Drain away your sump pump blues
Is a clog jamming up your day? A clogged sump pump is often a one-way ticket toward a costly sump pump replacement, or worse, a flooded basement following a heavy rain storm. If you discover your sump pump is clogged, it’s best to get it cleared as soon as possible. Thankfully, this is a job you can easily do yourself without having to call in the professionals. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how to unclog a sump pump at home, and save a little money in the process.
Roll up your sleeves, pull on some rubber gloves, and get ready to unclog a sump pump in just a few steps.
Start by unplugging your sump pump’s electrical connection and detaching the pump’s discharge lines. Once it’s unplugged and the lines are detached, lift the pump from the sump basin.
To clean the sump pump, use a rag to wipe it down. If it’s really dirty, take it outside and hose it off with water. It’s a good idea to place the sump pump into a large bucket or inside a trash bag to collect any water drips and prevent a mess on the floor.
Use a flashlight to look inside the entry and exit of the drain discharge lines. In many instances, the reason why a sump pump is not working or draining is because of large pebbles and other debris getting lodged in the lines. This prevents water from entering and exiting the discharge lines from the sump pit. As part of your regular sump pump maintenance, it’s a good idea to check the entry and exit of your discharge lines to ensure they’re clear.
If you see a clog in the discharge lines or the sump pit and it’s accessible, you can use your rubber-gloved hands to scoop out the debris. However, clogs deeper in the line require a snake. Here’s how you can snake a clog from the discharge lines:
Push the snake into the lines until you feel resistance.
Begin to twist the snake clockwise and counterclockwise. This helps loosen the clog.
Slowly pull the snake out of the discharge line and remove any clogged debris from the snake.
Repeat until you no longer feel resistance when putting the snake into the lines.
When your sump pump brings in water from outside, it can also bring in dirt, sand, and other sediment, which builds up over time. Sometimes, the sediment will build up near the front of the discharge lines, which you can easily scoop out by hand or scrape out with a screwdriver.
But you might discover the blockage is further in the lines, making it not-so-easy to reach. In this case, you can use a wet/dry shop vac or a drain snake to help clear the clog. If you still have issues after several passes with a wet/dry vac or snake, the issue might be too severe to fix yourself, so call in a pro to help.
Once the discharge lines are free of clogs and blockages, test the sump pump to make sure it drains easily. Here’s how you can test the lines:
Fill a 5-gallon bucket or other large container with water.
Dump the water into the sump pit.
Turn on the sump pump.
Check that water is coming out of the discharge pipe.
If the water releases from the pipe, you’ve successfully cleared the clog.
If the water stays in the pit or drains slowly, there is still a clog in the sump pump system.
Once your drains are cleared, reattach the sump pump to the discharge lines and power source. Place the sump pump in the sump basin, making sure it’s centered and level. Plug the sump pump back in to turn it on.
Again, fill the sump pit with about five gallons of water to test that the pump works and is attached properly to the discharge lines. Once the pit is filled with water, it should activate the pump’s system to drain the water. If the sump pump is not working, you may have reinstalled it incorrectly or the discharge lines could still be blocked.
Unclogging your sump pump may seem like a messy, complicated job that’s best left to the professionals. But, if you possess some DIY plumbing know-how, you can easily unclog your sump pump yourself. Plus, the DIY costs are minimal, using tools and supplies you likely already have on hand.
However, some circumstances may require outside help from your local sump pump repair professional. For instance, your discharge lines might have blockages that are too far to reach and can’t be cleared with a drain snake or wet/dry shop vac. Or you may have trouble reinstalling your sump pump, or discover you need a new sump pump altogether. The average sump pump installation cost is $1,275 and ranges between $640 and $1,980 depending on labor and the type of pump you need.
If your sump pump is clogged, you may hear strange noises like gurgling, grinding, clicking, or rattling. You may also notice a visible clog in the sump pit or see water pooling around the sump pit. If the area around the sump pump smells bad, this may also be a sign of stagnant water and a clog. The sump pump may also run continuously or will kick on and off frequently as it tries to discharge water.
The most common cause of a clogged sump pump is natural debris buildup. As water enters the sump pit, it can carry small pieces of debris that build up over time, or the debris can get caught in the filter. If you forget to cover the pit after cleaning the sump pump and pit, debris can also collect in the pit. Corrosion on the metal discharge pipe can also clog the pump. Additionally, if your pipes freeze, it can prevent water from draining properly and cause a clog.
How long a sump pump lasts depends on how often you use it, the type you have, and how well you maintain it. In general, the average life span of a sump pump is around 10 years. You should get at least seven years out of your sump pump unless you live in a high-risk area that is prone to regular flooding or you neglect to maintain it properly. With annual inspections, tuneups, and repairs by a sump pump specialist or plumber, your pump could last a couple of decades.
Thankfully, you do have a few sump pump backup options in case it fails. One option is a battery-powered backup sump pump. Another option is using a portable backup generator as a power supply for your sump pump. Unlike a battery-powered backup which has limited power, a generator can run around the clock for as long as you need it.
Or you can opt for a water-powered backup pump, which uses your home’s water supply as a source of power. However, this may not be the best option if you find your house frequently has low water pressure.
There are several things you can do to maintain your sump pump and prevent sump pump problems. For instance, keeping a lid on your sump pit goes a long way in protecting your pump system from silt, sand, dirt, and other debris. When water drains from the outside, such as along your foundation, or with melting snow, water runoff often brings sediment with it.
Also be wary of corrosion, particularly if your sump pump system is made of metal. Keep an eye out for rust and have it inspected regularly by a plumber or sump pump technician.
