Gravity drainage can be a problem for basement bathrooms, low-lying homes, and homes below the main sewage line. In these cases a sewage grinder pump system can be used to help transfer the waste water to the sewer, while lowering the potential for particulates to cause clogs.

But before installation, homeowners need to know more than just the pump itself. Flow requirements, distance of pumping, elevation, properties of waste water, maintenance, electrical needs and local needs may all affect the appropriateness of a given system.

Understand Why a Grinder Pump May Be Needed

A grinder pump gathers wastewater and employs revolving blades to break sediments into smaller pieces before pumping the wastewater to the sewer. This may be useful where waste water has to be pumped uphill or where a building is below the available sewer connection.

So the first question for a homeowner is not just which pump to buy. It is if the elevation of the property, the architecture of the plumbing and the point of connection genuinely require a pumping solution.

Consider the Property's Elevation

Most of the time, wastewater flows through a home’s drainage pipes by gravity. Sometimes gravity does not have enough lift if the piping is below the sewer connection.

A grinder pump can do that, but its capacity must be right for the vertical lift and other circumstances along the discharge path. Choosing a pump without estimating the required head might lead to poor performance or undue effort.

Calculate Wastewater Flow Before Selecting Equipment

Pump selection should be based on the real system needs and not on choosing a pump just because it has a higher horsepower rating.

Peak wastewater flow may be more relevant than typical daily usage. The flows generated by a household are quite diverse depending on the number of bathrooms, appliances and people connected to the system.

Check Flow, Head, and Discharge Requirements

Before selecting a sewage grinder pump system, homeowners should have the following information available:

  • Expected peak wastewater flow
  • Vertical lift from the pump to the discharge point
  • Horizontal discharge distance
  • Pipe size and configuration
  • Number of fixtures connected
  • Available electrical service
  • Local sewer connection requirements

Reference material states that grinder pump selection should be based on maximum flow and not average flow. It also stresses the necessity of head height in moving wastewater uphill.

Know What Goes Into the Wastewater

Grinder pumps are built to accommodate solids that may otherwise create obstructions. But it doesn’t imply homeowners should use the system as a garbage disposal device.

Wipes, paper goods, rags and other improper materials can still cause issues in wastewater systems. While grinder pumps may be able to reduce the size of some solids, it is still crucial to keep undesirable materials out of the pipework.

Avoid Treating the Pump Like a Garbage Disposal

You should not purposefully put kitchen oil, excess food waste, chemicals or other improper substances into the wastewater system.

Homeowners should follow the recommendations of their sewer or wastewater provider on what can safely go into the plumbing rather than relying on grinding equipment to make up for bad disposal habits.

Compare Grinder Pumps With Other Pumping Options

A grinder pump isn’t the ideal fit for every property. varied pumping technologies have been developed for varied flow rates, solids properties, layouts and operation situations.

Industrial sewage pumps can be made for increased flow or special solids handling needs, for larger or more demanding installations. Because residential systems have variable sizing and operating demands, equipment should be selected around the particular application.

When a Wastewater Screw Pump May Be Considered

A wastewater screw pump works differently from a conventional grinder pump. Open screw pumps ( Archimedes screw pumps ) are similar but have a screw which turns instead of an impeller. They can move a lot of wastewater. In an update recently from the reference manufacturer, these pumps are described as low speed pumps without an impeller which may address some of the clogging and wear concerns.

This doesn’t make screw pumps a direct substitute for a regular residential grinder pump. They can vary considerably in terms of installation needs and scale. These are seen more typically in larger wastewater facilities and lift station applications.

Think About Maintenance Before Installation

All pumping systems require some maintenance. Homeowners should understand what components might require inspection, cleaning, replacement or service before they sign on for an installation.

The complete system is composed of the motor of the pump, cutters, controls, basin, valves and discharge pipes.

Ask About Service Access

If the equipment is hard to access, routine maintenance can be more challenging. Find out how the pump is removed, where service staff will need access and whether replacement parts are easily available.

And it's good to know what happens when the power goes out or a pump fails. A well built system should consider circumstances where wastewater continues to enter the property with no pumping equipment available.

Consider the Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is merely part of the investment. Installation, electrical work, excavation, piping, controls, maintenance, replacement parts and eventual equipment replacement can all affect costs.

A correctly sized system can also assist prevent unnecessary repairs from running a pump outside its design parameters.

A Commercial sewage grinder Pump system for commercial properties may require equipment that is somewhat different from a domestic installation. Increased flows, additional fixtures and varied waste types can have a large impact on design requirements.

FAQs

Does every home below a sewer line need a grinder pump?

Not necessarily. The right solution depends on the elevation of the property, the plumbing configuration, the sewer connection, the required pumping head and municipal requirements.

Can a grinder pump prevent all sewer clogs?

No. Some solids can be reduced in size by grinding machinery but improper materials can cause issues. Good disposal methods are still crucial.

How often does a grinder pump need maintenance?

There is no single timetable. The maintenance requirements depend on equipment, usage, wastewater characteristics and manufacturer’s recommendations. Homeowners should be aware of these regulations before installation.

Conclusion

There is more to a sewage grinder pump system installation than just choosing a pump with enough horsepower. Consider peak flow, pumping distance, elevation, wastewater characteristics, electrical requirements, maintenance access and local legislation. A comparison of grinder pumps to other technologies such as industrial sewage pumps can also help to determine which strategy will work for a given location.  

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