What is a Grinder Pump? Basic Guide

Gone are the days when the sewerage system was a big mess, many innovative devices and technologies are introduced to transport all-over waste to the municipal sewers. One such is a grinder pump that is uniquely designed to carry waste against gravity-based sewage flow. You must want to know: What is a Grinder Pump? 

Let’s discuss deeper into the grinder pump’s basic information and its maintenance. In addition, go through the working mechanism so that you better decide to buy your home a one. 

What is a Grinder Pump?

A Crusher pump is a specialized wastewater management device that plays a central role in carrying sewage from homes and commercial buildings to sewer or septic systems. The pump is designed to receive waste, such as toilet paper, food scraps, debris, and human waste, to convert it into almost water-like slurry for the public sewerage system. 

Superior Pump 93015-U Cast Iron Tethered Float Switch Sewage Grinder Pump

How Does a Grinder Pump Work?

A Crusher pump comes with a pump from (1, 1.5, or 2 hp), a holding tank, and a grinding mechanism with rotating blades and impellers. The pump is encapsulated in a tank and is usually buried outdoors nearby the residence. 

Whenever you use water, wastewater from the home collects in the pump’s tank to a preset value and automatically activates the pump for cutting larger pieces of solid materials into smaller ones. Then the ground particles are transported to the public sewerage through the pressure discharge line. The pump runs for almost two minutes or as long as the holding tank has desired wastewater and turns off when it reaches the off-level preset value. 

Furthermore, a pump is equipped with pre-installed safety features such as sensors, floating switches, and alarm panels. These features are used to inform the grinder pump’s efficient working and malfunctioning by sensing the preset values and firing an audible tone or indicator in case of anything wrong. 

When is a Grinder Pump Necessary?

A grinder pump has significance to boost the effective transportation of solid waste to the treatment facilities. Wondering why or when it is necessary reflects three possibilities. 

1. Wastewater is Not Connected to Sewerage System

Construction of a house or a building involves connecting the plumbing system to the central sewerage. If it is not connected due to any unknown reason, a Crusherpump is used to do the job so that the wastewater does not back up. However, you must check for the connection by contacting the municipal community of your area. 

2. The locality is Far from the Main Sewer Line

There are situations when the locality is far from or goes parallel to the main sewer line. In that case, already buried piping’s or slopes are not enough to ensure the gravity flow of the sewage to the municipal system. You need a pump to transport waste at a fast pace without causing clogging in the internal plumbing. 

3. Plumbing is Located at a Lower Elevation than the Municipal System

The basic thumb rule is that the wastewater flows uphill to downhill and is collected in the sewerage system using the gravity flow. What if the plumbing locality is elevated below the level of the main sewer? You need a Crusher pump to pump the sewage using electrical power against gravity. 

Grinder Pump Maintenance

A Crusher pump is not without maintenance. Just like other electrical devices, following certain precautions are essential to increase the shelf life of the wastewater-carrying machine.

Practice Required Water Usage

The more water used in a household; the more water goes into the Crusher pump. You must think of ways to conserve water so that a pump works less hard and remain distanced from overheating or wear and tear. Also, you must pay attention to turning faucets every time when water is not used and repair frequent water leaks. 

What you Flush in Crusher Pump 

A Crusher pump must not be treated as a garbage disposal can to throw everything inside. Instead, let it workaholic only for human waste and for flushing safe materials, such as toilet paper. You must know that a pump pulverizes effectively only if it receives what it is designed for. Also, the things to avoid in the pump are important to prevent clogs or plumbing blockage. 

Things Avoid in the grinder pump

Protect the Crusher Pump from Excess Rainwater

A Crusher pump holds wastewater in a tank, treat it and send it to the public sewerage system. When rainwater enters inside, not only does the available capacity of wastewater decrease but also increases the pumping frequency. That is why, you must trick several ways to keep the pump protected from rainwater. 

Also, minimize using garbage disposal, for they use excess cold water for food grinding and go on adding solid waste into the tank to increase the pump usage. It negatively hits the pump’s longevity and working efficiency. 

Schedule Crusher Pump Maintenance

No matter how much a Crusher pump is in healthy working status, regular checks are mandatory. What you must do is schedule an appointment with the expert and ensure the machine’s life span. 

What is the Disadvantage of Crusher Pump?

The biggest disadvantage of using a pump is to decrease the working efficiency of the septic tank. A Crusher pump mainly contributes to turning solid waste into liquids whereas a septic tank forms layers to separate solids from liquids. With a pump, layering is not possible and that is why it is not recommended with septic systems. 

What is the Life Expectancy of a Crusher Pump?

Mostly grinder pumps last quite a long time from 7-8 years. However, if you pay attention to the proper maintenance and scheduled check and balance on the working of constituent parts, the lasting years serve you best for 10 years. 

Conclusion