If you’ve ever had a plumbing emergency and need help fixing it, there’s no better time to call for professional help than after you’ve already tried to fix the problem yourself. That’s because sometimes even a plumber will have trouble fixing something when they don’t know how the problem got started in the first place! Below are steps for how to clean a sump pump, or drain pipe yourself at home.
1. Disconnect the sump pump from the electrical power supply
First, disconnect the sump pump from the electrical power supply. If you can’t get to your sump pump’s electrical connections, turn off its main water supply. This will turn off all power to the pump as well as any other switches or outlets that may be powered by that circuit. If you are unsure how to do this, call Admiral Plumbing Service for help.
2. Run a hose from the cleanout to outside
The second step is to run a hose from the cleanout to the outside. This will allow you to see what’s going on inside the pipe and determine if you need to use a drain snake or other tool to clear it.
If you don’t have access to one, use a wire hanger as a makeshift snake by threading it through your cleanout, then pulling it back out through the pipe until there’s nothing left in there but air.
If this doesn’t do the trick, try using a plunger or even pouring boiling water down into your sump pump drain pipe until everything is cleared out.
3. Run the hose back inside and empty the sump pump into a bin or container
Once you’ve finished cleaning the drain pipe, run the hose back inside and empty the sump pump into the bin or container.
Once that’s done, it’s time to test your work! Turn on your sump pump and see if it drains properly into your sump well. If not, try unplugging it again and starting over with step 1 (removing debris from the drain).
4. Turn the power supply back on
The last thing you need to do is turn the power supply back on. Make sure that the pump is off before you begin any work on it—check the fuse box and circuit breaker or fuse panel first. Call a professional if you are not sure whether or not it’s safe to operate your sump pump at this time.
Unable to fix it yourself? Call professional plumbing emergency help.
If you are unfamiliar with the tools and materials required to fix your sump pump drain pipe, then it is best to call in a professional. It is also important not to use tools that are not meant for plumbing or materials that are not meant for the job.
For example, if you have a plastic drain pipe, you should not be using steel-cutting blades as this can cause damage over time. Check out this video.
How often does a sump pump need to be cleaned?
A sump pump should be cleaned every six months to a year. This will depend on the amount of water you have in your pit, the type of sump pump you have and whether or not there are any issues with the system. If you live in an area where flooding is common, then it is a good idea to clean your sump pump more often.
You should also clean your sump pit once or twice a year. This will prevent any debris from clogging your pump and causing it to fail. If you do not clean your sump pump regularly, then you could end up with water damage in your basement.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to clean a sump pump drain pipe, you can tackle this project on your own. If you are not sure how to clean the sump pump, call your local plumbers for quick solutions.
