9 Sump Pump Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Basement Safe From Flooding

A sump pump is an important part of your home’s plumbing because it pumps out excess water that can rise in your basement during a storm. It’s easy to forget about this helpful appliance since it works out of sight in a basement or crawl space. However, without regular sump pump maintenance, the device can fail, leaving you with flooding on the lowest level of your home. To keep your pump working when you need it, stay on top of monthly, seasonal, and annual sump pump maintenance tasks.

1. Test the Sump Pump Monthly

You can check if your sump pump is working by dumping water over it and seeing if it pumps away the water. By testing it month to month, you’ll spot right away when the sump pump isn't working, so you can have a pro repair it before the next big rainstorm floods your basement.

If you test the pump and it doesn’t get rid of the water, it’s time to call in a pro for repairs. If your sump pump is more than seven to 10 years old, it may be time to budget for the cost of a sump pump replacement, which is $300 to $800.

2. Check That the Pump Is Upright

During your monthly testing, or any time you happen to be near the sump pump, give it a quick glance to make sure it’s upright. Sump pumps naturally vibrate and shift when they’re running, which can cause them to move in a way that prevents the float switch from activating the pump. The float switch signals to the sump pump that water is rising and needs to be pumped out of the home.

If the sump pump isn’t upright, it can cause too much water to sit in the sump pit. Grab the sump pump and adjust it until it is upright and stable.

3. Clean the Sump Pump Seasonally

A lot of dirt and debris can reach the inlet screen at the bottom of the sump pump. The inlet screen keeps that debris out of the sump pump, but over time, it can become clogged and prevent the sump pump from doing its job. 

Once per season, unplug the sump pump, remove the inlet screen, and clean it with a gentle cleaning brush or old toothbrush. If your sump pump collects graywater from your washing machine, clean the inlet screen more frequently—once per month. Remember to plug the device back in after cleaning.

4. Deep Clean the Sump Pump Annually

A deep clean involves cleaning the sump pump and the sump pit to get rid of grime buildup.

Start by disconnecting the sump pump from its power supply and removing it from its discharge pipe. You can lift the sump pump out of the pit and take it outdoors to hose it off and remove any larger debris. Remove and clean the check valve, located on the discharge pipe, and then reconnect it.

Before you put the sump pump back into the pit, clean out the pit using a wet/dry vacuum. Then, wipe it down thoroughly to remove any remaining grime. Afterward, you can place the sump pump back into the pit, reconnect the sump pump to the discharge pipe, and connect the sump pump back to its power supply. This is a good time to test the sump pump by dumping water over it.

5. Replace Worn-Out Parts 

Sump pumps work hard to keep your home free from flood waters, but that can lead to a lot of wear and tear on the device’s parts. As parts wear out, replace them as soon as possible. Sump pumps often have issues with the float switch not working, so replace this part once every two years.

6. Lubricate Sump Pump Bearings

When deep cleaning your sump pump, lubricate the bearings if needed. Some sump pump models need lubrication, so check your sump pump’s user manual to determine if that’s the case. If you can’t remember where you stored the manual, you can search your sump pump model online to find a digital copy. Better yet, you can hire a sump pump pro to help you with your sump pump maintenance.

7. Check for Clogs

During monthly or seasonal inspections, look around the discharge pipe and in the sump pit for any accumulating debris. If debris piles up and forms a clog, it will prevent the water from flowing into the pit or keep the sump pump from pumping out excess water. If you notice any debris, grab gloves and clear out the sump pump clog.

8. Install a Sump Pump Backup

A sump pump backup keeps your sump pump running even if a storm knocks out the electricity. This means you won’t have to worry about limiting your water usage every time a storm rolls in just in case the power goes out.

9. Hire a Pro for Annual Inspections

You should be doing DIY inspections on your sump pump throughout the year, but it’s also important to hire a sump pump installer near you to inspect and maintain your device at least once per year. 

A pro will do a (metaphorical) deep dive into your sump pump to make sure everything is working correctly. They will:

• Ensure that the check valve is working properly to prevent discharged water from backflowing into the sump pit 

• Check that the pump and pit are free of clogs

• Test the power supply to your sump pump, including the backup battery

• Install a sump pit cover or make sure the existing cover is the proper fit for the sump pit opening if you have concerns over radon in your sump pit

• Review the discharge location (where the sump pump expels the excess water it pumps away from the house) for compliance with local regulations

It’s important to hire a pro for an in-depth inspection because there are strict and sometimes complex codes involved in the safe operation of a sump pump. The pros will know what the law says and can offer quick repairs if anything is wrong.