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Grinder pumps are not automatically a deal breaker in home sales unless they have significant repair issues. Grinder pumps are sometimes necessary for proper sewer functioning, so if you are really set on a specific property, a grinder pump might be a required fixture.
As long as a sewage grinder pump is regularly maintained, you shouldn’t notice it during normal functioning. Many experts agree you should get a professional inspection at least once every three to five years.
The main downside is the increased maintenance costs and responsibility for repairs. As the homeowner, you’ll assume full responsibility for the grinder pump, which may represent an unnecessary risk to some buyers.
Overall, a grinder pump system is not a deal-breaker if you are willing to shoulder repair and maintenance costs and are set on a property where it's necessary.
A grinder pump is a special type of sewage pump that uses special blades to grind sewage up and pump it into the main sewer line.
Grinder pumps consist of a basin that collects wastewater from your home’s sewage. A special motor spins an impeller that liquifies solid waste before a discharge system pumps the waste to the main sewer line.
You can think of a grinder pump as similar to a giant garbage disposal for your sewer instead of your kitchen sink. The average grinder pump is about two feet in diameter and installed underneath the concrete foundation.
Grinder pumps differ from gravity sewer systems, which use natural gravity to flush wastes through pipes rather than an actual pump.
Grinder pumps are more common in commercial buildings that need to process significant amounts of waste, but they can also be installed in homes that are located below the main sewer line.
Grinder pumps are necessary in homes that have their plumbing located below the sewer line. Because sewage for the house is below the sewer line, you can’t rely on gravity to flush the system. Instead, a grinder pump moves the wastewater up so that it can properly drain into the sewer.
As such, grinder pumps are common for fixtures like basement bathrooms and kitchens that exist below ground.
Grinder pumps may also be necessary if terrain restrictions prevent typical sewer arrangements. For example, homes that are located far from municipal sewers may need grinder pumps to transfer wastewater over large enough distances to reach the sewer lines.
Grinder pumps are similar to ejector pumps in that they both pump sewage up a vertical distance to connect to the main sewer line.
However, ejector pumps don’t have blades and instead use a spinning impeller to push waste through the pipes.
The main differences between the two come down to utility and cost. Grinder pumps are better for processing solids and are better at moving waste a further distance.
Ejector pumps are less expensive and could be better for shorter-distance plumbing.
Grinder pumps are necessary only when an ejector pump won’t work. Grinder pumps also cannot be used with septic systems because the fine slurry prevents the tank from properly filtering wastewater.
In the context of commercial rental units, landlords should generally avoid buying units that require a grinder pump.
They are useful for processing more waste, but landlords can’t necessarily control what tenants flush down their pipes (e.g., wet wipes, hygiene products, etc.).
As with any home purchase, there are pros and cons to buying a house with a grinder pump installed.
The main benefit of a grinder pump is that you can connect your home’s wastewater lines to the sewer when gravity alone won’t cut it. This allows more flexibility with house construction and room layout.
Grinder pumps are extremely reliable when used correctly and maintained properly. The typical grinder pump can last up to 15 years without significant issues. Unless there is a repair issue, you shouldn’t notice the grinder pump when it's in operation.
Because they are a separate fixture, a grinder pump can result in higher upfront costs when buying a house.
Flushing improper waste, like wet wipes or hygiene products, can cause grinder pumps to clog. Grinder pumps have a lot of moving parts and so are more at risk of mechanical failure than traditional gravity-based sewer systems.
You can split the costs of a grinder pump down into three categories:
Below is a more detailed breakdown of each category of expenses
Installation is the most expensive cost of owning a grinder pump and typically amounts to between $1,500 and $5,000.
A significant chunk of that amount is labor costs, which can vary heavily depending on local factors. It usually takes about six hours to install a grinder pump, but it can take longer if your sewer line is difficult to access.
Installation is expensive, but operating a grinder pump is much more affordable. Operation costs usually total between $30 and $50 per year — about the cost of a standard 40w light bulb.
Because they operate in short bursts, grinder pumps are not a major drain on electrical power.
Grinder pumps need regular servicing, which typically costs between $200 and $300 a year. However, maintenance costs can vary based on which parts need fixing.
Repairing broken blades, for example, will cost more than cleaning the wastewater reservoir.
A new grinder pump typically lasts up to 15 years before experiencing problems, assuming regular care and maintenance. So, if you are buying a home with an older grinder pump, you may have to budget for new installation costs sooner rather than later.
Grinder pumps are not risk-free, and problems can arise that affect your plumbing.
As long as you are maintaining the system correctly and not flushing foreign objects, you shouldn’t have frequent grinder problems.
However, various factors out of your control can cause repair issues that need to be addressed, so it’s best to be prepared.
Here are some common problems that are associated with grinder pumps and how to solve them.
The most pressing problem with grinder pumps is clogging from foreign objects. Grinder pumps can handle most solid waste, but they can’t handle foreign objects made from cloth or cotton.
Since they run on electricity, grinder pumps will not work during power outages.
As such, many homeowners purchase backup generators to run the pump if the power cuts off.
Grinder pumps have a maximum volume of fluid they can process at once. If the water goes over a certain level, it will trip an alarm and shut off the pump to prevent overflowing and clogging.
The grinder pump will naturally accumulate wear and tear through use, particularly the impeller blades that grind up solid waste.
The two things you can flush down a grinder pump are human waste and toilet paper. Even then, flushing too much toilet paper can cause clogs, so you shouldn’t overload your pipes.
Anything that won’t break down organically isn’t suitable to flush down a grinder pump. This includes things like wet wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, diapers, hair, fats, oils, and grease.
These substances will snag on the blades and clog the system, causing severe backup and requiring expensive repairs.
Flushing inappropriate objects will not only require immediate repairs but will also impact the long-term health of your system. In other words, misuse directly leads to additional repair and replacement costs.
Flushing only appropriate objects will keep the system clear and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the blades and pipes.
Whether or not you should buy a house with a grinder pump depends on the circumstances.
Ask yourself the following questions before committing to the purchase:
A grinder pump grinds raw sewage into a fine slurry and pumps it to a pressurized sewer main. It’s basically a garbage disposal, but for your sewer instead of your kitchen sink.
Homes have grinder pumps when they need to move waste uphill or across long distances. For example, basement bathrooms may need a grinder pump to move sewage up if it’s oriented below the main line.
The typical grinder pump can last up to 15 years, assuming regular maintenance and repairs.
A properly functioning grinder pump should not be loud and should only make a low humming sound under operation. Loud grinding, rattling, or buzzing sounds are typically indicators of repair issues.
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