Homeowner’s Guide to Grinder Pumps
Why do I have a Grinder Pump?
The low pressure sewage system servicing your home is part of a larger City of Hagerstown Wastewater Collection System. The grinder pump in your yard is an important part of the 150+ mile pipe system that carries sewage to the Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by City of Hagerstown.
The Hagerstown Utilities Department, Wastewater Division uses several types of collection systems. Each has been designed to serve the customer in a particular area. Topography, the physical features of the earth, plays an important role in design selection. In areas which cannot be served by gravity flow, pumps are used to pump sewage into the pipe of a downstream gravity pipeline.
Your home is served by a low pressure system, which uses a grinder pump to grind the sewage from your home (much like a garbage disposal in your kitchen) and pumps the sewage through small plastic pipes to the larger pipes in the street.
Low pressure systems are sometimes used in areas which cannot be served by gravity pipes. However, a grinder pump system does require the homeowner to take a more active role than required by a homeowner served by a gravity system.
It is important that you know how your home sewer system operates and that you notify the Hagerstown Utilities Department – Wastewater Division if a problem occurs. The unit servicing your home is maintained by the Hagerstown Utilities Department – Wastewater Division.
With your cooperation, your low pressure system will provide years of safe, reliable service. Please read the following information on the proper use, emergency procedures and special situation guidelines.
How to Protect your system
The grinder pump can handle any wastewater that is normally discharged to the sewer from the kitchen, bathroom or laundry. Some chemicals and materials may cause operating problems or safety hazards. It is advisable to check labels on chemicals prior to disposal. Never connect a sump pump to your sanitary plumbing; this would be considered a violation of Hagerstown’s City Code, section 240-41
Caution
Never put any of the following materials into sinks, toilets, or drains:
* Glass, metal, wood, Seafood Shells, Diapers, socks, rags, or cloth of any kind.
* Plastic Objects (toys, eating utensils, etc.
* Any Strong Chemicals, Toxic, caustic, or poisonous substances
* Gasoline, Kerosene, fuel oil, paint thinner
* Antifreeze, Lubricating Oil or Grease
* Cooking Fat, (lard, oil, grease)
* Degreasing solvents.
These materials can damage the grinder pump, cause blockages, or may create unsafe conditions in your home pipes or tank.
Technical Details
A fiberglass sewage holding tank has been installed underground on your property, and a sewage grinder pump is housed in the tank. The tank cover is the only part that shows above ground. All of the wastewater from your home flows into the buried tank. When the tank fills to a pre-set level, the grinder pump automatically turns on, grinds the waste, and pumps it out of the tank via the sewer service pipe and into the public sewer system. The grinder pump normally will run for one or two minutes and automatically turns off when the tank is emptied. During a typical day the pump may turn on and turn off 20 to 30 times. The pump is powered by electricity and is connected to a control panel in the basement and on the outside wall of your home. The property owner is responsible for the plumbing and electricity from the house to the tank canister. The cost of the electricity is paid by the property owner, not the Hagerstown Utilities Department.
If you have an Alarm…
If there is a grinder pump failure, the tank which contains the pump will become too full. An alarm light and/or bell located in your basement, kitchen or other area will automatically turn on. You should…
Check the breaker in the Grinder Pump Panel Control Box. If breaker is tripped – reset breaker. If the problem persists, please contact us at the numbers listed below.
Discontinue water use to prevent overflows and sewage backups into your home.
Wait fifteen (15) minutes before taking further action. A high level will sometimes cause the alarm to come on. This situation is often self-correcting and the tank will automatically be pumped down.
If fifteen (15) minutes have passed and the alarm light is still on or if you continue to get an alarm during the next few pump cycles please contact us at 301-739-8577 ext 650, during normal business hours 7am-4pm M-F or 301-790-3205 any other time.
Never attempt to open the tank cover.
Our technicians will repair the grinder pump, or advise you if there is an electrical alarm failure which is your responsibility to have repaired.
Special Conditions
Power Failures
If there is a power failure which affects your home, your grinder pump will also experience a loss of power and will not be able to operate. The grinder pump tank has a certain amount of holding capacity, but interior water use should be severely limited until power has been restored.
Vacations
If you will be away from home for several days, the following steps should minimize any problems:
Replace the wastewater in the tank with clean water to help minimize odors. To do this, run water from an inside faucet long enough for the grinder pump to begin running. (You may need to go outside near the pump and listen to verify it has started running.)
After the pump starts, turn the inside faucet off. The grinder pump will run until the tank is nearly empty (3-4 inches) and will shut off. This process will cleanse the pump and the pipes; leaving the tank filled with a minimum amount of clean water. This will also help to minimize odors that could accumulate during your vacation.
Remember to always leave the electrical power to the pump on.
Other Measures that may be of interest
If the home owner wishes to have their alarm tested, please contact us at 301-739-8577 ext 650 to schedule an appointment. (we encourage you to do so.)
Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine if you have coverage for sewer-backups, this type of coverage is relatively inexpensive and could save you money in the long run.
