How to Clean Your Sump Pump

Regular cleaning of your sump pump basin, check valve, discharge pipe, and the pump itself will help keep your sump pump system functioning properly, making sure it’s ready to protect your home from costly, messy water damage. 

Why Does My Sump Pump Need Cleaning? 

The water that gathers in your sump pump basin comes from outside — and that means it contains dirt, bacteria, and debris. Cleaning your sump pump basin and the equipment inside it removes that material before it can build up in your system, clogging your pump, disabling your float switch, or keeping your check valve from working properly. Regularly cleaning your sump pump basin will also help keep bacteria, mold, or algae from growing in the pit and causing unpleasant odors throughout the home.

How Often Should My Sump Pump Basin Be Cleaned?

For most homeowners, the basin should be cleaned quarterly, or every three months. If you notice that a large amount of material tends to build up in the basin between cleanings, consider cleaning it more often or consulting a plumber to find out why your basin collects so much dirt and debris.

If your sump pump doesn’t run often, small amounts of water may sit in it for a long time, making the system more likely to grow excessive bacteria, algae, or mold. If that’s the case, it is even more important to clean out the basin on a quarterly basis.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean My Sump Pump System?

Do-it-yourself sump pump cleaning is easy and inexpensive — and you will save countless dollars and better protect your home by keeping the system working smoothly. You can call in a plumber to clean your sump pump system, of course, but that will cost considerably more than doing it yourself.

Most of the supplies needed are common household items like buckets, vinegar or bleach, and sponges. The most expensive equipment used for routine maintenance is a wet-dry vacuum or shop vac, available for $30 to $200 at discount and home improvement stores. Cleaning agents designed to solve specific problems, like bacteria buildup, are available at hardware stores and typically cost $10 to $70 for a supply lasting several months. While there are sump pump systems that have a “self-cleaning” function, if you don’t have one of these systems, cleaning the sump pump basin by hand is necessary. 

How Do I Clean My Sump Pump Basin?

1. Gather the Right Supplies

Cleaning the sump pump and basin requires a few ordinary household items:

  • Empty bucket
  • Bucket of hot water
  • Shop vac
  • Garbage bag
  • White vinegar or household bleach
  • Spray bottle
  • Trowel, small shovel, or large spoon
  • Brush (like a toilet brush) or scrubber
  • Sponge or rags
  • Scraper or screwdriver
  • Plastic or rubber gloves
  • Flashlight

2. Exercise the Pump

One of the simplest ways to ensure your sump pump basin remains clear of dirt and debris is to make the pump run. This is sometimes called “exercising” the pump. Exercising the pump will remove some of the material that might have collected there since the last time the pump ran, and it also creates an opportunity to inspect the inside of the basin by emptying it.

To exercise the pump, manually lift the float switch to turn it on, or pour clean water into the basin until the pump turns on. (Triggering the pump by pouring water is actually a good way to test your float switch, to confirm that it’s capable of turning on the pump when water levels rise.)

3. Unplug, Disconnect and Remove the Pump 

As soon as the pump turns off, unplug it. Leave the pump unplugged throughout the entire cleaning process, until you have reassembled the system and are ready to test it.

A significant amount of debris can be hiding under or behind the sump pump, so in order to thoroughly clean the basin, it’s necessary to remove the pump entirely. 

While the basin is empty and the pump is unplugged, disconnect the discharge pipe from the pump so you can remove the pump from the basin. Have a bucket handy to catch any water left in the discharge pipe. Place the pump in a garbage bag or a large plastic container and set aside while you clean the basin. 

4. Inspect the Basin

While the basin is empty, inspect the inside. 

Odor Coming from Sump Pump Basin

A healthy, clean sump pump system should have little to no noticeable odor — so give it a sniff. If you notice a strong, unpleasant odor, there is likely an overgrowth of bacteria, mold, or algae. 

Debris in Sump Pump Basin

Look inside the basin. If there is sediment (dirt or clay) or debris visible on the sides and/or bottom, scoop it out with a spoon or trowel, or use a shop vac to vacuum it out. This video details this part of the cleaning process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gpWQQXYoqY

If there is a lot of debris in your sump pump basin, try to determine its source. Debris that flows in with the water, like dirt or gravel, may be unavoidable and is the reason regular cleanings are an essential part of home maintenance. 

If the debris looks like it’s coming from somewhere else, however, it might be blowing or falling in from within the basement. Make sure your sump pump basin has a properly fitted cover to prevent toys, trash, paper, leaves, and other objects from falling into the basin. These items could damage or destroy your pump.

Sludge in Sump Pump Basin

If there is dark reddish-brown sludge in the basin, you may have an overgrowth of iron bacteria, or iron ochre. These bacteria create a thick, slimy deposit in your sump pump system that can corrode pipes and clog equipment.

This video on sump pump maintenance includes a good view of iron ochre and tips for dealing with it

Remove iron ochre from your sump pump basin

Remove as much of the sludge as you can, either manually or with a shop vac; this sludge is much easier to remove wet than dry. To deter overgrowth of this bacteria, use a product like Iron Out, added to the system monthly. 

Black or greenish-black sludge may be mold or algae that is growing in the basin. In either case, thoroughly cleaning the basin with vinegar or bleach will kill and remove the sludge. Adding bleach on a monthly basis should prevent regrowth without harming your sump pump system components.

5. Clean the Basin with Bleach or Vinegar

To clean the basin and get rid of any odors, gently but thoroughly scrub or wipe down the walls and lid of the basin. Pay particular attention to corners, cracks, or crevices where dirt or bacteria can build up. 

Use diluted vinegar (about one part vinegar to two parts water), applied via spray bottle or sponge, or diluted bleach (simply mix a few tablespoons of bleach with a bucket of hot water) to wipe out the entire basin. 

Vinegar vs Bleach — Which Is Best?

Whether you use vinegar or bleach is largely a matter of personal preference. Both are safe for sump pump system components, and can be poured into the basin periodically (in small amounts) to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, or algae and head off unpleasant smells. 

Some homeowners dislike the smell of bleach, even in small quantities, but dropping a bleach tablet into the basin every few months is a good way to prevent the growth of mold, algae, or bacteria. There are also odor control tablets you can drop into your sump basin to reduce bacterial growth.

6. Clean the Discharge Pipe

Wipe off the outside and opening of the discharge pipe and look inside to make sure it’s free from debris. Pour water into the pipe to make sure it’s clear and open. If you see a blockage, clear it with a straightened wire clothes hanger or plumbing snake.

7. Clean the Check Valve

Examine your check valve to make sure it operates smoothly and is free from dirt or debris. Even a small piece of gravel can keep the valve’s moving parts from functioning properly.

8. Clean the Sump Pump Exterior

While you probably don’t need to clean your sump pump as often as you clean the basin, it’s still important to give the pump some attention at least annually — some experts say every six months — to make sure it functions properly. 

The most convenient time to clean your sump pump is during a basin cleaning, since you will have already unplugged and disconnected the pump and removed it from the basin.

The easiest cleaning method is to carry the pump outside and rinse it with a garden hose. Use a brush, scraper, or screwdriver to dislodge any caked-on debris. Do not disassemble the pump or open its housing, which can compromise the seals that keep water away from the pump’s electronics. 

After removing debris from the outside of the pump, place it back in the basin, reconnect the discharge pipe, dry off all power cords, and plug the pump back in. Pour a cleaning solution into the basin — either one part white vinegar in two parts water, or a few tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Add enough solution to trigger the float switch, and the pump should turn on; as it removes the cleaning solution from the basin, the inside of the pump will get cleaned.