▪ If you are using your municipality's sewage system, as opposed to a septic tank, then you may need a sewage ejector pump in your basement, if your basement sits low in the ground. You will need a sewage ejector pump if it is an uphill climb from the basement to access the sewage line that leads to the street. The pump will transmit the sewage up to the gravity line so that it will drain to the street.

▪ The pump and can for the sewage ejector pump need to be installed into the ground before the basement slab is poured. The can is shaped like a garbage can, but a little smaller. It is important that when the basement slab is being poured that there are forms around the can itself. Concrete forms are simply pieces of wood that are placed to hold back the concrete. Ask the basement slab contractor to put up concrete forms around the sewage ejector pump so that when the concrete cures, you will have an attractive square, in which the can fits.

▪ If the contractor neglects to do this, you will have to get him or someone else to use a concrete saw to cut the square around the unit. This is a big hassle and risks damaging the pump, so it is best to have the concrete contractor do it right the first time. Even if the flatwork contractor (basement slab contractor) promises you that he will take care of it, you should still be on the jobsite to ensure that the forms are up.

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University