[gec5741]

Hello there,

I was in my basement yesterday and noticed a slight sewer smell. It took me a little bit to figure out where it was coming from. In my utility room I have a sealed ejector pit which also has a drain next to it where the furnace/AC drains to. it seems the smell is coming from this area. The pit has a sealed lid with 2 pipes coming out of it. The pipe that carries the water seams to be leaking out of a seal where 2 pipes connect. Also water seems to be coming up and around the area where the pipe comes out of the pit and collecting around the top of the pit. I'm wondering if the pump stopped working? I am guessing I need to take the lid off the pit to really see what's going on. I've never had to do this before. Do I just take off the bolts and remove the lid? Also I'm a little concerned about the water leaking down the pipe though. Would water still be sitting in the pipe where there would be water? It's not dripping down but I've cleaned it up and wiped it dry and just a little water returns around the seal.

I've attached a photo so you can see. I've cleaned up that pipe up but there is still a bit of water sitting in the seal and around the lid of the pit. I'm no plumber and have never dealt with my pit before. I am handy however and learn quick. But wanted to get some advice first before taking off the lid. I'm hoping it comes off easy. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

 

[joed]

The fitting is definitely leaking. The water on top of the lid could be from the leak.
the leak needs to be fixed. Before you take it apart try to determine if the pipe is full of stuff. You don't want to be cutting into a pipe full of stuff without being prepared to catch it in something or finding a way to drain it first.

If the pit is actually full then there could be an issue with the pump. The drain line could be clogged.

 

[gec5741]

Yea I was thinking the same thing about the line maybe being clogged and needing to plan to catch anything just in case. I'm thinking I need to take the lid off and see what it looks like in the pit. I need to try and determine if the pump is working for one. Very possible that the pipe is just clogged and that would explain why the water has been leaking as bad as it has and cause the pit to fill up. Either way I'll probably need to replace that section of pipe and fix that leak. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... The leakin' fittin' appears to be a union, which will need to be taken apart to remove the cover,....
Probably another one on the other line,....

The leak might be fixable by just tightenin' the union,....

 

[gec5741]

I tried turning it by hand but it wouldn't budge. I may have to use some sort of wrench to try and see if that's all it needs. But I do still need to figure out if the pump is dead or I have a clog.

 

[gec5741]

But here's what I'm not sure about. From what I've heard the cover is gas sealed and I am not suppose to remove it myself and I'll have to have someone come and take care of that. Is that true? I also don't really know what water goes into that pit? I don't think my actual toilets do? I have a sump pump pit with pump in another location that handles drainage in my basement and that's easy to work with but this thing I'm not to sure about.

 

[joed]

That does look like a sewage pit. So any sinks, showers or toilets in the basement probably drain into it.
There is no law against you opening it. You just need to be sure to seal it again so you don't get sewer gasses in the house.

 

[Ghostmaker]

If you have a basement bath I would also suggest using chlorine mixed in water to clean with and make sure you wash your hands very good.

 

[gec5741]

There is one bathroom in the basement that was put in close to a year ago. The shower does not get used but the toilet does. Mostly number 1 but it has been used a few times for number 2. I had the rough in done when the house was built almost 10 years ago and just got around to finishing it. I had a plumber in though to do the hookup and run the pipes so I'm not really sure. Does look and smell gross though.

Now back to the lid. Does "sealing" it just involve bolting it back down?

 

[Ghostmaker]

Yes if your rubber seal still looks good and is not ripped.