Grinder Pumps in Central Texas Lake Homes Explained
What is a Grinder Pump?
My name is Jacob Lantz and with 25 years in the plumbing industry I have spent most of that time in and around grinder pumps or lift stations. Yes, in them! I’ve spent most of my years in Lago Vista, a small hill country town in the suburbs of Austin. Many of the homes around Lake Travis in West Austin tend to have a grinder pump. A grinder pump grinds household sewage into smaller particles and pumps it under enough pressure to move it into a city or municipal utility district (MUD) pressurized wastewater system. Usually at 33 PSI. The alternative is what most flatlanders have, a gravity sewer system. The gravity sewer system is undeniably that best scenario for any home, as long as you don’t plant large trees on top of it. Gravity systems rely on a sewer pipe that falls at a pitch of ¼” per foot at the house, to 1/8” in the yard, to 1/16th, and even less in city sewers. It can cover large areas, entire communities, transporting waste downhill, ever so slightly. In the hill a gravity pipe will only go as far as the next rise in terrain. Its where they get the saying, “crap flows downhill!”
How Long Do Central Texas Grinder Pumps Usually Last?
While the gravity system will last 30, 50, or even a 100 years in some cases. A grinder pump is expected to last around 7 years. On average I tend to see around 10 years and even higher when properly maintained. I recently came across a grinder pump that was 42 years old and it still worked! I almost did not want to remove it, but the homeowner requested it be replaced. While that is an absolute rarity, a well maintained pump system should last 10 – 15 years.
What Causes Grinder Pumps To Need Repairs?
Some of the causes of pump motor winding failure or impeller shaft housing failure can be.
1. Short Cycling.
A pump that doesn’t have the required capacity of 18” from start to stop float cycles more often and over the years wears the pump and windings down.
2. Foreign objects.
Toys, Grease, Feminine Products, Paper towels, Cleaning wipes, Make up remover wipes, and the grandaddy of them all “septic Safe Wipes,” will destroy the blades causing the pump to jam, have a hard start, and worker harder than it needs to. Folks this is not a septic, so don’t put the “septic safe” wipes down the drain!
Toys found in grinder pump tank (above)
3. Power Surges.
Your Grinder pump system is a mixture of plumbing and electricity. Electricity has to be managed properly and low voltage, high voltage or surges of electricity can damage your control panel and your motor. With the ever increasing power outages in Central Texas, have surge protection installed on your home.
How Our Ultimate Home Care Plan Benefits Homeowner with Grinder Pumps
Lantz Home Services has a membership plan that is tailored around plumbing systems, HVAC systems, electrical systems, and grinder pump systems. Many have tried to copy our methods, but according to pump manufacturers we are the best grinder pump experts in Central Texas. Inquire about our annual grinder pump inspection, we will make sure your pump operates correctly when you need it the most. And if you’re in the market for a new grinder pump system, give us a call. We have the most options of hand-picked grinder pumps with warranties that are longer than what the manufacturer will give, and we match the labor.
Electricians can’t handle the poop, and plumbers are scared of electricity, but to fix a grinder pump you have to deal with both. Call the company that has been the leader in grinder pumps since 1972.