump under pressure, it might be because of a clog in the outlet line or obstruction between the pump and the discharge pipe.
To clean out these obstructions, you may need to remove the pump from your toilet tank, check for kinks or blockages in the line, and remove any rust from around the coupling and other parts of the ejector pump.
- Disconnect the Electrical Source
Sometimes an ejector pump stops working entirely. This is usually due to an improper ground connection or loose connections around the motor or in your tank.
To see if this is the case, unplug all electrical connections from your toilet tank and turn the pump on by plugging it into another outlet.
What Happens If the Ejector Pump Fails?
If the ejector pump fails, it will mean sewage backup into your home, creating an unhygienic environment and possibly damaging your basement or home foundation.
Contact a plumber if you notice any peculiar symptoms from your pump, such as bulging pipes or unusual noises. Routine service is essential because pumps require routine maintenance to handle wear and tear.
Without this regular upkeep, the pump will not be able to function properly in the event of an emergency or power outage.
If your pump stops working abruptly and cannot be repaired, you can do a few things to get the sewage out of your home:
- Turn off the water supply to the house; this will prevent any excess water from running into your home.
- Drain all toilets in the house by running them until they are empty; do not stop until they are completely dry.
- Open all faucets in the house and turn on all showers, tubs, and sinks simultaneously; this will allow for drainage.
- If the backup is in the basement, under a deck, or any place where sewage may not have reached, use a shop vacuum to suck out as much sewage as possible.
If the backup reaches your living space, you can use water from your bathtub to clean up after it has been sanitized. Also, you can use a shop vacuum to suck any remaining water out of your home.
Then, use a mop and disinfectant or bleach solution to clean the floor and rinse with clean water.
How Do You Test an Ejector Pump? 4 Ways
| Method | Description |
| Hydrostatic Testing | This test is performed with water. It’s done before the pump installation or repair starts. This test will measure the water pressure on its inlet and outlet sides using a dial gauge or manometer. |
| Mechanical Testing | After hydrostatic testing, a mechanical test of the ejector pump will be done by two independent machines calibrated to perform a similar task. The ejector pump is fine if both machines are reading the same data. If both machines differ in data from the permitted limit, the ejector pump will be rejected. |
| Vacuum Testing | This test determines if an ejector pump’s suction pressure is well above its discharge pressure. This test will be done before installing or fixing a new component. For this test, a vane-type vacuum gauge will be used. |
| Flow Testing | This test determines if an ejector pump can deliver its required flow. A flow meter with its dial gauge boasts usage for this test. |
Is There a Reset Button on Sump Pumps?
Yes! The reset button is on the pump’s motor housing, generally just below the handle. Turn the pump off and back on with a wrench to reset it.
The sump pump is an important device that helps protect your home from surface water flooding in a disaster like rain or snowmelt.
If your sump pump is acting up, it might be because its switch has worn out, and currently, you’re not sure how to tell if that is the case.
The switch on your sump pump is a simple switch whose job is to turn the pump off and on. It’s marked with three positions to help identify what setting it’s in.
You’ve probably seen your switch labeled “on” or “off.” Those are the most common labels, but there are others, too. You may see them labelled “high,” “medium,” or “low.
Regardless of the name, each one of these positions corresponds to a different setting for your sump pump.
Your switch will be labelled with either an “on” or “off” symbol. This is often accompanied by an arrow, signifying which way the switch turns to stop or start your sump pump.
If you see this symbol, you know the switch is mechanical, not electronic. You will turn this with a wrench to turn your pump on or off.
How Do I Know If My Sump Pump Is Frozen?
It could be impossible to thaw a frozen sump pump if you don’t know. Here are some tips that might help.
- Ensure the freeze is only on the outside of the pump (not inside). If it’s not freezing, you can use a hair dryer to defrost it quickly.
- Make sure the pump is plugged in and unburied.
Even though a garage or basement may be warm, water in your sump pump can freeze quickly. Be sure to check both the power cord (“power off” switch) and the hose leading to your sump basin (pipe leading to outside).
- Make sure you have enough fuel. If you are completely out of gas, or if it’s below freezing outside, your chances of successfully removing a frozen sump pump are next to nothing.
- Try a hair dryer or heat gun. If you have liquid fuel, use it to warm up the hose leading to your sump basin (outside) and melt the ice away.
If you do not have liquid fuel, try a hair dryer. Keep at it until there is no longer any resistance as you rotate the pump by hand. Sometimes this can take several hours to warm up.
- If nothing above works, drain the water in your sump basin and the ice around your pump.
Be sure to empty your sump basin with enough water so you don’t worsen the problem by flooding your basement if you break through the ice during thawing.
Why Won’t My Sump Pump Drain?
