When To Install a New Grinder Pump
Grinder pumps are not standard in every home, but the homes that have them rely on them to help dispose of their sewage. Grinder pumps are used whenever a home and its sewer system are located below the elevation of the city sewer line or their septic tank, and they are common in homes with basements or homes at the bottom of a hill.
Grinder pumps work by acting as a garbage disposal for sewage. They chew waste and toilet tissue into a slurry that can be pumped to a sewer line or septic tank for disposal and treatment.
When grinder pumps fail, they can cause a complete loss of sewer service to a home and allow sewage to flow backward into it. Since their work is vital to the health and safety of the home, owners must know the signs that their grinder pumps need to be replaced. Here are the three most common signs that indicate the grinder pump may be about to fail so homeowners can take proactive action and avoid the nasty messes that accompany failed grinder pumps.
Low Water Pressure or Clogs
A grinder must function like any other pump to ensure that sewage reliably flows away from the home. In any drain or sewer line, the waste must maintain enough velocity to ensure all the effluent makes it down the pipe. As a grinder pump ages, it may fail to push effluent through the piping quickly enough to keep it flowing. This causes the sewage slurry to slow down from low water pressure and potentially form clogs.
Once a clog forms in the sewer lines, the problem is advanced. The clog must be cleared before the grinder pump is addressed, adding to the labor of the plumbing bills. Homeowners should pay attention to the operation of their grinder pumps to ensure they are pumping with adequate pressure to fully push sewage through the piping.
Leaks
Grinder pumps deal with some of the nastiest messes a home can produce. Due to their jobs and the fact that an electric motor has to move fluids, grinder pumps must be adequately sealed to prevent leaks and electrical contact with liquids. When leaks start to form, it is likely an indication that grinder pump replacement will be necessary.
Leaks can form in the grinder pump's body or the piping or basin serving the unit. Any sewage leak is dangerous and requires the attention of an expert to fix the situation. Calling in a professional is also a great idea, considering the pump might be about to fail.
The Unit Is Old
Grinder pumps last, on average, for about ten years. However, depending on use, they may fail sooner or last longer. If a grinder pump only serves a basement bathroom, it can last as long as two decades. If it serves an entire home, then it is better to err on the side of caution and replace the grinder pump earlier than strictly necessary. This avoids a nasty situation when the home cannot remove sewage.
About Capital City Septic Services
Capital City Septic Services works seven days a week to protect homes and businesses from sewage and waste. They offer septic tank and grease trap service, solutions that everyone needs to maintain a civilized life. Call today for septic tank service in Tallahassee, FL.
