How to Unclog a Sump Pump
- Clear out the discharge pipes. Check if there’s anything blocking the outlet of the discharge pipes. ...
- Clean the sump pit and intake strainer. Open the lid of the basin. ...
- Unclog the pump’s inlet and impeller. Disconnect the pump’s connections and take it out of the pit. ...
- Check for other possible issues. ...
- Contact your plumber. ...
How do I unclog my sump pump?
Unplug the sump pump and float from the electrical outlet. Remove the sump basin's lid. Inspect the screen or small opening where the water enters the pump. Use a head lamp or flashlight to examine the pump while it is still in the basin. If you cannot clearly see the pump intake, lift the pump out of the pit,...
How to fix a sump pump that won’t drain?
It could be ice from the winter or a stuck animal. You can also use a plumber’s snake to dislodge any clogs inside the pipes. Remove all objects and try to test the pump by letting a hose fill the sump pit with water. If the water level goes down, then you’ve cleared the clog. If not, move to step two. Open the lid of the basin.
How do you clear a clogged drain pipe?
Another more difficult to remove type of blockage is sediment inside the discharge pipe. If the blockage is near the front of the pipes you may be able to remove it by hand. When sand, dirt and other smell sentiment builds up deep in the lines you may need to use a wet/dry shop vac or call a professional plumber.
How do you clean a sump pump basin?
Scoop as much debris or silt out of the sump basin as possible. Wipe up any dirt or debris that is clinging to the walls of the sump basin.
How do you tell if sump pump discharge pipe is clogged?
If the drain pipe, also called the discharge pipe, gets clogged, the pump can't move water from your basement to the outside of your home. If the water in your sump pit is moving slowly, or not at all, the drain pipe may be blocked by debris.
Can you put Drano in a sump pump?
Yes, Drano is safe to put down most drains. If one bottle does not clear the sewage backup you will need to use a plumber's snake.
What causes a sump pump to clog?
A sump pump can clog up in many ways: The sump pit (the hole in which the sump pump sits) gets clogged with dirt and debris. The pump's mechanical parts become clogged and dirty over time, especially if the sump sits straight against the bottom of a dirty sump pit where silt typically accumulates.
Why is my sump pump not draining?
Check to make sure that there is no debris in or around the pit of your sump pump. If there is, remove it. Take a look at your sump pump's filter to see if it is clogged. If it is, then clean it off.
How do you unclog a basement drain without a snake?
Start by pouring a pot of boiling hot water down the drain, followed by ½ cup baking soda. Let that sit a few minutes, then pour a mixture of one cup of vinegar and one cup of very hot water on top of the baking soda. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, then flush it one last time with another pot of boiling water.
How do you fix a slow draining basement?
Try a Plunger: A minor clog should clear after a few strong pumps with a plunger. Place the plunger cup so it completely covers the drain opening, and then go for it! Baking Soda & Vinegar: Plunger didn't do the trick? Try pouring baking soda down the drain, then chase it with a healthy amount of white vinegar.
How do you discharge a sump pump pipe?
How to Install a Sump PumpAttach Check Valve to Discharge Pipe. ... Take Your Measurements.Attach Adapter to PVC Pipe. ... Test the Sump Pump & Float. ... Drill the Weep Hole. ... Cut the PVC Piping.Drop Pump Into the Pit. ... Attach Discharge Pipe to Check Valve.More items...
How do you clean the inside of a sump pump?
Remove Your Sump Pump from the Pit. First, unplug the sump pump to make sure water doesn't back up into your basement. ... Soak with Vinegar-Water Solution. ... Rinse with Hot Water. ... Clean the Drainage Pipe. ... Put the Sump Pump Back and Turn It On. ... Run a Cycle With Clean Water (Optional) ... Keep to a Regular Cycle. ... Check the Drain Pipes.More items...
What drains into sump pump?
Usually, sump pumps are installed in specially constructed sump pits. Water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump's job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawlspace stays dry.
Do submersible pumps get clogged?
If the submersible pump that circulates water through the well on your residential piece of property becomes clogged with debris, water won't move through it in a consistent manner, resulting in uneven water pressure coming out of faucets when they are turned on.
Should a sump pump have standing water in it?
It's perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to always have some water in it. This water can be the result of rain, snowmelt, or seepage from the ground. That being said, when the water rises to a certain level, this should trigger your sump pump's float switch. This will cause the pump to turn on and start working.
How do you remove calcium deposits from a sump pump?
0:205:10Sump Pump Calcium build-up Fix and repair Zoeller Pump - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGot stuck and you see a lot of rust in there as well so first thing including add this pump into aMoreGot stuck and you see a lot of rust in there as well so first thing including add this pump into a bucket of water you wanna add on top of that the product is the clr.
Why does my pump stop working?
One of the most common causes of pump failure is sentiment build up and clogging your the drain line forcing water to pool in the pit. As the discharge lines get more and more clogged the blockage will continue to get worse until the line can no longer drain.
