Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Ejector Pump Repair and Replacement in Highland Park, IL
A basement bathroom, laundry or wet bar sits below your main sewer line, so an ejector pump lifts the wastewater up to it. When the pump fails, sewage backs up fast. We repair and replace ejector pumps for homeowners across Highland Park and the North Shore, 24/7.
The Basics
What Does an Ejector Pump Do?
An ejector pump moves wastewater from fixtures below the main sewer line, like a basement bathroom or laundry room, up to the level where gravity can carry it to the sewer. It sits in a sealed basin, usually in the basement floor. When the wastewater reaches a set level, a float triggers the pump and it pushes everything up and out. It's often confused with a sump pump, which removes groundwater, not wastewater.
Signs Your Ejector Pump Is Failing
Ejector pump problems tend to start small. Catch them before the basin overflows:
Sewage Smell in the Basement
A sealed basin shouldn't smell. An odor points to a failed seal, a vent problem or a basin that isn't emptying.
Basement Fixtures Draining Slowly or Backing Up
If the basement toilet, shower or laundry backs up while upstairs drains work fine, the ejector pump is the first suspect.
The Alarm Is Going Off
Many basins have a high-water alarm. If it's sounding, stop using basement fixtures and call.
Constant Running or Loud Noises
A pump that runs nonstop or grinds is working against a stuck float, a failed check valve or a worn motor.
Ejector Pumps in Highland Park Homes
Ejector pumps show up wherever a home has plumbing below the main sewer line, like a basement bathroom, laundry or wet bar.
Basement Bathrooms Added Later
Nearly half of Highland Park homes were built before 1960. If a basement bathroom or laundry was added in a later remodel, it likely relies on an ejector pump that may now be reaching its age.
Part of Every Overhead Sewer System
An overhead sewer system reroutes basement drains into a pit, and an ejector pump lifts that wastewater above flood level. If you have an overhead system, your ejector pump is what keeps it working.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
An ejector pump failure is a sewage problem, so we treat it like one.
1. We Pick Up 24/7
Our phone line is open nights, weekends and holidays. Stop using basement fixtures and call.
2. Repair or Replace, Honestly
A stuck float or a failed check valve is a repair. A burned-out motor in an older pump is a replacement. We'll tell you which one you need.
3. Upfront Pricing
You get a flat rate before any work begins.
Customer Stories
Ejector Pump Reviews
5.0 stars from 64 Google reviews for our Highland Park office.
★★★★★
"Worked with Greg and Josh to do an emergency replacement of my ejector pit and they were very kind to make sure my cats didn't get out of the apartment while they worked. I actually do say this as someone who has called J Blanton a few times, but they're the plumbers I call to fix other plumbers' mistakes."
★★★★★
"I had water backing up in the basement on a Sunday. I called them and he came an hour later. John figured out the problem quickly-ejector pump, and what to do if it happens again. I did get an estimate for a new one if it needs replacing."
★★★★★
"Greg was great! He explained the work clearly, efficiently finished the work, was always very polite."
Got Questions?
Ejector Pump Questions From Highland Park Homeowners
A sump pump removes groundwater. An ejector pump moves wastewater from basement fixtures to the sewer.
A sump pump removes groundwater from a pit and pumps it outside. An ejector pump moves wastewater from basement fixtures, like a toilet or laundry, up to the main sewer line. They look similar but they're not interchangeable.
Often 7 to 10 years or more, depending on use. Older or noisy pumps are worth checking.
Many ejector pumps last somewhere between 7 and 10 years or more, depending on use and what goes down the basement drains. If yours is older, noisy or running more than it used to, it's worth having it checked before it fails.
Stop using basement fixtures, don't open the basin, and call us.
Stop using every fixture that drains to the basin: basement toilet, shower, sink and washer. Don't open the sealed basin. Then call us. We'll find out why the pump isn't keeping up and fix it.
It depends on the pump, basin and access. You get a flat price before we start.
It depends on the pump, the basin, the check valve and venting, and how easy the basin is to reach. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club
Most plumbing problems start small. The No Drip Club brings a J. Blanton plumber to your home for regular maintenance, so small issues get caught before they turn into big repairs.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Highland Park
Learn More
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain and snowmelt.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.
Gas Lines & Fireplaces
Gas line repair, leak detection and gas fireplace service.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Serving the North Shore, 24/7 Phone
Basement Fixtures Backing Up? Call Us.
Our Highland Park office is at 1904 Green Bay Rd B, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Glencoe and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Highland Park Office
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