Grinder Pump Dos and Don’ts

The following is important information if your home wastewater system is equipped with a grinder pump.

What is a grinder pump?
A grinder pump is a pump unit located at a low point in your home or yard where wastewater drains from the house. The pump grinds the wastewater and pumps it to the nearest gravity sewer located in the public street.

How does a grinder pump work?
Wastewater from your home flows through your drains and collects in a holding tank. When the wastewater in the tank reaches a certain level, the pump automatically activates to grind the sewage into small particles. The pump then generates enough pressure to push the wastewater uphill through your sewer line to the sewer main.

Why do I need a grinder pump?
The wastewater system you are connected to is a low-pressure system. Grinder pumps are used in neighborhoods where site conditions—such as building elevations and ground slopes—make construction of conventional gravity sewers impractical. Grinder pumps made the development of your neighborhood and home possible. Your grinder pump system safely and efficiently pumps wastewater generated inside your home into the wastewater collection and treatment system serving your property.

What should I do if my grinder pump alarm goes off?
If there is too much flow entering your grinder pump unit, a high sewage level will automatically trigger an alarm horn and light to alert you of the problem. In many cases, the issue may be caused by excessive water use. Take the following steps:

• Immediately discontinue water use to prevent overflow.
• Wait fifteen (15) minutes before taking further action. High water usage can sometimes cause the alarm to activate, and this condition may self-correct. If the pump is operating properly, the wet well will be pumped down and the alarm light will turn off automatically.
• If the alarm light remains on after fifteen minutes, contact a licensed plumber or the pump supplier to resolve the issue.
• Never attempt to open the tank cover or the electrical control panel.

What should I do if there is a power outage?
Your grinder pump is powered by electricity and will not operate during a power outage. To prevent wastewater from backing up into the lowest sink, tub, or toilet in your home, severely limit indoor water use until power is restored. Do not shower, wash dishes, or use appliances, and limit toilet flushing. Keep in mind that the holding tank has limited capacity, and if the system was nearly full before the outage, even less storage capacity will be available.

What can I do to protect my grinder pump?
A properly maintained grinder pump can handle normal household wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry. However, some chemicals and substances can damage the pump or create safety hazards. Always read chemical labels before use or disposal. Never connect a sump pump to the grinder pump system. Avoid planting shrubs, installing fences, decorative pilings, fish ponds, or similar items near the pump area, as underground electrical wiring and piping may be damaged. Electrical power and alarm wires are buried between the control panel and the tank.

What should I do with my pump when I go on vacation?
If you plan to be away for several days, replace the wastewater in the tank with clean water to help minimize odors. Run water from an indoor faucet until the grinder pump activates, then turn the faucet off. The pump will run until the tank is emptied and will shut off automatically. This process cleanses the pump and leaves it with a minimal amount of clean water. Always leave power to the pump on. This allows the internal heating element to operate, helping prevent condensation and freezing.

Don’ts for Inside the House

Following these guidelines will help ensure long system life and minimal maintenance. As a general rule, nothing should enter the wastewater system unless it has first been ingested, except toilet tissue, mild detergents, and wash water.

DON’T flush harmful or damaging substances into the wastewater system, including:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Excessive amounts of bath or body oils
• Water softener backwash
• Flammable or toxic products
• Household cleaners, especially floor wax and rug cleaners
• Chlorine bleach, chlorides, and pool or spa products
• Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or agricultural chemicals
• Degreasing solvents
• “Flushable” wipes

DON’T use additives marketed to enhance system performance. These products can damage the collection system. Naturally occurring microorganisms already produce the enzymes necessary to break down wastewater.

DON’T leave faucets running during cold weather to protect pipes. A running faucet can increase wastewater flow by 1,000–3,000 gallons per day and overload the system. Instead, properly insulate or heat plumbing.

DON’T use excessive amounts of water. Typical household usage is about 50 gallons per person per day.

DON’T ignore leaking plumbing fixtures. A leaking toilet can waste up to 2,000 gallons per day, increasing your water bill and overloading the system.

DON’T dig without knowing the location of your wastewater system. Call your state One-Call center (811) before any excavation, as required by law.

DON’T drive over the tank or buried components unless equipped with a traffic-rated lid. Use barricades or landscaping to prevent vehicle access.

DON’T dump RV waste into your system, especially if holding tank additives have been used. RV waste can clog or damage equipment and increase maintenance costs.

DON’T connect rain gutters or storm drains to the sewer or discharge hot tub water into the system. Excess water reduces system capacity, increases costs, and may flood the drain field.

Do’s for Inside the House

DO dispose of problem materials in the trash, including:

• Flushable wipes
• Egg shells, seeds, gum, coffee grounds, tea bags
• Paper towels, newspapers, diapers, sanitary products
• Cooking grease
• Rags, excessive hair
• Dental floss
• Q-tips
• Cat litter, aquarium gravel or rocks
• Glass, metal, wood
• Rubber or disposable gloves
• Fireplace ashes

DO collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the trash. Limit use of garbage disposals. Compost or trash food scraps when possible.

DO conserve water:

• Take shorter showers and limit use of soaking tubs
• Do not let water run unnecessarily
• Wash dishes and laundry only with full loads
• Install water-saving faucets and showerheads

DO keep lint out of the system by cleaning washing machine and dryer lint filters before each load. Installing a supplemental washing machine lint filter is recommended.

DO keep the tank access lid securely fastened at all times. Contact a maintenance technician if bolts are missing or damaged.

Electrical Safety Notice

Only a qualified electrician or authorized installer/operator should service the control panel. Before any work is performed on wiring, floats, pumps, or the control panel, power must be shut off at the isolation fuse/breaker, the panel circuit breaker, and the main electrical breaker.

Outside the House

At the Control Panel

• DO familiarize yourself with the location of your wastewater system and control panel.
• DO take immediate action if an alarm activates. Contact your utility service provider promptly; the alarm sounds similar to a smoke alarm.
• DON’T turn off the main circuit breaker to the wastewater system when going on vacation. If there is an infiltration or inflow into the system, the pump will need to be on to handle it.