Your sump pump works hard to keep your home safe and dry, pumping water away in your sump pit. With time, sand and gravel can clog your pump, and if it fails to work efficiently, your home may suffer from flooding and water damage. Luckily with only a little work, you can clean your sump pump and ensure it works efficiently for years to come.
Supplies You Will Need
- Plumbing Snake
- Plastic Scraper
- Protective Gloves
- Bucket
- A Cup
- Screwdriver
- Wet/Dry Vacuum
Step 1: Ensure the Pump Works
The first thing you should do is ensure the pump is still working. To do this, fill the sump pump pit with enough water to cause the flotation device to lift. Once this happens, the pump should come on. Now you can see if it is working before you spend time cleaning it.
Step 2: Disable the Pump
Before cleaning the pump, it is time to take some safety precautions and disable the power to the pump. Either unplug its power source or shut it off at the breaker. Also, make sure that appliances such as a washing machine that may drain into the sump pit are disabled. Finally, whenever you are handling standing water such as that in the sump pit, make sure your hands are protected by a suitable pair of gloves.
Step 3: Disconnect the Pipe
Using your screwdriver, you must now remove the pipe from right beneath your check valve. Your sump pump’s manual should have detailed instructions on how to do this. Now you can lift the sump pump out of your sump pit. Ensure you lift it over a bucket in order to catch any water trapped inside.
Step 4: Clean the Pump and Pipe
After all the water trapped inside is drained, you can disconnect the check valve and clean the inside of the pump with warm water. Finish by scraping any stuck-on debris with a plastic scraper. Afterward, reconnect the check valve. Now check and clean your pipe with a plumber’s snake. Insert the snake from the pump end of the pipe and work out any blockages.
Step 5: Clean and Drain the Sump Pit
Now it is time to drain any water from the sump pit. Use a wet/dry vacuum and suction out any standing water. After the water is removed, use your cup to scoop out any of the sludge that is likely remaining at the bottom of the sump pit.
Step 6: Reassemble and Test
Now that everything is clean, it is time to put everything back together how you found it. Now return the power and fill the pit with enough water to cause the pump to activate. Watch and make sure that everything is functioning how it should. Now you’re done!
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your sump pump is a chore, but it also is not very difficult and is critical to ensuring your pump continues to function how it should. So make sure to make cleaning this critical piece of machinery a part of your regular routine.
Contact Us
If your sump pump is in need of maintenance, don’t hesitate to call J Griffin Heating & Plumbing. Our licensed plumbing team has 30 years of experience providing homeowners with the help they need to keep their plumbing in top form. Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.
