How to troubleshoot and unblock a macerator?

A macerating system is operated by a series of automatic valves. The flushed waste drains into the macerator chamber where it is mixed with water or some other liquid and stays there till the waste accumulates to a certain level. A pneumatic switch detects the level, while a sensor checks the pressure in the tank to activate the macerator after the right pressure is reached. The valves close temporarily via locking mechanisms like flaps, so that the macerator blades begin rotating at about 3,000 to 4,000 revolutions a minute. A pumping mechanism draws the liquefied waste from the chamber onward to the sewer in the case of land-based macerators, and to septic tanks in the case of boats or ships. A macerator is prone to develop problems due to various reasons. The section below details the symptoms that you should look for to detect faults, and the troubleshooting methods.