Sewage Pump vs Sewage Grinder Pump
What’s the Difference?

Though it is quite typical to hear the terms used interchangeably, there’s in fact some pretty significant differences between a sewage pump and a grinder pump. Both are used at elevations where mechanical assistance is required to move sewage up a grade. What are those differences between them, and which type of pump should you use in which situation? Here is a peek at both kinds of pumps and the environments they should be used in.

Sewage Pump Features
Overall, sewage pumps can manage some solids-handling ability, but there are some limitations. This kind of pump is frequently utilized with basement toilets to pump the sewage up into the sewage system lines for the house with the solids still intact, or if a home lies in a low area and sewage must be pumped uphill into a city sewage system or septic tank.

Some sewage pumps are grinder pumps, but not all. Grinder pumps are a subtype of sewage pumps. Normally speaking, sewage pumps that are not grinder pumps can move sewage solids as much as 2 inches in diameter that are simple to break down or dissolve. Harder material will cause clogs and substantial wear and tear on the pump. Nevertheless, a general sewage pump that is not a grinder pump is generally cheaper and draws less power. This likewise means that the pump is unable to move sewage to as high of a point as a grinder pump has the ability to do.

Sewage Grinder Pumps Features
Grinder pumps are still sewage pumps, which is one of the reasons they are confused. Grinder pumps consist of a cutting mechanism that can chop the harder solids into smaller pieces, creating a loose mixture that can more quickly travel through pipelines. Because the loose mixture is relatively fine, it can be pumped to a greater elevation than basic sewage pumps. For this reason, grinder pumps tend to utilize more power and are more expensive. Being of this capability and cost, they are more frequently utilized in institutional and commercial applications. Though they can deal with harder solids, they can still break down, so it’s essential to just flush products that belong in a toilet still. In lots of circumstances, depending on the specific pump’s setup, numerous toilet centers or houses can be connected to a single grinder pump, spreading the general cost of the pump throughout the group and decreasing the expenditure for each individual connection.

There are two different kinds of grinder pumps, a semi-positive displacement or SPC, and centrifugal. Many featured a tank and alert system so that if the level of waste increases beyond a particular point since the grinder pump has malfunctioned, an alert or alarm will go off so that action might be taken to correct the situation. The waste level is determined either by sensors or floats, though in systems that integrate drifts, grease buildup can trigger the pumps to run needlessly.

By comprehending the standard distinctions between grinder pumps and sewage pumps, you will know better what to try to find in your specific scenario. If you need assistance discovering the ideal option for your wastewater requirements, the experienced experts at South End Plumbing are ready to help. Please do not hesitate to call us today for more information, with any concerns or to find how we can help you keep you moving water smoothly.

South End Plumbing specializes in all plumbing services, so remember, we are just a click away. We also specialize in tankless water heaters – give us a call! South End Plumbing is one of the only companies that will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-919-1722 or fill out the form online to schedule a visit.