How do grinder pumps work?
A typical grinder pump setup consists of the pump, a sewage basin, and an alarm. The sewage basin is buried either somewhere on the homeowner’s property or in the home’s basement, and the grinder pump is placed inside. When water is used in the house, the wastewater is drained into the basin. Once the wastewater reaches a certain level, the grinder pump turns on, grinds up the waste, and pumps it into the sewer system.
Does my home need a grinder pump?
Not every home requires a grinder pump. Typically, wastewater will flow downhill through the sewer system. In those cases, a grinder pump is not required because the force of gravity is enough to carry the water. Grinder pumps are necessary when a home or business is at a lower elevation than the sewer line. The force of the grinder pump helps push the wastewater up to the sewer system in the absence of gravity.
How do I maintain a grinder pump?
In general, grinder pumps do not require routine maintenance. Occasionally, grinder pumps that use floats will experience grease buildup that may affect their operation, which can be hosed off to remove the grease and prevent issues. The most important thing that you can do to maintain a grinder pump is be mindful of what you flush and pour down the drain. Items such as grease, sanitary wipes, cat litter, paint, oil, diapers, rubber gloves, plastic objects, degreasing solvents, etc. should never be flushed our poured down the drain, as they can cause major damage to your sewage system.