How to Clean out a Sump Pit

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Co-authored by David Balkan and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

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Disconnecting the Pump

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Cleaning the Pump and Pit

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

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.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Disconnecting the Pump

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1
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.^{[1]
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  David Balkan
  Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
  
  Expert Interview}
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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.
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Unplug the sump pump and turn off the breaker that powers the pump just to be safe.
That way you can carry it outdoors without dripping sludge on your carpet or flooring.

Part 2

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Cleaning the Pump and Pit

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1
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.^{[2]
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- When you’re finished cleaning the pump, let it air dry outside.
EXPERT TIP

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
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.
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Set them aside for now.
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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.^{[4]
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- Wear a mask while you work if the smell is bad.
Restore any drainage systems to the sump pump.

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Question

What do you use to clean a sump pit?

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

Professional Plumber

Expert Answer

It's very simple! All you really need is a set of gardening gloves and a couple of regular household wrenches.

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Question

How often should you clean your sump pump pit?

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

Professional Plumber

Expert Answer

Try to clean out your sump pump pit around once or twice a year, if you can. Over time, grit or dirt can get into the sump, which can foul the pump.

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Question

Can I put bleach in a sump pump to clean it?

Community Answer

I would use CLR. Bleach has chlorine, which can initiate or accelerate corrosion of some components.

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Tips

You do not want sand, hair or solid particles in the sump pit. Pump liquid only.

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Do not pump alcohol, petroleum products or anything flammable with a sump pump. Pump only water and water-dissolved particles.

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Warnings

When re-positioning the sump pump in the pit, be sure that the float is freely moving. If it becomes stuck, your pump will either stay on and burn up or stay off and flood your house.

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