Three Common Grinder Pump problems

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A grinder pump also known as a sump pump, is a waste management tool that is made to be utilized in dishwashers, toilets, showers and washing machines among other appliances, which give off waste water. With the grinder pump you can have your solid waste which is in the water being turned slurry, then transported to the sewer lines.

Grinder pumps are in most cases located underground, they, therefore, can be difficult to access by an individual who is not a professional. This article is especially helpful for home management enthusiasts, individuals who are willing to take on the job themselves.

Common Problems of  Grinder Pump

It’s essential that you are aware of the issues that can arise from your pump. This will make it easier to maintain your pump, consequently reducing the cost of having to call in a professional. The following is a list of some of the common problems encountered by your grinder pump.

Grinder Pump

  1. Freezing

As seen the grinder pump is located underground, in case you are in a warmer location, you can have your pump a few feet underground.  This is however not the case for areas that experience deep frost. In such areas the grinder pump will be required to be placed below the freezing level; that is the level at which you will not have frost reaching the earth.

Having the pump not placed underground below this level is one of the problems, which result in a slurry or wastewater freezing and jamming the pump. It’s important that you are aware of how deep frost can reach in your area; thus ensuring that you have the pump buried deeper.

Freezing also damages pipes, thus the need to take care of the plumbing system leading to and from the grinder pump.

  1. Clotting

As a homeowner, you are already aware that pieces of debris are able to get stuck in the pump. You also ought to be aware that smaller items can also lead to a gradual build-up of silt, which eventually damages the pump.

In the event that there’s clotting in your pump, it becomes slow and with time you’ll hear some whining sound when the pump is on. With the silt built-up, you will have frequent triggering of the pump. Contact a professional plumber to have the silt removed as soon as possible before using the pump again.

  1. Blockage

The sump pump can be easily blocked by debris or by dirt. There are pumps which use a floater device that is able to sense the level of wastewater in the tank. The floater device is then able to activate the sump pump.

The floater, however, is susceptible to dirt and grease build up. This at times can make the pump turn on when it’s not needed or even not turn on when it’s needed. You will have sewage leaks into your yard or house, as an indication that you have a blockage in your pump.

You can hose down your sump pump; so that you can be able to remove grease or dirt from the floater. You can also have blockage problems due to careless dumping of waste into your pipes, such as oil, paint, kitty litter and any other insoluble items. You will have these items building up at the bottom of your tank before they clump together with debris and jamb the sump pump.

Note that even flushable items like disposable napkins; they can cause problems to your grinder pump. Therefore in order to have an effective grinder pump, it’s vital that you do not flush any item that is able to cause a jamb on your pump.