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Basement toilets don’t always need a pump. However, it is the most common setup because plumbing systems use gravity to move waste away from the home. Basement toilets often sit below the home’s main sewage system, and installing a sewage ejector pump pushes the wastewater and sewage up to the main sewer line. Alternatively, you can use an upflush or macerator toilet that breaks down the waste and pushes it straight to the main sewer line rather than via a sewer line from the bathroom.

The regulations around whether drain pipe installers need to hold licenses or certifications differ based on where you live and the type of drain pipe installed. Municipalities have varying rules and regulations about who can and can’t perform plumbing work. However, we recommend hiring a certified plumber to install or modify your drain lines. Licensed plumbers will perform a high-quality, professional installation, which translates to a lower risk of clogs and leaks in the future. Use Angi’s state licensing tool to confirm the license status of your potential plumber before hiring them to install your drain pipe.

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 move wastewater and solid waste to the municipal sewer or septic tank. However, for fixtures located below grade (e.g., in a basement), gravity is not sufficient.

The purpose of a sewage ejector pump is to actively pump this wastewater and solid waste upward into the main sewer line. Without an ejector pump in this situation, wastewater would have no way to exit and would eventually back up, causing a sewage overflow or flooding in your basement. If all of your home's plumbing is on the main floor or higher, gravity can handle the drainage, and an ejector pump is not needed.

Since basements are prone to water and moisture issues and the resulting problems can be expensive to repair and potentially damaging to your home, basement waterproofing is almost always worthwhile. Even for homes that haven’t experienced water infiltration, waterproofing the basement is insurance against facing expensive repair bills in the future. All basements will leak at some point, so fixing drainage issues and taking steps to prevent moisture and water infiltration is wise.