Can a clogged sump pump cause flooding?
A clogged sump can lead to unexpected basement flooding and other mechanical problems if not prevented with seasonal maintenance and regular drain line checks. In this article we will show you how to fix a clogged sump pump as well as a few tips and tricks to keep sentiment from building up in your drain lines.
How to stop a sump pump from clogging?
The simplest way to prevent your sump pump from clogging is to line the sump basin with some type of filter fabric (mesh) that will prevent most types of debris from entering the pump.
What can get stuck in sump pump?
Because the pump is designed to pull water up from the bottom of the sump pit, various forms of debris, such as pieces of leaves, sticks and small rocks can become lodged in the pump or the hose. Dirt can also build up in the pump or hose to the point of it preventing water from passing. It is helpful to understand how a sump pump works ...
How does a sump pump work?
A sump pump uses an impeller to suck water up from the bottom of the sump pit and pushes the water through the inside of the pump, or chamber, and then out into the hose that empties into the drain. The sump pump will not be able to pump water if any of these three structures becomes clogged.
Why is my sump pump hose clogged?
While a clogged hose can be caused by small rocks or sticks, a clogged hose is usually the result of sediment build up on the inside wall of the hose. Most sump-pump hoses are made of corrugated plastic, and the valleys between the ridges are perfect traps for sediment.
What to do if pump is stuck in chamber?
If the pump still seems to be clogged, something must be lodged inside the pump’s chamber. If you are mechanically inclined, you can take the pump apart, usually with a screwdriver depending on the make and model of pump, to see if something is stuck in the chamber. Otherwise, you may need to call a plumber.
Can a sump pump handle solids?
It’s not uncommon for that number to be zero, meaning the sump pump isn’t designed to handle solids at all. Make sure that the size of the holes in your mesh does not exceed this number. That way no solid will ever enter your sump pump that’s too big for your pump.
Can clay build up inside a hose?
Clay particles are very sticky and build up inside the hose and trap other forms of debris, such as silt and decaying leaves. Over time, the buildup can become great enough to completely stop the flow of water.
Why is my sump pit moving slowly?
If the water in your sump pit is moving slowly, or not at all, the drain pipe may be blocked by debris. You can repair this by cleaning the pipe. This is a task that most homeowners can accomplish themselves without assistance from a plumber.
How to get a snake out of a pipe?
Insert a plumber's snake into the end of the pipe that was connected to the pump, and then try to push the snake through toward the other end. Hold the pipe over a bucket or sink, and spray water down the pipe using a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle if the plumber’s snake doesn’t remove blockage.
How do I remove a drain pipe from a house?
The end of the drain pipe will be located outside of the house/basement. Typically, the pipe will drain onto a downslope that leads away from the house. If the end of the drain/discharge pipe has a screen in place, remove it. Also remove any debris that has accumulated on the screen.
How do I get rid of a drainage pipe?
Run a plumber's snake/auger through the drainage pipe. Start at the end of the pipe that connected to the pump and push the auger through the pipe. If the blockage will not budge, use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle to spray water down the drainage pipe. If possible, connect the garden hose to a hot water outlet, as hot water will help loosen the blockage.
How to get water out of a pit?
You may use either a wet-dry vacuum or a hand siphon to suck the water out of the pit. If you don't have access to either, simply use a small container, such as a coffee can, to manually dip the water out of the pit. Advertisement.
Can a pump repair a flood?
In fact, a good pump can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in potential flood damage repair. Even the best pump, however, cannot perform its job if the drainage/discharge pipe is blocked. If you discover that your pump's drainage line is plugged, you should attempt to clear it as soon as possible.
Do sump pumps work in basements?
Things You'll Need. Sump pumps perform an invaluable service in homes and basements that are prone to flooding. In fact, a good pump can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in potential flood damage repair. Even the best pump, however, cannot perform its job if the drainage/discharge pipe is blocked. If you discover that your pump's drainage line ...
Why do sump pumps clog?
When the sump pump inlet clogs often because debris regularly enters the sump basin, consider addressing the source of the debris.
What happens when a sump pump fails to remove water?
When a sump pump fails to efficiently remove water, either the outlet pipe or sump pump inlet is plugged. Inspect the outlet on the discharge pipe. Depending on its position in the landscape, it could easily become clogged by debris, dirt, a tennis ball or another object.
Why is a sump pump important?
A sump pump, when functioning properly, can serve a valuable role in home maintenance, particularly during wet weather as it removes water from a crawlspace, basement or other low area that could otherwise see flooding. When a sump pump fails to efficiently remove water, either the outlet pipe or sump pump inlet is plugged.
How to inspect a water pump?
Inspect the screen or small opening where the water enters the pump. Use a head lamp or flashlight to examine the pump while it is still in the basin. If you cannot clearly see the pump intake, lift the pump out of the pit, setting it in the bucket or on a tarp if the flooring material is sensitive to water.
