First you may be asking, what is a sump pump? A sump pump is installed underneath the floor of basements to collect water in the ground before it can threaten to flood your home. It is very common that during long periods of rain water can rise through the cracks in the foundation of your home. To stop the water from entering your home, the water flows into the sump pump through drains. The sump pump will collect all the water and pump it away from your home so that the inside of your home will stay dry. To make sure your sump pump stays working properly cleaning it occasionally is important.
Here are the steps to cleaning your sump pump:
Step 1 – Shut Off Power Source
Safety comes first, turn off your sump pump and unplug it from its electrical power source. Make sure no one in your house is using anything that may drain into the sump pump, like a washing machine. Always wear gloves.
Step 2 – Disconnect the Pump from its Discharge Pipe
Locate where the discharge pipe is connected and disconnect it.
Step 3 – Clean Your Sump Pump
Wrap your pump in plastic to make sure nothing drips onto your floor. Take the pump outside where your hose is located and rinse off any dirt, soot, or debris that may be on the surface of your pump. You may need to use a plastic scraper or putty knife to clean out any caked-on sludge and dirt. Leave the pump outside or on the floor of your basement to fully dry before plugging it back in.
Step 4 – Remove Standing Water
Drain any standing water from the sump pit using a wet/dry vac. Place a bucket under your check valve and let the water drain into there.
Step 5 – Reconnect Your Pump
Once your pump is thoroughly dry, reconnect your pump to the discharge pipe and plug it back into its electrical source.
While cleaning your sump pump you should look for any possible damage or cracked components. If you think there may be some damage to your pump or you’d rather have us clean it for you, call us! We can come to take a look and let you know if anything is wrong. We also install new units if your sump pump is old or not functioning properly. Contact us for any of your sump pump or plumbing needs!
