Grinder Pump FAQs
If you’ve just moved into a home with a grinder pump, it’s important that you understand its function and how it operates. Residential grinder pump equipment in Camden County, MO is used to help grind up solid substances in your home wastewater, then pump it to the public sewer system.
Read on to learn some of the most commonly asked questions regarding home grinder pumps.
What is a grinder pump, and why would a home need one?
A grinder pump helps propel wastewater from a holding tank into a public sewer system, which can sometimes be difficult if the home’s elevation is lower than the sewer line. The wastewater holding tank is placed at the lowest location in or around the home, then the grinder pump moves the waste into the sewer line.
Once the wastewater in the tank reaches a certain level, the grinder pump automatically turns on and starts grinding solid waste into a paste. This process usually takes one to two minutes, and is powered by electricity on your property.
Since the grinder pump is usually installed on your property, that means caring for it is your sole responsibility—the city or county do not perform repairs on private property grinder pumps.
How do you maintain a grinder pump?
Always make sure that your pump and tank are not surrounded by rainwater or other pooling water sources. To maintain your grinder pump, you should avoid putting certain substances down the drain (which is covered in detail in the following section), and follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for grinder pump maintenance. If you’re not sure how to perform the maintenance tasks, or you don’t have access to the owner’s manual, call a company like Enviro-Line Co., Inc. for assistance.
What should you avoid putting down your drains?
Your grinder pump is kind of like a garbage disposal for wastewater, which means you need to avoid putting certain items down the drain, just like you would with a garbage disposal. Always check the labels on your detergents, shampoos and other cleaners that end up going down the drain to see if there are hazards associated with them.
Generally, anything that might cause a blockage should be avoided. Food scraps, cooking oil and grease, seafood shells, solvents and chemicals, paint, cat litter and other large objects must be avoided. If the pump can’t break them down properly, the sewer lines will become blocked, necessitating costly repairs.
What should you do when you go on vacation?
When you’ll be away from the house for a few days, you should run your grinder pump to get rid of existing waste and prevent odors from building up. To do this, run an indoor faucet for 10 minutes, or as long as it takes for your grinder pump to turn on. Turn the faucet off, and let the grinder pump run until the tank is empty.
Do you need help with residential grinder pump equipment or other wastewater treatment systems in Camden County, MO? Enviro-Line Co., Inc. is here to help—call us today.
Categorised in: Grinder Pumps