How to Clean out a Sump Pit

Ventric

Editor

posted on 18 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Sump pits can become nasty and gooey. If you have never cleaned a sump pit, you do not know what you have been missing. Cleaning your sump pit is the activity for which you have always longed. The process is actually pretty simple. You’ll just need to remove the sump pump from the pit, vacuum out the standing water, and remove any debris.

Steps

Disconnecting the Pump

Ensure that all systems that drain to the pit are out of use and locked. For example, if your companion starts to wash clothes while the pump is off, you will have a flood. Put on a pair of heavy-duty gloves before you start cleaning out your sump pit.

Get adequate lighting for the project. Basements and utility rooms are usually too dark to see the bottom of the pit. Use a flashlight or headlamp to help you see what you’re doing as you work.

Disconnect the power to the sump pump. Unplug the sump pump and turn off the breaker that powers the pump just to be safe.

Disconnect the pump motor from the discharge pipe and lift it out of the pit.

Place the pump in a bucket or wrap it in heavy plastic. That way you can carry it outdoors without dripping sludge on your carpet or flooring.

Cleaning the Pump and Pit

Scrape and wash sludge and crud off the exterior of pump. Rinse off the pump with a hose outside. Scrape off any stubborn, caked-on grime with a putty knife or plastic scraper. When you’re finished cleaning the pump, let it air dry outside. EXPERT TIP David Balkan David Balkan Professional Plumber David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award. David Balkan David Balkan Professional Plumber Add check valves to pump outflows. Put a simple check valve on the outflow discharge pipe of any sump pump. This will stop water from flowing back into the sump pit after the pump shuts off. This keeps the area pumped dry.

Use a wet-vac/shop-vac to remove all the remaining water from the pit.

Remove any bricks you find at the bottom of the pit. Set them aside for now.

Scrape and scoop out debris and sludge. This sludge is detergent and soap residue if you have a washer or shower draining to the sump. The odor could make you feel nauseous. Wear a mask while you work if the smell is bad.