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Article Title: Grinder Pumps - What They Are And How They Work
Author: Wes Hamilton
Category: Home Improvement, Technology
Word Count: 676
Keywords: plumber,plumbing,pex,remodeling,home
improvement,toilet,faucet,fixture,sink,tub,grinder pump
Author's Email Address: [email protected]
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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A grinder pump is a waste management device. Waste from water-using household
appliances (toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, etc.) flows through the home's
pipes into the grinder pump's holding tank. Once the waste inside the tank
reaches a certain level, the pump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine
slurry, and pump it to the central sewer system.
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.
There are two types of grinder pumps, semi-positive displacement (SPD) and
centrifugal.
Contents
* 1 Components
* 2 Maintenance
* 3 Service and Repair
* 4 External links
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, called
"floats." (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 floats are often hosed down to
remove the grease from the floats.
Homeowners are not usually limited by what they can or can not pour down their
drains because their home has a grinder pump. Sanitary napkins, diapers, kitty
litter, paint, oil (both motor oil and cooking oils), etc. should not be
flushed or poured down any drain, whether the home is connected to a gravity
sewer system, septic tank, grinder pump or cesspool.
A questionable item is "disposable wipes" that are made by cleaning companies
for personal use, cleaning toilets, etc. Some wipe companies say "flush one at
a time," some say "not for pump systems," some say "safe for sewers."
Check with the grinder pump manufacturer for their recommendation. Even though
a wipe company says their product can be flushed, chances are, they don't have
a grinder pump. The wipes, if they don't dissolve in water or don't dissolve
quickly, can collect in the basin. They will likely ball up in the tank, and
then a massive "wipe ball" will get into the pump and jam it.
Service and Repair
Self-repair is not recommended. Contact the sewer district or the grinder pump
manufacturer, who should refer you to an authorized service dealer, for repair.
If calling a plumber, ask if they have been trained to repair the specific
grinder pump in question. Otherwise, you may end up paying for unnecessary
repairs or even a complete replacement.
Wes Hamilton is the owner of PLUMB PRO, INC a full service plumbing company in
Alabama. Visit our website for more Free Information and PICTURES. Visit
http://www.plumbpro.net/ and http://www.plumbproinc.com/
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