Basements come in all shapes, styles and sizes, but there’s one thing that can make any basement unbearable: a smelly sump pump. If your sump pump smells like sewage, it may be a warning sign of something far worse than an unwanted odor. Fortunately, the pros at Solution Based Plumbing, Heating and A/C have the tips you need to rise above the smell and get back to living well.
Common Causes For A Stinky Sump Pump
If your sump pump is spreading stink throughout the basement, there are several possible culprits for the stench.
- Basement Drainage – If you have a shower or a laundry setup in your basement, your sump pump is probably instrumental in draining the “greywater.” Greywater is the dirty, used water flowing from basement sinks, showers and washers. Without frequent sump pump basin cleaning, accumulated residue from the dirty water can easily become a serious nasal nuisance that smells like sewage.
- Stagnant Basin Water – There are a couple of causes for a sump pump basin that doesn’t drain well, but the result is the same: stagnant water in the sump pump basin. If you’re smelling foul water, it may be a sign that your pump has failed and is no longer pumping water out of the basin.
- Ruptured Sewage Line – This one’s the doosie, and it’s the best explanation for a sump pump that literally smells like sewage, as opposed to just stagnant water. If your sump pump smells like sewage, it may be that a sewage line has ruptured, causing sewage to leak into the groundwater. Because the purpose of your pump is to manage groundwater, your pump will start processing the sewage-tainted water. The rest is very smelly history.
What To Do If Your Sump Pump Smells Like Sewage
If you’re wrestling with a reeking sump pump resulting from stagnant water or accumulated residue, you’re far from helpless. If your sump pump is no longer pumping, you’ll need to get it checked out and repaired or replaced. In the case of accumulated laundry residue, a diluted bleach solution can work wonders for restoring your sump pump. Use 1 cup of bleach for every gallon of water, and pour the solution into the sump basin until it reaches a level high enough to activate the pump. Meanwhile, vigorously scrub the sides of the basin with the solution. Your basement should be back to normal in no time.
However, in the event of a suspected sewage line rupture, you’ll need help from a professional plumber who can diagnose the issue. Fortunately, the pros at SBPHA/C have the skill and experience to handily fix your plumbing problems.