Homeowners who have always lived in the city or the suburbs don’t know the joys of owning a sump pump. On the other hand, all you rural property owners are very familiar with this critical piece of household plumbing. But do you know how to replace a sump pump gone bad?
A sump pump may seem like a complicated piece of machinery. It’s really not. Some pump replacement is a manageable task for any homeowner with a basic set of hand tools, a little bit of plumbing knowledge, and moderate DIY skills.
Replacing a sump pump with no knowledge or skills could prove challenging. That’s when you call a plumber like Utah-based Beehive Plumbing. Beehive services three counties in the greater Salt Lake City region.
Here is my step-by-step guide for replacing a sump pump:
1. Cut the Power and Disconnect
The sump pump involves both water and electricity. So the first and most important step is to shut off the electricity before disconnecting the pump. If your sump pump has its own dedicated circuit breaker, great. If not, you will need to figure out which circuit it’s on.
With the power off, unplug the pump and disconnect the discharge pipe. It’s likely secured with either a couple of clamps or something that’s not tightly fitted. Be careful and prepare for some water leakage.
2. Remove the Old Pump
With the pump unplugged and the discharge pipe removed, you are ready to take the pump out. Just lift it out of the crock (the hole in the floor). You probably want to wear gloves for a better grip. Gloves also protect your hands from any nasties stuck to the pump.
3. Clean the Crock
Step #3 is probably the dirtiest and most labor-intensive part of the process. With a flashlight, check the crock for any debris. If you find anything, you’ll have to remove it. Why? Because debris can make its way into the new pump where it can build up and do extensive damage.
If you are lucky, the crock will be dry and easy to clean. But if not, you’re going to have to get your arms wet. That’s just the way it goes.
4. Prepare the New Pump
Preparing the new pump for installation is the next step. It should come with a set of instructions. Read them carefully. There should be information about compatibility with crock dimensions and discharge plumbing. You will need to understand it to ensure that your new pump will work.
The pump may require some assembly. Take care of that next. In most cases, homeowner assembly includes installing the check valve. The pump should come with instructions explaining how to do it.
5. Install the New Pump
Keep going; you’re almost done. It’s now time to place the pump in the crock and hook it up by reversing the previous process. Make sure the pump is stable and level inside the pit. Make sure it is upright and its flow switch can move freely. Then connect the discharge pipe and ensure all fittings are secure. Tighten the clamps just enough to keep the discharge pipe fixed in place.
That’s about it. If you have a weep hole in the discharge pipe, make sure it’s not clogged. If there is no weep hole, grab a drill and create one. A weep hole prevents air lock.
All that is left to do now is test the pump. Grab a garden hose and fill the crock far enough to trigger the pump. If you did everything right, it should kick in and begin removing the water.
