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A sewage ejector pump is necessary if you have any plumbing fixtures, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or sink, located below the level of your home's main sewer line. Standard plumbing relies on gravity to drain wastewater and solid waste into the municipal sewer system or a septic tank. For fixtures below this level, like those in a basement, gravity cannot move the waste upward. The ejector pump provides the force needed to pump the sewage up to the main line. Without one, wastewater from below-ground fixtures would back up, potentially causing a sewage overflow and flooding. If all of your plumbing is on the main floor or higher, gravity is sufficient and an ejector pump is not needed.

While flooding is always cause for alarm, certain situations are considered more urgent than others. If there is water pooling anywhere in your basement, it’s time to call a local emergency plumber ASAP. Standing water in your basement could be from a plumbing leak or from cracks in your foundation—either situation can go from minor to major very quickly. On average, the cost to hire an emergency plumber ranges from $100 and $500, depending on the scope of the repair and when you call them—calling an emergency plumber on the weekend or on a holiday will cause the rate to jump.

The cost to hire a plumber ranges from $175 to $450 for a simple job, with the average cost per hour ranging from $45 to $200. Depending on the job, some plumbers charge a flat rate or service fee of $300 on average. Expect to pay more for complex jobs and emergency plumbing repairs, but minor adjustments, diagnostics, and small repairs will cost less. 

Many plumbers offer pressure checks as a part of routine inspections, so if you’re already scheduling a plumbing service for another issue, it’s worth asking them to test your water pressure while they’re there.

Your dishwasher drains through a hose that attaches to the plumbing below your sink or snakes out the back of your machine. In most cases, you can access one side of the hose from below your sink, as it usually ties into the same drainline that your sink uses. Otherwise, you may need to pull the dishwasher out of the counter to access it.