i have a question regarding the installation of a sump pump that i had done.

the washing machine was below the sewer line and emptying out into the backyard somewhere. we had a plumber put in a sump pump so it would empty into the sewer line.

he connected it up to the line from the kitchen sink/dishwasher so now whenever the kitchen sink empties, the pump operates.

a concerned relative says this is crazy and that the pump will get clogged with the stuff from the sink. he thinks i should have the plumber come back.

i thought the reason for the set up was to link up the sump pump with the vent but the relative in question says that can't be so since the sink is emptying into the pump.

does anybody have any thoughts on this? i'd like to know a little bit about what i'm talking about before calling the plumber.

Answer:

It sounds as if you need a check valve in the pump line so the sink water can't drain into the sump through the pump. Or, the sewer line can't handle all the volume and is backing up high enough to drain back to the sump through the sump pump in the sump pump sump..... <g>

The pump line to sewer line connection should be plumbed so the water goes 'down' into the line as opposed to on the side or into the bottom. If it can't/isn't then the check valve would be needed to stop the draining into the sump, especially if the connection is on the bottom of a horizontal sewer line. If it's on the side of the line there shouldn't be sink water draining into the sump if the sewer line is clear and can handle the flow from the sink.

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