What Is an Ejector Pump?

The last thing you want is foul-smelling sewage seeping into your basement, so installing an ejector pump is a top priority for protecting your home against smelly overflows. Understanding what an ejector pump is and how it works can make it easier to spot issues with your system before they cause serious problems.

An ejector pump is part of your home's plumbing system. It's sometimes called a sewage pump because it pumps sewage and wastewater away from your home into a municipal sewer or your septic tank.

You may need to install an ejector pump if you live in an area prone to sewage clogs or drainage problems to stop contaminated water and solid waste from entering your home.  You may also have one if you have plumbing fixtures located in a basement where gravity alone cannot carry waste through the pipes and out of your home.

How Does an Ejector Pump Work and Where Is It Located?

Sewage ejector pumps are installed in a sump basin. All the drain lines from your home empty into the sump basin. The ejector pump has a float mechanism that turns the pump on automatically when the water in the sump basin exceeds a certain level because of heavy rain or a blocked drain. The float switches the pump off again once the water returns to a normal level. Sewage pumps feature a tightly sealed lid to stop waste gasses from escaping and getting inside the house.

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How Is an Ejector Pump Different From a Sump Pump?

Ejector pumps and sump pumps are both installed in a sump basin, but they perform different functions. A sump pump removes excess rainwater from the sump basin to stop your basement from flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, an ejector pump removes sewage from the sump basin.