Grinder pump
This article is written like a manual or guide. (June 2021) |
A grinder pump (also called a macerator pump) is a
Grinder pumps can be installed in the basement or in the yard. If installed in the yard, the holding tank must be buried deep enough that the pump and sewage pipes are below the frost line.
A grinder pump is different from a sump pump or effluent pump. There are two types of grinder pumps, semi-positive displacement (SPD) and centrifugal.
Components
The grinder pump “station” consists of the pump, a tank, and an alarm panel. A pump for household use is usually 1 hp, 1.5 hp or 2 hp. A cutting mechanism macerates waste and grinds items that are not normally found in sewage, but may get flushed down the toilet. The pump has a level sensor either built into the pump, called “sensing bells,” or attached externally to the pump, typically a float switch. (The level sensing devices vary among grinder pump manufacturers.) If the pump malfunctions and the waste level in the holding tank rises above a certain level, the alarm panel should alert the homeowner that the pump is experiencing problems. The alarm panel should have both a buzzer and an indicator light.
The holding tank, likely constructed of fiberglass, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or fiberglass-reinforced polyester (FRP), has an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The pipes from the home are connected to the inlet; the pipe that leads to the sewer main is connected to the discharge. Often, more than one home or restroom (in a park, for example) can be connected to one grinder pump station. In this case, more than one inlet can be installed. It is a good idea to consult the manufacturer or factory representative before purchasing a grinder pump station to ensure that more than one inlet hole can be drilled.
The tank has a lid made from heavy-duty plastic or metal that is bolted and/or padlocked shut to prevent entry by unauthorized persons.
Maintenance
Grinder pumps should not require preventive maintenance. However, grinder pumps that use floats to sense the level in the holding tank are prone to grease buildup that may turn the pump on unnecessarily, or not turn on the pump at all, causing the tank to fill up and sewage to possibly back up into the home or yard. To prevent this, grinder pumps that use float switches to sense the level in the tank are often hosed down to remove the grease from the floats.
Homeowners are never free to dump everything down their drains, even if their home has a grinder pump. Feminine hygiene products,
In large sewage pump stations, clogging problems are often avoided by installing a
See also
- Chopper pump
- Sewage pumping
- Sewer system
References
- ^ David Whisenant (31 May 2013). "So called "flushable" wipes causing big problems for local neigh - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC". wbtv.com.
- ^ JOHN SULLIVAN. "Bathroom wipes a headache for sewer plants". recordonline.com.
- ^ "Are Flushable Wipes Flushable?". consumerreports.org.