Pennsylvania plumbing contractor simplifies basement bathroom renovation project with labor-saving grinder pump

Problem

HALLAM, PENNSYLVANIA — As the owner and founder of Spring Road Plumbing & Septic Repairs — a local family-owned business specializing in routine maintenance, new installations, and more — Joel Siegrist understands the importance of quality, affordability, and reliability in every job he undertakes.

On a recent five-bedroom home remodel, Siegrist faced the challenge of installing a new, fully functional bathroom in the basement, including a toilet, vanity, and shower. Basement plumbing installations like this typically require a grinder pump to move waste upward to the main sewage line. However, traditional grinder pump systems are often labor-intensive to install and service. Siegrist’s small team and the fast-paced nature of his installations made these challenges especially problematic.

“With other grinder pumps on the market,” he explains, “you have to set the pump and floats at the right height, which is very time-consuming.”

Siegrist recognized that time spent on complex installations could directly impact his business’s efficiency and ability to serve clients promptly. Rather than wage an uphill battle, Siegrist decided to find an alternative and affordable solution for his client.

Solution

While exploring options for the basement bathroom installation, Siegrist visited his local plumbing supply house, where a sales representative introduced him to the SFA Saniflo Sanipit 24 GR CB Grinder Pump system. Although initially hesitant to try the new system, Siegrist’s previous positive experiences with SFA Saniflo above-floor plumbing products and the representative’s detailed description of the Sanipit’s performance gave him the confidence to move forward with this solution.

A standout feature for Siegrist was the ease of service and reliability. The Sanipit’s fail-proof air pressure switch system with triple redundancy eliminates the float-related issues common in traditional sewage pumps.

“The Sanipit has pressure switches, so there’s no messing with floats,” Siegrist comments. “The control panels are all pretty straightforward as far as installation and service go.”

For his bathroom remodel project, the Sanipit system handles wastewater from three fixtures: a toilet, a vanity, and a shower. The system is vented through a dedicated exterior line, while the discharge line runs over 8 feet vertically and then 10 feet horizontally.

The installation took approximately five hours, significantly less than a conventional grinder pump setup, according to Siegrist. He prepped and created a concrete hole before moving the preassembled basin and grinder unit into place. He then connected the discharge and vent pipes, finalized the wiring to the external control panel, and tested the system to ensure proper functionality.

Siegrist appreciated the Sanipit 24 GR CB’s simple plumbing connections and intuitive control interface, which made the entire installation process efficient, clean, and far less labor-intensive. He also noted the Sanipit’s quieter operation, a major improvement over traditional grinder systems. This characteristic is especially valuable in residential settings where noise control will invariably impact homeowner satisfaction.

Additionally, Siegrist valued Sanipit’s external control panel, which is equipped with visual and audible alarms. These alarms offer an extra layer of reliability by immediately signaling any potential issues.

According to Siegrist, the thoughtful engineering behind Sanipit not only simplified installation but also provided long-term peace of mind, ensuring minimal service needs and maximizing overall project efficiency.

“Being on the service side, I’ve seen how messy and time-consuming grinder pump systems in basements can get,” he says. “After working with the Sanipit, I’d be comfortable using it again in a future job. It’s a lot easier to service.”

Product Profile:
Sanipit 24 GR CB

The Sanipit 24 GR CB is the most reliable and hassle-free grinder pump kit on the market. Intended for new installations, it includes a heavy-duty basin made of rugged HDPE and measuring 24 inches in diameter and depth to encase the internal components.

Other key features:

Built-in 1-horsepower grinder motor, plus an external control panel, suitable for wall-hanging and equipped with visual and audible alarms.

Fail-proof, air-pressure switch system with triple redundancy.

Dry cavity for mess-free, “white-glove” servicing and easy access to all major internal components, including motor, grinder blade, and pressure switches.

Capable of discharging up to 66 gallons per minute through a 2-inch discharge line.

Certified by CSA and listed by IAPMO for nationwide compliance.

Limited four-year warranty.

Results

Since installing the Sanipit 24 GR CB, Siegrist notes that his client has experienced outstanding performance with no service issues or callbacks. Since this initial remodel, he has installed an additional three Sanipit units on other projects, consistently seeing positive results with all of them.

When comparing the Sanipit 24 GR CB to other brands he considered, such as Liberty Pumps, Siegrist found SFA Saniflo’s solution to be far superior in terms of installation ease and long-term reliability. “Time is money,” he emphasizes. “I’m a small business. Timing is everything.”

Beyond the initial time savings during installation, the Sanipit’s design gave Siegrist confidence in the system’s long-term performance and minimized his concerns about future maintenance or service calls. Given his positive experiences, Siegrist enthusiastically recommends the Saniflo Sanipit 24 GR CB and other Saniflo products to fellow plumbing professionals and customers alike.

“In my eyes, there’s no comparison with any other product,” he says.

By opting for the Saniflo Sanipit 24 GR CB, Spring Road Plumbing & Septic Repairs transformed what could have been a complex and time-consuming basement installation into a smooth and worry-free project. This highlights how the right product can make a meaningful difference in challenging, below-grade plumbing-drainage applications.

Find an Installer for your next project !