If you have a bathroom, laundry, or wet bar in a basement — below the level of your main sewer line — an ejector pump is what lifts that wastewater up and out to the sewer. When it fails, that basement fixture backs up or stops draining. Ludwig Family Plumbing repairs and installs ejector and grinder pumps across Lake in the Hills and McHenry County.
An ejector pump is different from a sump pump: a sump pump moves clean groundwater, while an ejector pump handles sewage and needs a sealed, properly vented basin. We service both and know the difference matters.
Signs You Need Ejector Pump Repair & Install
- A basement toilet, shower, or sink that won't drain
- Gurgling or sewage smell from a basement fixture
- The pump running constantly or not at all
- Alarm sounding on the ejector basin
- Backups only from below-grade fixtures
Ejector vs. sump pump — the difference
People mix these up constantly, and it matters. A sump pump sits in a pit collecting groundwater and pumps it away from the foundation. An ejector (or grinder) pump sits in a sealed basin, handles sewage and wastewater from below-grade fixtures, and pumps it up to the main sewer. An ejector needs a gas-tight lid and proper venting; a sump does not. Using or servicing the wrong one causes odors and failures.
Repair and replacement
We diagnose float switches, check valves, motors, and the basin seal, and tell you whether a repair or a replacement is the smarter spend. On installs, we set a correctly sized pump, seal and vent the basin to code, and test the full cycle so your below-grade fixtures drain reliably.
What affects the price
Cost depends on the specific setup:
- Repair (float, check valve, motor) vs. full pump replacement
- Ejector vs. higher-capacity grinder pump
- Basin, seal, and venting condition
- Access and basin location
Our Ejector Pump Repair & Install Process
Every job follows the same clear path — so you know what happens next and there are no surprises along the way.
- 1
Confirm it's the ejector
Basement fixture backing up while upstairs drains fine points to the ejector — we verify before opening the basin.
- 2
Inspect pump, float, and seal
We check the pump, float switch, check valve, and the gas-tight basin seal and vent that keep sewer odor out.
- 3
Repair or right-size a replacement
We tell you honestly whether a part fixes it or a new ejector or grinder pump is the better spend.
- 4
Seal and vent to code
On a replacement we set a correctly sized pump and re-seal and vent the basin so it stays gas-tight.
- 5
Cycle-test the system
We run the full cycle and confirm your below-grade fixtures drain reliably and odor-free.
Why McHenry County Homeowners Choose Ludwig
An ejector pump isn't a sump pump, and knowing the difference is why your basement bathroom drains reliably and odor-free.
Family-Owned & Local
A family name you can trust, serving McHenry County since 2016. You reach us, not a call center.
24/7 Emergency Service
Burst pipe or backup at 2 a.m.? We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Fully licensed Illinois plumbers — your home and your investment are protected.
68 Five-Star Reviews
Neighbors across McHenry County rate us 4.9 stars for honest, quality work.
Ejector Pump Repair & Install Across McHenry County & Beyond
We service basement ejector and grinder pumps from Lake in the Hills and Huntley to McHenry and the finished-basement homes across the county.
Based in Lake in the Hills, we cover the whole county and the surrounding Fox Valley. Find your town on our service-areas page, or start with Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Cary, Huntley.
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Ejector Pump Repair & Install FAQs
A sump pump moves clean groundwater away from your foundation. An ejector pump moves sewage and wastewater from below-grade fixtures up to the main sewer, and it requires a sealed, vented basin. They are not interchangeable.
That points to the ejector pump or its basin, since only the below-grade fixtures rely on it to lift waste to the sewer. Upstairs fixtures drain by gravity, so they're unaffected. We'll check the pump, float, and check valve.
Typically 7–10 years, similar to a sump pump, though heavy use or debris can shorten that. If yours is aging and you rely on a basement bathroom, planning ahead beats an emergency backup.
A failing basin seal or vent on an ejector system is a common cause. Because the basin holds sewage, it must be gas-tight and properly vented — we can find and fix the source of the odor.
If it's the only way your basement bathroom or laundry drains, treat it as urgent — those fixtures can't drain until it's fixed, and a failing basin seal can leak sewer gas. We service ejector and grinder pumps promptly across the county.