Grinder Pump Alarm: What does it Mean?

E/One grinder pump stations come with alarm panels that will alert you if something goes wrong with the pump. Depending on when your E/One grinder pump was installed, the alarm panel could be a black box with a red light on top; a gray box with a red light on top; the custom-designed E/One Sentry enclosure, with the E/One logo on the front and red light on top; or even a small switch plate inside your home (usually in the kitchen or hallway) with a red light.

What does the alarm mean? Let's look at two different scenarios:

The alarm turns on for a few minutes, then turns off. We refer to this as a "nuisance alarm." If this happens, consider what was happening when the alarm turned on. Do you have a large spa tub or another appliance that uses a lot of water? Emptying a spa tub can send a large inrush of water into the grinder pump station. If the water level in the tank was close to the "on" level, then the large volume of water came from the tub, the pump may not have turned on quickly enough and the pump was overwhelmed temporarily. This type of alarm should turn off after 15 minutes or so.

The alarm turns on for a few minutes, then turns off, but it happens often. Repeated nuisance alarms may be more than a nuisance; they may indicate the early stages of your pump needing service. When the pump is working properly, you shouldn't notice much sound from the pump and not from the alarm panel. But if you're using a typical or reasonable amount water in the house and you get repeated alarms, you may want to call for service.

The alarm turns on and stays on. Service is required because the pump has stopped working. Never, never, never silence the alarm and leave it be. Don't turn off the breakers in hopes of clearing the alarm. Stop using water (or use as little as possible) and call for service. If you continue to use water, you will cause a backup into your home or yard.

Finding a Service Provider

E/One recommends contacting an authorized service center for repair. Using a non-E/One plumber or other pump repair may not be covered by the warranty.

First, start with your town or HOA. Some localities have their own service people or contracts with local repair businesses. If you're responsible for your own service, contact your local E/One distributor or call our Service Link at 1-866-539-9803 (in the US). Some of our distributors have their own service departments, or they can recommend a service provider.

More Information

Visit our web site for more information about grinder pump service. Download and print our Owners Guide for reference; there is space on the back to fill out your local service provider's contact information. If you'd like a copy mailed to you, contact us at eone@eone.com.

"You Can't Flush ANYTHING when You have a Grinder Pump"

(Notice that the headline is in quotes -- you'll learn why.)

As we've discussed on the blog before, new grinder pump owners feel incredibly limited by what they can pour or flush down the drain. They didn't have restrictions when they had septic tanks or gravity sewer systems, they say.

Are you sure?

We added a few video "Likes" to our YouTube channel last week about what not to flush and why. You may be saying, "Thanks for another reason to dislike a grinder pump ..."

Not so fast.

What's interesting about these videos is, not one of them ever mentions a grinder pump! Each video explains what what you should not be putting into the sewer system.


Still not convinced? Check out these links, found during a quick Google search (and have no obvious affiliation to E/One Sewer Systems):

• Village Requests Residents to Refrain from Flushing Baby Wipes -- Goreville, IL
• A kit by Goldstreet Designs, an agency that designs communications for the public utilities sector 
• The Septic Tank Maintenance entry on Inspectapedia.com (very similar list to the grinder pump)

Personal/cleaning wipes are a favorite topic: they're popular consumer items, yet problematic to the wastewater systems (equipment repairs, overtime, etc). Could it be true that people will pay for the convenience of wipes, even pay a plumber to clear a clog, but complain when their taxes go up because of increased sewer rates?

Of course, wipes aren't the only reason we are paying more for sewer. ASCE's Infrastructure Report Card was released a few weeks ago. We'll discuss the D grade that America's wastewater infrastructure received.

We've already started on our Facebook page (you don't need to be a member to view our page, only to add comments).

Article: Replacement Parts — OEM Parts are Chosen for Long Life & High Efficiency

This article in the November 2012 issue of Pumps & Systems magazine caught our eyes. Although the author works in an industry completely different from E/One, the theme of the article still applies: non-OEM replacement parts are not the answer when a pump or system requires service.

Upon first inspection, non-OEM parts may look and feel the same as the OEM parts. But there is a reason that they may cost less — they could be made from differently materials, which in the end, will not save you money. The difference in material could mean that pump performance is reduced, meaning that other parts could wear out faster because the pump is working harder overall. Or those non-OEM parts just wear out faster, requiring service more often. How does that save money?

A few of E/One's replacement parts,
stamped with the E/One logo

How can you be sure that you're getting E/One genuine parts for grinder pumps and alarm panels?

• E/One has a network of authorized distributors. Visit our web site to find out who and where they are located. Many of our distributors also have their own authorized service centers. 
• E/One's replacement parts are marked with the E/One logo. It's an easy way for you to tell the genuine parts from the imposters.
• If in doubt, contact us. Is someone offering a great deal on overstock? There may be a reason why: they could be obsolete parts, or non-OEM parts. The seller is probably not an authorized distributor or service center, either. We can answer your questions: email us at eone@eone.com or contact the Field Service Department at 518.346.6161.

Grinder Pump Repair: Why not Call my Plumber?

We’re often asked if any plumber can repair an E/One grinder pump. The answer is “probably not.” While some plumbers may have experience working with sump pumps and septic tanks, grinder pumps are different and should be repaired by a trained service center.

We’ve heard E/One grinder pumps referred to as “throwaway pumps,” meaning that instead of being repaired, they must be replaced. This is not true at all. There are thousands of E/One grinder pumps that were installed in the 1970’s that are still in operation. Have they been serviced in some way? Likely. But we do hear from homeowners who have never needed repair on their pumps, even after 25 years of operation. The average mean time between service calls? Eight to 10 years.

E/One has a network of sales and service providers around the country. We recommend that you contact the distributor closest to you for service and/or repair. Our distributors are trained and can diagnose your pump’s problem – and tell you whether the pump requires repair or replacement. Contact information for E/One’s distributors is available here, on E/One’s web site.