Effluent Pump and Grinder pump Inspection - Maintenance

Effluent pumps and grinder pumps do require maintenance and inspection. Let me explain. These pumps are sitting in a tank of water and/or sewage.

In this effluent pump for a client's sand filter, you can see that the float switches are clean an able to swing without catching on sidewall of tank or cords. Cords are secure as to not interfere with the floats.

Here is a photo of a Solids Handeling Pump with float switch attached to it. This pump is often miscalled a Grinder Pump. This pump is not. It can handle human waste and light toilet paper only. These are often found in basements or crawlspaces.

There is a float switch that operates the pump. Sometimes the float switches are wired directly into the pump or they are wired into a panel that operates the pump.

Excessive build up causing pump to not operate property. Too much toilet paper being flushed at once.

Either way, it’s really important to make sure that the float switch can operate freely (not getting hung up on cords - side of tank - plumbing. Also make sure that the float switch doesn’t have excessive build up on it. Excessive build up will cause the float to not operate properly and if it get’s too heavy, won’t turn the pump on at all.

From time to time on Sewage Grinder Pump Stations the tank will need cleaned out and build up removed. The only way to know if the station is getting too much build up or not is to have it inspected. Homeowner can do this themselves if they are a little mechanically inclined with most homeowner tools.