Cleaning Out Your Sump Pump | Excalibur Plumbing

If you have a basement in your home and you happen to live in an area with a high-ground water level, there’s a good chance that you have a sump pump in your basement. Sump pumps are handy devices that remove water from basements to prevent flooding and costly damage.

If your basement has been renovated into a home gym, a “man cave,” or a family room where the whole family can watch television, play video games, relax or even play ping pong, you surely don’t want a flood to destroy your furnishings and expensive equipment.

This is where a sump pump comes in; the sump pump ensures that during a heavy downpour, your basement doesn’t flood. However, like many appliances, sump pumps have to be maintained in order to ensure they work when you need them.

Occasionally sump pumps need to be cleaned, and below we’ll explain how to do it. You’ll need these supplies:

Bucket
Plastic scraper or putty knife
Garden hose
Wet/dry shop vac
Plastic sheet to keep the area dry

Steps for Cleaning Your Sump Pump

Step 1. The first thing you want to do is unplug the pump from the electrical source so you don’t get electrocuted. Or, you can go to the circuit breaker panel and shut off the circuit that sends power to the sump pump.

Step 2. Next, find the discharge pipe that’s connected to the pump, and disconnect it.

Step 3. In order to prevent a big mess, you wrap the pump inside the plastic sheet so sludge and dirt won’t spill all over the floor. Then, take the pump outside so you can rinse it off.

Step 4. You use your garden hose to rinse off any dirt, sludge, and debris. If you notice caked-on sludge and dirt, you use a putty knife or a plastic scraper to remove it.

Step 5. Remove any standing water in the sump pit by using your wet/dry shop vac. To drain water from the check valve, place a bucket underneath to catch the dripping water. To clean the check valve, remove it and rinse it off. Then, put it back.

Step 6. Once you’re all finished, connect your pump back up to the discharge pipe and don’t forget to plug in the power cord.

If you need a sump pump serviced or replaced, contact an Austin plumber from Excalibur Plumbing!