If you have a garbage disposal in your home, think of a grinder pump as a much larger version that is tasked with churning up all of the wastewater produced by your shower, toilet, washing machine, and other appliances attached to your plumbing system. These pumps are located wherever wastewater drains—either within the house in the basement or other low point, or outside the house in the yard.
These submersible sewage pumps grind up the solids within wastewater into a sludge so it can pass through sewage service lines. They are often used when a building’s service line exits at a lower elevation than the public sewer main line. Variations include grinder pumps with different motor and switch types, along with different phases, voltage, dimensions, and housing materials.
Typically, wastewater flows into a tank and when the water exceeds a pre-set level, the grinder automatically turns on and runs for a few minutes, grinding up the waste and then pumping it out of the tank to the on-site sewer line and then out to the main line. The pumps are electronic and usually are attached to a control panel. They are also the responsibility of the property owner, as most municipalities only handle sewer service beyond the property line.
How to Maintain
While grinder pumps can handle most any wastewater, there are some chemicals that can damage the pumps themselves, as well as cause unfortunate back-ups or even result in safety issues. Plumbing experts advise checking the label on any chemicals you pour into a toilet or sink, and there is a long list of other items you should never dump down your drains, including grease, kitty litter, feminine products, fuel products, and plastic objects.
The building or property owner is also responsible for maintaining the ground around the basin surrounding a grinder pump—the area within five feet of the basin should have ground sloped enough to avoid any rainwater runoffs entering the equipment through the vent or lid. Also, the grinder’s vent should be kept free of any blockage, as it can cause the pumps to stop working.
Water from downspouts or sump pumps can also tax grinder systems, so they should never be connected to sewer lines.
If your grinder pump isn’t used for several days because you are out of town, it can be cleaned by running the kitchen or bathroom faucet for 10 minutes or so until the grinder is triggered and then turning the faucet off. This will empty any wastewater in the tank and replace it with clean water.
It is advisable to always leave the power to the pump on, as this keeps the heating element inside working and eliminates any condensation build-ups or freezing of vital parts that can cause the grinder to stop working.
Troubleshooting
If your grinder pump is not working, an alarm is triggered and most models feature a red light and an audible beeping noise. A failure can cause an overflow of unpleasant wastewater in your backyard, basement, or even back up into home toilets and sinks. If your grinder pump fails, chances are it is due to a handful of issues.
Electrical outage – Make sure the outlet powering the pump is getting electricity. Perform a test by plugging in a lamp or another device—if it works then the grinder pump is the issue. If the power is not working, check to see if a fuse has tripped.
Clogged – If someone flushed a foreign object down a drain or toilet, it could cause the grinder to become clogged. This is a big issue because it can cause the equipment to heat up by working harder than it needs to, eventually burning out the motor. In most cases, a clogged pump means it must be replaced with a brand new one.
Float Switch – Inserting a coat hanger into the tank is a good way to try to hook the inside switch and get it to re-start. If this doesn’t work, you may need to purchase an inexpensive piggyback switch. If it does restart, the float is probably not working as it should. Try cleaning any debris or grime off the float. If that doesn’t work purchase a new float.
Frozen – If your pumps are below ground and under the frost level but not buried deep enough, the wastewater inside the pump can freeze and cause the whole system to stop working. The best solution is to dig up the tank and pump and bury them deeper underground.
Luckily, most modern grinder pumps are designed to handle a good amount of wear and tear and last a long time. Usually, after 20 years or so a system’s plastic lines have become cracked and brittle and the valves are worn down, meaning it is time to purchase a replacement.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.