Installation of a Sewage Grinder Pump Level With the Ground

Grinder Pump Uses

• Grinder pumps are used in houses that are situated on properties that do not allow for a gravity-fed drain system. Ordinarily, a household drain and sewer system is installed on a grade, with a specific pitch. This pitch allows water to drain downhill away from the home and into the sewer system. On properties with unique topographies or architectural designs, a graded drainpipe can be impossible to install. Grinder pumps serve the function of pumping waste up and away from the property.

Ground Level Access Panel

• Grinder pumps typically consist of a pump and a holding tank. The pump is located in an access panel that is visible above the ground when the unit is installed. This panel may have a lock to prevent unauthorized access, but the panel is necessary to facilitate maintenance on the pump. The holding tank is situated beneath the access panel, with an inlet pipe taking waste from the home and an outlet pipe leading to the sewer system.

Choosing an Outdoor Location

• You will want to choose a location that has sufficient depth to allow you to bury the tank below the frost line. This will prevent the liquid inside the tank from freezing and causing damage to the tank and pump during the winter months. Frost lines vary based on geographic location, so depth requirements will vary widely based on location; check a frost map for your region.

Indoor Installation

• If you are installing your grinder pump and holding tank indoors, note that you will have to place it lower than the household drains that are attached to it. A basement works best for this, but there are some grinder pump models designed for installation in crawlspaces. Installing a grinder pump at ground level in a heated basement is fine, as long as the temperature remains above freezing and the pump is located below the household drains it serves.