If your sump is working properly, you probably don’t think about it very often. But taking the time to clean it once a year can help it last longer and catch any problems before you end up with a flooded basement. Let us walk you through the process in six easy steps.
Supplies
For this process you’ll need a piece of plastic sheeting or a large garbage bag, a scraping tool, a large bucket, a garden hose, and a shop vac.
TURN OFF WATER
Turn off water to any fixture that drains directly into the sump pit, like the washing machine, or just close the main water shutoff. At the very least, you’ll want to make sure that nothing in your house is using water that could end up in your sump pit while you have the sump pump removed.
DISCONNECT YOUR SUMP PUMP
First, if it’s raining or just got done raining, do not disconnect your sump pump—you may need it running to keep your basement dry. If it’s not raining, you can start by unplugging or turning off your sump pump and disconnecting the discharge pipe.
REMOVE AND TAKE YOUR SUMP PUMP OUTSIDE
This is where you’ll need your plastic. Carefully lift your sump pump out of the pit and wrap it in plastic—this will prevent you from leaving a trail of dirty water and slug as you carry your sump pump outside.
CLEAN YOUR SUMP PUMP WITH A HOSE
Start by using your hose to rinse off the pump. Once you’ve rinsed off the first layer, there’s likely to be some dirt that’s harder to remove—for this you’ll need your scraping tool. Rinse the pump one more time and then take a moment to examine your clean sump pump—check for any damaged or cracked components. If you do find cracks, damages or anything else that doesn’t seem right, reach out to a professional as soon as possible—it’s always easier to deal with sump pump problems before they turn into emergencies. If you don’t find any cracks or damage, you can leave the pump out to dry while you take care of the next couple of steps.
REMOVE LEFTOVER WATER FROM YOUR SUMP PIT
First you’ll want to clear out the check valve. Use your bucket to catch any leftover water draining out of the check valve, instead of letting it drain back into the sump pit. Now you’ll need your shop vac to remove any water left in the pit, so your newly cleaned sump pump doesn’t have to immediately start pumping dirty water again.
RECONNECT YOUR SUMP PUMP
Put your pump back in your sump pit and reconnect it to the discharge pipe. Now you’re ready to face the next big downpour with confidence!
Questions About Any of These Steps?
Sump pumps, check valves, discharge pipes, etc are not one size fits all—so your home might have a slightly different configuration or type of sump pump. If you get stuck during the process or you’re confused by any of these instructions, give us a call at (319) 377-2809 or contact us online.
