5 Tips On How to Drain Water When the Sump Pump Fails

Sump pumps are critical since they remove the unwanted water that accumulates in the basements of most homes outside of earthquake country. If the sump pump breaks and water backs up, you need to find a plumbing solution and fast.

You cannot drain sump water into the municipal sewer system, so you have to drain it outside of your home. Keep in mind that the longer the water sits, the more damage it will do to your basement, furnishings, appliances, and electronics.

Standing water creates the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth, which can stain walls and make the basement smell musty, making it an unpleasant place to be.

In every case, the quicker you remove the standing water, the better.

Here are 5 Tips To Drain Water If Your Sump Pump Fails

1. For small amounts of water, mop it up using a hand mop. Deposit the water into the bucket and dump the bucket outside. If you have deeper water, first use the bucket to remove as much water as possible, then mop up the rest. Dump the wastewater at least 20 feet away from the house so it doesn’t make its way back into your basement.
2. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the water, then dump it outside. The larger, 5 or 10 gallons wet/dry vacuums are most suitable for this task. Dump at least 20 feet away from the house.
3. If the power is out, remove the water from a hand pump. You begin by inserting the hand pump directly into the sump pump hole. Take a garden hose and attach it to the threaded discharge end of the hand pump. To make the connection watertight, use adjustable pliers. Run the hose out the window so the water is dumped into your yard, at least 20 feet from your house.
4. Use a utility pump with a garden hose attached to the threaded outlet. It must have a water-tight connection so tighten it with adjustable pliers. The floor-sucker type needs a flat surface to rest, so you can use things like a brick if a flat surface isn’t available.
5. Serious flooding demands a trash-water pump. After a serious downpour or another water emergency, a trash pump will remove the water fast. These gas-fueled pumps can remove thousands of gallons of water per hour. Note: you will need specialized hoses for this type of pump.

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