Debris
One of the most common reasons a sump pump may not work is debris in the drain line. This can be anything from silt, sludge, leaves, or even small clogs caused by hair or other items.
When these objects are flushed into your drainage system, they accumulate over time, eventually creating a blockage that prevents water from exiting the house or building.
Clogged Vent
Another cause of a malfunctioning sump pump is a clogged vent pipe. This is sometimes the result of a tree limb or other debris falling and lodging into the vent system.
In such cases, a sump pump with a bypass valve can help drain your system without wasting time or effort.
Hoses
Another common cause of a malfunctioning sump pump is kinked hoses draining water back into your house through your pump’s discharge pipe.
Sump Pump
Another common problem caused by a malfunctioning sump pump is that it does not drain. This can be caused by either a clogged sump or suction pipe, where the water goes into the pump, or if the pump’s motor has failed.
If it is costly to repair your sump pump, you may want to replace it. Read more about installing a new or replacement sump pump.
Electrical Problems
If the frequency of your sump pump operation changes, you may have a problem with your electrical system. For example, water could be flowing into the house before or after the operation of the pump.
The most common cause is if there is no ground fault protection on your electrical panel. If this is the problem, you must locate a ground fault interrupter at the electrical panel that controls all of your fuses and breakers.
These devices trigger if this happens, allowing for a quick shut-off of any loose wiring in the future.
Faulty Motor or Sump Pump
Another cause can be if your sump pump motor has failed, either because it is broken or burned out. In such cases, you may want to replace the whole motor, including a new seal.
How Much Does It Cost to Unclog A Sump Pump?
The cost of an unclog can vary so much depending on the type of clog, location, and difficulty. It’s good to compare prices before you hire a professional.
Generally speaking, it will cost about $50-$400 for labor and parts, not including materials used during the process. Another factor that can put a price burden on you is the material used to unclog your pump.
Your sump pump should be unclogged using chemical and physical means. Chemical means are the most common due to ease of use and application.
General hand-held chemical pumps and other household items will work well for this process. These include cleaning the pump with a garden hose or a chemical drain cleaner.
Your sump pump can be unclogged using physical force. This method is much more time-consuming and requires you to remove the sump pump entirely from the wall.
| How Much Does It Cost to Unclog A Sump Pump? | |
| Type | Cost |
| Primary sump pump | $100- $200 |
| Backup pump | $100- $200 |
| Combination pump | $200 to $500 |
| Sewage pump | $318 – $350 |
| Effluent pump | $150 |
How To Calculate the Cost of Each Item In A Sump Pump
Sump pump cost varies heavily depending on what your needs are. A high-quality sump pump installation will cost $1,200, and some models range from $600 to $3,800.
A few factors play into the overall cost of a sump pump installation, such as the type of plumbing, height where the pump needs to be installed, drilling or cutting through floors or walls to install it, and electrical wiring if it requires an outdoor power outlet.
If your system only has a few items that need a sump pump, there are some basic considerations you can make to get the cheapest sump pump installation possible:
– The number of items you have installed will determine the number of feet you need to drill. You can either go with or without a float switch.
The float switch will typically cost $25, while the drill required will cost $50 or more.
– Sump pumps are available in various power sources, the three main ones being Electrical power, Battery backup, and a Portable gasoline engine.
The cost of an electric-powered sump pump is typical $150 to $300, depending on the model you choose. This is your best option if you want to save money on electricity because you already get it cheaper at night than during the day.
The costs of battery-powered and portable gas pumps are typical $250 to $350.
– If you get a sump pump that requires an outdoor power outlet, it will cost you an additional $50 to 50 on top of the original price.
You can get a cheaper version of your sump pump if you don’t need it to run off electricity or gas, but this will cut your installation cost.
– The installation cost will be averaged out depending on the overall price of your sump pump.
For example, an average sump pump installation could cost $400 to $600 if purchased in a store, but if you have to purchase it online, you could pay as much as $1,200 for your total cost.
– You may find using a sump pump water alarm system easier and cheaper. A water alarm system is much cheaper than a sump pump and can cost as little as $60.
You will have to pay an additional fee if you have to have your electric company come out and install a transformer to supply power to the circuit that the water alarm is using.
A sump pump water alarm system will have a battery backup, so if your electricity is cut off, it will still work.
Ideally, you would want to purchase an electric-powered sump pump set-up, but if you are trying to save money, this is your second-best option.
Conclusion
A sewage and ejector pump is important in your home and business. It checks utility bills, ensures proper drainage to your property, and, most importantly, prevents flooding in your basement or property.
So, if you have noticed a change in the performance of your sump pump or any other issues that could be related to it, then it’s advisable to contact a local plumber who will come and examine the system closely.
