Sump pump winter maintenance

Sump pumps are usually thought of as a spring job, but winter brings its own risks: snowmelt, winter rain and frozen discharge lines. A pump that cannot get water out of the house will run until it burns out, and the basement floods anyway.

Protect the discharge line

The discharge line carries water from the pump to the outside. If water sits in it and freezes, the pump pushes against a solid block of ice.

• Remove hose extensions for the winter. Flexible hoses on the ground hold water and freeze easily. Put them back in spring.
• Check the slope. The line should run downhill away from the house so water drains out between cycles.
• Keep the outlet clear of snow, ice and leaves.
• Consider a freeze-protected discharge fitting, a grated fitting near the house that lets water escape if the line beyond it freezes.
• Insulate any section of discharge pipe that runs through an unheated space.

Test the pump

1. Pour a bucket of water into the pit until the float rises.
2. Watch that the pump starts, empties the pit and shuts off.
3. Go outside and confirm water is coming out of the discharge.

Other checks

• Float. Make sure cords or debris cannot pin it.
• Check valve. If the pump turns on and off every few seconds, the check valve may be letting water fall back into the pit.
• Power. Plug the pump into a working outlet; if it is on a GFCI, test that it has not tripped.
• Pit. Clear out gravel, silt and debris.

Plan for power outages

Winter storms knock out power, and snowmelt can raise groundwater at the same time. A battery backup pump, a water-powered backup where allowed, or a generator connection keeps water moving. A simple water alarm in the pit is an inexpensive early warning.

When to repair or replace

If the pump struggles, runs constantly or is more than about seven to ten years old, deal with it before a storm, not during one. Our sump pump repair cost and sump pump installation cost guides cover what each option usually costs.