Sewage Pump Vs Sump Pump | What’s the Difference

You may get confused between a sewage ejector pump and a sump pump because of their similar appearances while they have completely different functionalities. Both the pumps have individual roles, and none can replace the other. After being assured of the distinguished traits of both, we are here to remove your confusion.

They are different from each other in many aspects:

• They have different functions.
• Their operation mechanism is different.
• Each has different maintenance requirements.
• Buying and installment costs are different.
• Their failure lead to different consequences.

The article will give you a close inspection of both the pumps, enabling you to deal with these independently.  It will make sure that you choose the right pump for specific applications.

Sump Pumps

First, let us introduce the sump pump that extracts excess water from the basement and prevents flooding. These are the lifesavers during a heavy rainstorm, even when you are miles from home.

· Operation

During a massive storm, the sump pit collects water from the basement and saves your property. As the water level in the basin rises, the float switch is triggered, activating the machine. The liquid flows through the discharge pipe out of the house. Moreover, its crucial parts— an impeller, check valves, discharge pipes— play essential roles in keeping your basement floor dry. For better understanding, we have a detailed guide on how sump pumps work.

· Duration

This appliance lasts from 7 to 10 years, but it wears out faster if it lacks proper maintenance. You have to follow certain tips to extend the pump lifespan and enjoy its service for a long time. You have to ensure that no debris is accumulated in the sump basin or discharge pipes; otherwise, the continuous flow of water will be obstructed. The check valve, float switch, and inlet screen also need regular inspection. Before installing, testing the pump will let you know of its current condition, and the examination of GFCI often tells you the reason for its sudden shutdown.

However, even after all the maintenance, the system fails at a certain point. It starts making a strange noise, and its operating cycle changes. When it starts going on and off randomly, you should know it is time to get a new one.

· Importance

Not all houses need a sump pump, but some must have one. If your home is located in a flood-prone area, a sump pump is a must. More importantly, if your basement was afflicted with flood once, you should not wait for the situation to repeat itself. The financial burden flood imposes on you is insufferable. Buy a sump pump and save your property.

Furthermore, it acts as a safeguard when you are not around and lets no water drop make the basement damp.

· Installment Price

You have to keep in mind that buying a new sump pump is more expensive than replacing an old one. For the latter, you won’t have to dig again or manage the power supplies. If the machine is too old for service, you can replace it with a small budget. The installment cost varies between $700 to $1500 depending on various factors like its type and size. Before buying, you must understand the differences between pedestal and submersible pumps as placing the former is cheaper than the latter.

The motor of the pedestal pump has to be placed above the basement floor; therefore, reducing the plumber’s work. For installing the submersible one, specific requirements have to be fulfilled.

· If It Fails?

If you are lucky enough, your product will die during a dry spell, leaving you enough time to buy and replace the pump with the new one. But if it stops when there is heavy rainfall, you have to prepare yourself to face the worst consequence. Nothing comes closer to dread than a house flood. Furniture will rot, important belongings might be deformed, the ground will get molds, leading to endless suffering until you clean, repair, or replace it.

So, always make sure the pump is in good shape if you do not want to be on the receiving end of the suffering buffet.

Sewage Ejector Pumps

The ejector pump has an entirely different function. It removes any hard solid and wastewater from the laundry or toilet, almost acting like garbage disposal from your place to the septic tank.

After knowing about the differences, you might get confused with the sewage grinder pumps. You must understand that all grinder pumps are ejector pumps but not vice versa. Sewage grinder pumps have the same function but have additional parts like grinder plates to let no debris stand a chance.

· Operation

Almost all its parts are similar to the sump pumps. It sits inside a sump pit and collects about 30 gallons of waste. Though it has no grinder blades, its impeller makes sure that the solid and liquid mix well to form a collective slurry. As the wastewater reaches a certain height, the machine activates and pushes the slurry into the sewer line.

The check valves between the outlet pipe’s junction and the sewer line prevent the backflow of the waste. Moreover, its vent pipe provides the escape road for sewage odor and gases.

· Duration

The average life expectancy of a commercial sewage pump is 5 to 15 years. However, it depends on the quality and usage and the way you maintain the sewage pumps. It is better to avoid flushing down baby diapers or feminine products. Also, do not use any chemical cleaners, ensure the float switch’s in the correct position, and examine the pipes if you want your sewage system to remain in tip-top shape.

· Importance

Not all houses need a sewage pump, but it becomes mandatory when the sewer lines are higher than the fixtures. The appliance has to pump the waste against the gravity up to the pipes above the basement. If you have a basement bathroom, you need to install it.

· Installment Price

The installment price varies according to the power usage, type, and obviously the brand. If you are not a professional, taking the help of a plumber would be a better idea. There are tasks like fitting new pipes, digging, and preparing the area- each would increase the plumber’s rate depending on the workload.

Moreover, the range varies vastly between $300 and $900 due to the pumps’ GPH capacity. If you can take proper care of the ejector pump, you can spend years after years without buying a new one.

· If It Fails?

A sudden breakdown of the machine means a return of tough times. If it fails to push up the sewage to the septic tank, waste materials will start accumulating and might lead to a sudden burst of the pipes. A pungent smell, the spread of bacteria, and the blockage of sewage disposal is, for all intents and purposes, a disturbing event.

Can I use a sewage pump as a sump pump?

Unfortunately, no. While there are a lot of similarities between the two, they are different from each other in many ways. They both have different functions. Their mechanism of operation and maintenance requirements are not the same.

Final Thoughts

People usually think that if they have sump pumps, a sewage ejector pump is not necessary. To tell you the truth, it doesn’t work that way. Neither can take the role of the other. We hope the sewage pump vs sump Pump article has put an end to all the confusion. So, what does your home need? So Ejector pumps or sump pumps?