A sump pump is one of the most critical structures in your homestead. This is because it collects all the groundwater then redirects it elsewhere where it will be safe and far from the house. Without a sump pump, groundwater could accumulate, causing floods that may damage your house’s foundation.
Do you clean your sump pump regularly? Cleaning the sump pump from time to time is essential to keep it working. I will cover some sump pump cleaning tips that you should consider trying.
Sump Pump Cleaning Tips for Longevity and Efficiency
Cleaning your sump pump is not a hard task if you know what to do. Follow these simple steps to clean your sump pump.
a. Gather all the required tools
Before you start cleaning the sump pump, make sure you gather all the equipment that you will use during the process. They include:
- A garden hose
- Large bucket
- Plastic sheeting
- A shop vacuum
- Scraping object
b. Put the water in the house off
Make sure you turn off all the taps whose water drains straight to the sump pump. These are like the washing machine or the bathtubs. After turning off, ensure that no one uses the fixtures at the moment, you will be doing the clean-up.
I would also advise you to do the cleaning when it is not raining. This is because if you clean when it is raining, water might fail to drain out of the sump pump since the drainage surrounding might be flooded.
c. Switch off power
To observe safety while cleaning the sump pump, you must disconnect the source of power. You can do this by just unplugging the pump from the socket. Alternatively, you can turn off the circuit at the breaker that is taking power to the sump pump.
d. Cover the pump using a plastic sheet
Disconnecting the pump from the sump pit can be so messy if not done correctly. Therefore, you should wrap the pump at the end using a plastic sheet to prevent the dirt inside the pump from getting to the floor. Take the pump outside in a convenient place where you will have enough space to clean.
e. Rinse the pump
Connect your garden hose pipe to tap. Direct the hose to the pump to rinse off the pump. Put water in the pump until you remove the top layer of dirt. Take your scraping tool and start to scrub to remove all the dirt. Make sure you have a long tool that should enter more than half of the pump’s length.
In case your tool cannot move from one end to the other, scrub one side then move to the other until the whole pump is complete. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the dirt.
f. Open the check valve
Take your bucket and put it under the check valve where water drains into the sump pump. Open the valve to allow any water to empty in the bucket.
g. Remove any standing water from the pit
Use a shop vacuum to remove any water at the bottom of the sump pit. This is necessary since your pump will not get messy once reconnected back to the sump pit.
h. Connect your pump back
Reconnect the sump pump to the discharge pipe. Check whether the valve is in place. Plug back to power and switch on the power. Your sump pump is now clean and ready for use.
Sump Pump Maintenance Practices
A sump pump might become too expensive to maintain, especially if it gets blocked regularly. Also, in case you do not know how to clean it that you have to call a plumber, you might end up using too much money to unblock it. Several maintenance tips will be of help.
Test the sump pump frequently. You need to pour some water into the pit that will be able to lift the float switch. This will engage the sump pump where, if in good condition, it is supposed to pump water from the sump pit and shut off once done.
Check whether the float is moving freely, plus the position of the valve. Ensure that water does not run back to the discharge pipe.
Clean the sump pit at least once in a year. Cleaning will help remove any sand, debris, and other dirt from the pit, resulting in pumping efficiency. A vacuum will work perfectly in cleaning the sump pit.
Lubricate the moving parts with appropriate grease if needed.
Have powerback up. In case your home experience power outages, you need to look for an alternative source of power to keep the pump working. Always ensure that the battery is charged. Also, replace the battery when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can one use cleaning bleach to clean a sump pit?
A: Yes, using bleach is okay. However, you must make sure you rinse the pit thoroughly using hot water. This will help to remove any bleach residue that can corrode the tank with time.
Q: Is it necessary to disinfect the sump pump?
A: No, it is not. The sump water goes straight to the storm sewer, where it will not pose any threat to humans. It is, therefore, not a must to disinfect the sump pump. Just use hot water to rinse the sump pump.
Q: What can one use to clean a sump pit that has a bad smell?
A: Mix equal amounts of water plus vinegar to make a solution. Use the mixture to rinse out the pit hence removing the bad smell.
Final Words
With the above sump pump cleaning tips, I am certain that you can clean your sump pump easily and efficiently. Ensure you clean it regularly, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. A clean sump pump functions efficiently.
If you cannot do the cleaning by yourself, do not hesitate to call a plumber. Lastly, never wait for it to stop working so you can clean as it will cost more money and may lead to property damage.