Keep your home’s anti-flooding hero ready for action
Routine sump pump maintenance includes monthly testing to ensure your pump activates when water rises, helping you catch failures before basement flooding occurs.
Sump pump replacement costs range from $300 to $800, so staying on top of maintenance helps you avoid unexpected expenses during storm season.
Deep clean your sump pump and pit annually by removing debris, hosing down the pump outdoors, and vacuuming the pit to prevent clogs.
Hiring a local sump pump installation professional provides reliable support for annual inspections, backup battery checks, and ensuring your system meets local codes.
A sump pump is an important part of your home’s plumbing because it pumps out excess water that can rise in your basement during a storm. It’s easy to forget about this helpful appliance since it works out of sight in a basement or crawl space. However, without regular sump pump maintenance, the device can fail, leaving you with flooding on the lowest level of your home. To keep your pump working when you need it, stay on top of monthly, seasonal, and annual sump pump maintenance tasks.
You can check if your sump pump is working by dumping water over it and seeing if it pumps away the water. By testing it month to month, you’ll spot right away when the sump pump isn't working, so you can have a pro repair it before the next big rainstorm floods your basement.
If you test the pump and it doesn’t get rid of the water, it’s time to call in a pro for repairs. If your sump pump is more than seven to 10 years old, it may be time to budget for the cost of a sump pump replacement, which is $300 to $800.
During your monthly testing, or any time you happen to be near the sump pump, give it a quick glance to make sure it’s upright. Sump pumps naturally vibrate and shift when they’re running, which can cause them to move in a way that prevents the float switch from activating the pump. The float switch signals to the sump pump that water is rising and needs to be pumped out of the home.
If the sump pump isn’t upright, it can cause too much water to sit in the sump pit. Grab the sump pump and adjust it until it is upright and stable.
A lot of dirt and debris can reach the inlet screen at the bottom of the sump pump. The inlet screen keeps that debris out of the sump pump, but over time, it can become clogged and prevent the sump pump from doing its job.
Once per season, unplug the sump pump, remove the inlet screen, and clean it with a gentle cleaning brush or old toothbrush. If your sump pump collects graywater from your washing machine, clean the inlet screen more frequently—once per month. Remember to plug the device back in after cleaning.
A deep clean involves cleaning the sump pump and the sump pit to get rid of grime buildup.
Start by disconnecting the sump pump from its power supply and removing it from its discharge pipe. You can lift the sump pump out of the pit and take it outdoors to hose it off and remove any larger debris. Remove and clean the check valve, located on the discharge pipe, and then reconnect it.
Before you put the sump pump back into the pit, clean out the pit using a wet/dry vacuum. Then, wipe it down thoroughly to remove any remaining grime. Afterward, you can place the sump pump back into the pit, reconnect the sump pump to the discharge pipe, and connect the sump pump back to its power supply. This is a good time to test the sump pump by dumping water over it.
Sump pumps work hard to keep your home free from flood waters, but that can lead to a lot of wear and tear on the device’s parts. As parts wear out, replace them as soon as possible. Sump pumps often have issues with the float switch not working, so replace this part once every two years.
When deep cleaning your sump pump, lubricate the bearings if needed. Some sump pump models need lubrication, so check your sump pump’s user manual to determine if that’s the case. If you can’t remember where you stored the manual, you can search your sump pump model online to find a digital copy. Better yet, you can hire a sump pump pro to help you with your sump pump maintenance.
During monthly or seasonal inspections, look around the discharge pipe and in the sump pit for any accumulating debris. If debris piles up and forms a clog, it will prevent the water from flowing into the pit or keep the sump pump from pumping out excess water. If you notice any debris, grab gloves and clear out the sump pump clog.
A sump pump backup keeps your sump pump running even if a storm knocks out the electricity. This means you won’t have to worry about limiting your water usage every time a storm rolls in just in case the power goes out.
You should be doing DIY inspections on your sump pump throughout the year, but it’s also important to hire a sump pump installer near you to inspect and maintain your device at least once per year.
A pro will do a (metaphorical) deep dive into your sump pump to make sure everything is working correctly. They will:
Ensure that the check valve is working properly to prevent discharged water from backflowing into the sump pit
Check that the pump and pit are free of clogs
Test the power supply to your sump pump, including the backup battery
Install a sump pit cover or make sure the existing cover is the proper fit for the sump pit opening if you have concerns over radon in your sump pit
Review the discharge location (where the sump pump expels the excess water it pumps away from the house) for compliance with local regulations
It’s important to hire a pro for an in-depth inspection because there are strict and sometimes complex codes involved in the safe operation of a sump pump. The pros will know what the law says and can offer quick repairs if anything is wrong.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C.Great experience!! Dion was prompt, professional and very polite. He is hands down the best plumber I have ever used.
Mercenary Remodeling & HandyworksCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceThe technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC pays attention to every detail, ensuring a job well done every time.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWhen we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLCFrom the beginning , every appointment was met with punctuality! The day of installation, they arrived on time and worked tirelessly all day until the job was finished. ( Even through a very heavy down pour) Ilia, the owner is a professional, knowledgeable, and fair man. He is absolutely, and...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThe service was excellent! They gave me a quote, and had it done 4 days later. My driveway looks amazing, very professional! I would definitely recommend their service to anyone. I have had neighbors stop by and ask for their information as well.
All Star Paving and SealingThey are very reliable and available. They the drains all the time
The WaterworksFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover how much sump pump installation costs, including average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on your basement waterproofing project.
Sump pump replacement costs depend on the type of unit you have and the cost of labor, which varies by region. Read on to find out more about what to expect.
Sump pump battery backup costs depend on the type and the design of the system purchased. Follow this guide to learn how to budget for your backup battery.
A sump pump doesn’t remove water from your home on its own. Check out this diagram of a sump pump to see how it works with a sump pit, discharge pipe, and more.
If something seems off with your sump pump, follow this guide to learn how to check if your sump pump is working (and what to do if it’s not).
Is it okay to dump water in a sump pump? Learn more about sump pumps, including how to test them, maintain them, and best practices for filling them with water.
