Grinder pumps cost approximately four times as much as comparable ejector pumps, so you’ll want to carefully consider which option best suits your needs. Installation usually takes 6–10 hours, which could cost up to $1,500 in labor alone. The cost varies greatly depending on the pump you select and the labor cost of your plumber. Installing a new pump can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. But as time goes on, all pumps will wear down and the blades will dull. The cost of parts will depend on what needs to be replaced or repaired.įlushing inappropriate items such as tampons, condoms, or wipes will inevitably cause undue damage to your pump.Ī properly treated pump is expected to last 7–10 years. When a pump needs to be serviced, plumber labor costs usually range $50–150 per hour. The more use a grinder pump gets, the higher the energy cost. Grinder pumps typically cost about $30–50 a year to operate - they use about the same energy as a 40-watt light bulb. » READ: Should I Buy a House With a Septic Tank? They can still handle solids up to two inches in diameter, achieve a maximum head height of nearly 75 feet, and pump approximately 10,000 gallons per hour - most homes shouldn’t exceed any of those limits. They should NEVER be used with septic systems, however, as the slurry they create causes the septic system to work improperly.Įjector pumps are more appropriate for most residential uses, as they're cheaper and less prone to clogging. Generally, grinder pumps should only be used when an ejector pump would be inadequate. Grinder pumps are more powerful than ejector pumps, which comes into play if the home you want to buy is farther than 750 feet from the city sewer line or more than 75 feet downhill. If you’re not sure whether the home's toilets or drains are below the sewer line, consult a plumber or home inspector.įind Local Plumbing Services. If the home you're buying has plumbing below the sewer line, you'll need a grinder pump or an ejector pump to move the wastewater out of the home. They're also less prone to clogs than grinder pumps because the blades on a grinder pump can dull over time or get caught on items like tampons or wipes. Ejector pumps are cheaper and pump higher volumes than grinder pumps, so they're more common in residential homes. What's an ejector pump?Īn ejector pump is another type of sewage pump - but it doesn't use blades. Grinder pumps are more common in commercial properties, though they can be used in either residential or commercial buildings. So you're most likely to see a pump when it's being installed or serviced. Grinder pumps are approximately two feet in diameter and height, and they're usually installed underground or in a hole in your foundation. Think of them as garbage disposals for sewage. It collects wastewater in a basin, and then blades spin to liquify waste before it's pumped out of the house through the plumbing system. Ejector pumps, for example, often operate at least as well and without a grinding mechanism.Ī grinder pump is a type of sewage pump. Not all properties that have a grinder pump need one. Avoiding houses with grinder pumps will eliminate the possibility of a pump-caused backup, but not the possibility of a backup in general.

You can't afford to risk pump-caused sewage backupsĪ broken-down grinder pump could lead to sewage backups - however, so can a traditional gravity-based sewer system. Pumps create a slurry that causes the septic tank to work improperly. Grinder pumps shouldn't be combined with septic tank systems. » LEARN: How Much Does a Sewer Inspection Cost? You should AVOID buying a house with a grinder pump if… The house has a septic tank Consult an inspector or plumber when purchasing a home to ensure the grinder pump makes sense for that specific property. If the vertical distance is more than 75 feet, you'll need a grinder pump to achieve the necessary pressure to pump the sewage that high. Let’s say your potential house is downhill from the sewer line. The sewage needs to be pumped more than 75 feet vertically When a property is that far away from the sewer, a grinder pump will have the pressure necessary to pump the sewage that distance. The house is more than 750 feet from the city sewer line The maintenance and costs shouldn’t be significantly more frequent or expensive than your HVAC or other household systems. If the grinder pump is operating properly, you shouldn’t even notice it most of the time. You probably DO want a house with a grinder pump if… You really like the house Are you a top realtor? Join Clever’s networkĭo you want to close more loans? Join Clever's partnership program

Sewage ejector pump for septic system