🕑 3 minutes read
Did you know that many objects, such as wet wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, hair, sanitary items, condoms, and other random objects, enter wastewater treatment plants every day?
These articles will cause blockages/malfunctions of a domestic macerator as they will clog the mechanism. Therefore, proper waste management is recommended in the home.
Macerator
A macerator is conveniently positioned behind the WC and plumbed into the waste water pipework. It is exclusively designed with a refined, scissor-like cutting action. The high-speed rotating blades will cope with all human waste, such as faeces, blood, vomit etc. A macerator can be positioned in most rooms that are some distance from the soil stack. This is usually the case when a basement is converted into an ensuite bedroom or when an under-stairs cupboard space is converted into a downstairs WC, which is very handy if stairs become a challenge for some people (?).
They are also a must-have when a loft has been converted to extend the living space.
They can be unsightly, with all the pipework on the show, but it can be easily remedied by installing it behind a stud wall.
The macerator converts solids and fluids into a fine slurry, which is then discharged under pressure through small-diameter piping (¾ inch or 1 inch) into the soil stack and sewage line or septic tank.
Moreover, these macerator pumps can be used where gravity alone is not enough to help flush the waste out of the property. The pump inside the macerator can push the slurry a considerable distance to link with the soil stack or main sewer. However, always check first with the manufacturer first to see if the make and Macerator model is powerful enough to pump the waste over the required distance.
Grinder pump
Why a grinder pump and not a macerator? Most homes are built higher than the sewer line. This means that gravity will draw wastewater from the sewage system. However, not every home in the UK is in this position. Those that don't need a sewage grinder pump. This type of pump can prevent wastewater from backing up into the property.
Grinding pumps also have a cutting mechanism able to mash hard solids into small pieces, creating a slurry. The consistency of the sewage slurry, when processed, is such that it passes easily through the pipes enabling it to be pumped to higher elevations.
These pumps use an inlet grinding device with hardened stainless steel rotating cutting blades and several cutting teeth. This powerful mechanism reduces all solids to tiny particles.
In many cases, multiple restrooms or homes can share one grinder pump, spreading out the overall cost of the pump across all facilities and lowering costs for each connection.
Serviceteam engineers are available 24/7 to perform any repairs and preventative maintenance required to keep your property's plumbing/sewage systems trouble-free. Contact us directly to make a booking or alternatively book a visit via our online platform.
Visit our website for more information.
These articles will cause blockages/malfunctions of a domestic macerator as they will clog the mechanism. Therefore, proper waste management is recommended in the home.
What's the difference between a macerator and a grinder pump?
Macerator
A macerator is conveniently positioned behind the WC and plumbed into the waste water pipework. It is exclusively designed with a refined, scissor-like cutting action. The high-speed rotating blades will cope with all human waste, such as faeces, blood, vomit etc. A macerator can be positioned in most rooms that are some distance from the soil stack. This is usually the case when a basement is converted into an ensuite bedroom or when an under-stairs cupboard space is converted into a downstairs WC, which is very handy if stairs become a challenge for some people (?).
They are also a must-have when a loft has been converted to extend the living space.
They can be unsightly, with all the pipework on the show, but it can be easily remedied by installing it behind a stud wall.
The macerator converts solids and fluids into a fine slurry, which is then discharged under pressure through small-diameter piping (¾ inch or 1 inch) into the soil stack and sewage line or septic tank.
Moreover, these macerator pumps can be used where gravity alone is not enough to help flush the waste out of the property. The pump inside the macerator can push the slurry a considerable distance to link with the soil stack or main sewer. However, always check first with the manufacturer first to see if the make and Macerator model is powerful enough to pump the waste over the required distance.
Grinder pump
Why a grinder pump and not a macerator? Most homes are built higher than the sewer line. This means that gravity will draw wastewater from the sewage system. However, not every home in the UK is in this position. Those that don't need a sewage grinder pump. This type of pump can prevent wastewater from backing up into the property.
Grinding pumps also have a cutting mechanism able to mash hard solids into small pieces, creating a slurry. The consistency of the sewage slurry, when processed, is such that it passes easily through the pipes enabling it to be pumped to higher elevations.
These pumps use an inlet grinding device with hardened stainless steel rotating cutting blades and several cutting teeth. This powerful mechanism reduces all solids to tiny particles.
In many cases, multiple restrooms or homes can share one grinder pump, spreading out the overall cost of the pump across all facilities and lowering costs for each connection.
Key Differences between Macerator Pump and Grinder Pipe
| Macerator | Grinder Pipe |
|---|---|
| A smaller diameter pump. | Two primary types: single-stage and three-stage. |
| Cut small solids into fine slurry | Cut hard solids into small pieces |
| Single impeller wheel to generate liquid. | Uses multiple impeller wheels. |
| More common in residential properties. | Can be found in commercial applications. |
| Easily maintained. | More heavy-duty maintenance is required. |
| Easy to install - No underground pipes or sewage tanks are required. | Needs a tank placed in a convenient outdoor location. |
| Remove solid waste materials from the bottom of a tank via maceration. | Needs a tank placed in a convenient outdoor location. |
| Easy to install - No underground pipes or sewage tanks are required. | Rips and tears solids apart from the rotation process. |
| Macerating process using large scissor-type blades breaks up solids, | Rotation of the cutter blades pulls solids into cutting elements. |
| No solid content in the water when pumped. | Runs dry and handles either wet or dry solids |
| Transports solids-rich water which goes into the ground | Dissolve solid materials and often discharges in sewer or pond systems. |
| No need for Gravity | More powerful, starting at 1 hp. Domestic grinder pumps handle a lower volume, while commercial pumps handle higher flow rates |
Problems or questions about your sewage system?
Serviceteam engineers are available 24/7 to perform any repairs and preventative maintenance required to keep your property's plumbing/sewage systems trouble-free. Contact us directly to make a booking or alternatively book a visit via our online platform.
Visit our website for more information.
