How to Replace a Basement Sewage Pump

Unplug the pump electrical cord from the power supply.

Close the gate valve on the ejector pump discharge pipe. This prevents raw sewage from back flowing out of the discharge pipe.

Unscrew the nut on the pump side of the check valve with a pair of large pliers. Hold the check valve with an additional pair of pliers to prevent the check valve from turning.

Slide the check valve from the pump discharge pipe. Slide the check valve rubber sealing gasket and nut from the pump discharge pipe.

Unscrew the ejector pump vent pipe union with large pliers; hold the union body with an additional pair of pliers to prevent the union from turning. Pull the vent pipe from the pump pit lid. If the pump vent pipe is not equipped with a union or cannot be lifted from the pump pit lid, then the vent pipe requires cutting with a hacksaw.

Unscrew the pump pit lid bolts with an adjustable wrench and lift the pump pit lid from the pump pit. Slide the lid up and over the ejector pump discharge pipe and pump electrical cord.

Lift the sewage ejector pump from the pump pit.

Unscrew the discharge pipe from the pump discharge outlet with large pliers. Wipe the discharge pipe threads clean with a rag.

Wrap the discharge pipe threads with Teflon tape to ensure a water-tight seal. Wrap the tape to the threads counterclockwise to prevent the tape from backing off when threading the discharge pipe into the pump.

Screw the discharge pipe into the discharge outlet of the new pump; tighten the discharge pipe with large pliers.

Lower the ejector pump into the pump pit. Set the pump in the location of the previous pump to align the pump pit lid and piping.

Slide the pump pit lid over the discharge pipe and pump electrical cord. Screw the pump pit lid bolts into the pump pit lid and tighten with an adjustable wrench.

Insert the sewage pump pit vent piping into the pump pit lid; screw the vent pipe union nut onto the union body, tighten with pliers. If the vent piping has been cut, connect the piping with a rubber Fernco coupling; tighten the band clamps with a screwdriver.

Slide the check valve nut and rubber-sealing gasket onto the pump discharge pipe. Slide the check valve onto the pump discharge pipe. Screw the nut onto the check valve threads and tighten the nut with pliers while holding the check valve with additional pliers to prevent the it from turning.

Plug the ejector pump electrical cord into the electrical supply outlet.

Turn on the fixtures that feed the pump pit to fill the pit with water. Allow the pump to run several pumping cycles; check the pump piping for leaks.