How to Replace Sewage Ejector Pumps With Rusted Bolts

Pull the old sewage ejector pump's electrical plug from its wall receptacle. The pump usually uses a 120-volt GFCI-protected wall receptacle as a power source.

Cover the floor surrounding the sewage ejector pump's basin with a plastic sheeting. Set an empty 5-gallon bucket on the plastic sheeting. Put on rubber gloves.

Lift the pump basin's lid, using the lid's handle for leverage, and place the lid on the plastic sheeting. The lid prevents the basin's odors from escaping.

Place an adjustable wrench on the union fitting attached to the sewage ejector pump's discharge pipe. The union fitting connects the pipe that attaches to the pump's discharge fitting with the pipe that leads to the building's sewer system.

Slip a second adjustable wrench over the union fitting's locking nut. Hold the union fitting's body still, using its wrench for leverage, and turn the nut counterclockwise with the second wrench.

Grip the discharge pipe with one gloved hand. Rotate the pump, using the discharge pipe for leverage, until the discharge pipe's union fitting clears the nut on the building's sewer pipe union fitting.

Lift the old sewage ejector pump from the basin. Set the pump in the 5-gallon bucket. Carry the 5-gallon bucket containing the old pump outside. Rinse the waste from the pump's discharge fitting with water from a garden hose.

Set the base of the old pump on a solid surface. Grip one of the rusted bolts with curved-jaw locking pliers, keeping the hinged jaw facing right. Twist the rusted bolt counterclockwise, using the locking pliers for leverage. If the locking pliers start to strip the rusted bolt, remove and tighten the pliers. Twisting the locking pliers' thumb screw clockwise tightens the pliers. Remove all the rusted bolts, using the same method used on the first rusted bolt.

Slide the discharge pipe out of the old pump's discharge fitting. Clean the discharge pipe with water from the garden hose.

Slip the discharge pipe into the new sewage ejector pump's discharge fitting. Align the fitting's bolt holes with the threaded holes surrounding the pump housing's discharge port. The discharge port, which is the 1 1/2- or 2-inch-wide hole near the bottom of the pump housing, has two to four threaded bolt holes surrounding its perimeter.

Place a manufacturer-supplied bolt into each discharge fitting bolt hole. Hand tighten each bolt. Place the correct size wrench on one bolt. Hold the pump housing still with one hand and turn the bolt clockwise one full turn. Tighten each bolt, using the same method.

Set the new sewage ejector pump into the pump's basin. Lay the pump's electrical cord on the floor next to the pump's basin. Do not push the cord's plug into the electrical receptacle.

Align the union fitting on the discharge pipe with the building's sewer pipe. Hand tighten the union nut. Place one adjustable wrench on the discharge pipe's union fitting. Slip the second adjustable wrench over the union nut. Hold the union fitting still, using its wrench for leverage, and turn the nut one full turn clockwise with its adjustable wrench.

Set the basin's lid in place. Push the plug on the pump's electrical cord into its electrical receptacle.