Reasons Your Sump Pump Smells
The sump pump in your basement can be a real lifesaver. It sits in a pit below your basement floor, waiting for any water to enter.
During heavy rainstorms, it kicks into gear, pumping out rising groundwater that funnels into the sump pit. This discreet action behind the scenes helps keep your basement dry and prevent potentially disastrous flooding.
But what if your sump pump starts to smell? The foul odor coming from the sump pit can make your basement an unbearable place to be. Learn the reasons why a sump pump can start smelling and how to fix the problem.
Why Does My Sump Pump Smell?
Let’s explore two primary reasons behind unpleasant sump pump odors.
Stagnant Water
If you notice a musty, moldy smell, excess water may have pooled in the sump pit, where mold and mildew are now starting to grow. This is most common if the sump pump hasn’t run for a while. To address this smelly problem, try these tips:
- Run water from a hose into the pit for a few minutes to flush it out.
- Add a small amount of diluted bleach to the pit.
- Remove the stagnant water with a wet/dry vacuum and scrub away the exposed mildew. Add new water to the fill line when you’re done since a completely dry sump pit generates foul smells, too.
- Install a loose cover over the pit containing odors.
Sewer Line Leak
If dirty water from sinks, showers, tubs, toilets, and laundry lines is leaking into the groundwater around your house, it could end up in the sump pit, causing a sewage smell in your basement.
One way to check for this problem is to add dye to the toilet water and then flush it. If the dye shows up in the sump pit, you have a leak. Another method is to watch for water suddenly entering the pit when you drain the bathtub.
If the leak is located in the public sewer line, the municipality should fix it. If your own line is to blame, you should repair it without delay for the health and safety of your family and neighbors.
Schedule Sump Pump Repair in Central NJ
When it comes to plumbing repair in New Jersey, Arctic Air Conditioning is the company to call! And now that you can answer the question, “Why does my sump pump smell?” you may discover that it needs a repair.
To schedule service in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Ocean, or Somerset County, contact us today!
