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How to Clean Your Sump Pump
How to Clean Your Sump Pump
4.8 RATING

How to Clean Your Sump Pump

The sump pump is an essential part of your plumbing system. It collects water and safely diverts it from your home. Without this mechanism, groundwater…

September 16, 2026
How to Clean Your Sump Pump

The sump pump is an essential part of your plumbing system. It collects water and safely diverts it from your home. Without this mechanism, groundwater could flood the foundation of your home and cause irreversible damage. Flooding in your home is dangerous and costly. It could cause the growth of molds and mildew in the walls of your home, slowly deteriorating your property and potentially causing respiratory issues. By cleaning it regularly, you could keep your sump pump working properly. We’ll share a few tips and tricks to making sure your sump pump is well maintained and clean. If you’d like to invest in a sump pump cleaning by our team, get in touch with us by phone or online at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. 

Our Customers Reviews

Chahib Chakrome

Summit, NJ

The service provided was great, nothing to say about the work of the plumber. 5 stars to him. But the company charges felt way too much for the work. We would have liked to have the same plumber take care of other things in the house, but every time he check how much extra the company will charge for the job, the price just got too much. The plumber did an amazing job he selected a beautiful faucet to replace our old one. He did his best. But the company prices have no room for negotiation.

Tiffany DeSande

Plainfield, NJ

A million stars!!!! Steve and Lucas were absolutely amazing. My parents pipes burst and within 4 hours of calling they came and fixed everything!!! Very nice guys and dealt with my panicking. I will always use them if needed in the future and you all should too!!! Thank god for people like this!!! Thank you so much guys!!!

Naomi Langer-Seltzer

New Brunswick, NJ

We got very quick service, I think the plumber actually arrived in less than an hour! After reviewing what was happening, he gave us our options and performed the option we selected. This happened in the late afternoon or early evening. It was already dark and there was a lot of snow on the ground.

Steve Smith

Mountainside, NJ

I needed immediate, same day service in the early evening at my home. I went to the internet and looked up plumbing services that offered "24-hour, 7-day a week" availability. The first 3 places I called said that they could not get to me until the following day. Then I called Mr. Rooter. They were courteous and promptly got a technician to my house within an hour and a half. The technician, Lucas Kaufmann, was exceptional. The job was not easy, but he figured the problem out and got me all fixed up within an hour's time. Moving forward, I…

Stephanie Brown

Cranford, NJ

Despite what was quite obviously a busy day (day after Thanksgiving at 10pm) TJ came out and did not leave until the job was done! There were several setbacks, which at the late hour might have prompted him to leave- but he chose to stay and continue until the job was complete! I only have one bathroom so I was really hoping he could make it work, and he really did a wonderful job! So thankful for all of his help! I highly recommend TJ!

Shaheen Dhanani

Union, NJ

This is my second time using Mr. Rooter and I have to say they are an excellent company of experienced professionals! The service techs were courteous, experienced and actually spent time trying to figure out the issue before proposing the solution. They were also patient and answered all my questions without rushing the work. I will be using them again.

Christie Murphy

Montgomery, NJ

TJ was amazing! 10/10 recommend this company. We were in an emergency state of panic with a burst pipe in the middle of a bad snowstorm. TJ came with knowledge, professionalism, kindness, and found the root of the problem within five minutes of being here. We will be using him again in the spring to fix an outdoor issue he found!

Alan Abraham

Clark, NJ

The technicians were friendly, professional and knowledgeable. The price was too high I believe, but the technicians had no control over that. The technicians took their time and did a great job. I would use them again and also recommend them.

Amy Swart

Berkeley Heights, NJ

Excellent service! Charles and Nicholas of Mr. Rooter arrived to my scheduled service a few minutes early, wore sanitary shoe coverings, and were extremely professional. They found the source of my leak quickly and fixed the issue. While they here, I requested an additional hydraulic heating inspection which they accommodated. They were very knowledgeable and provided helpful tips. I highly recommend this team and I will definitely call them for all future plumbing needs!!

JACKY Coppola

Wall Township, NJ

TJ came to my aid as the water pipe froze in my house. Although nothing could be done he gave me hints of what could be done my me which was very helpful. I found TJ very professional and caring about my situation. The best part of the very long night was the dogs adored him one wanted to accompany him to his next job. Thank you for employing such an amazing man. Plus today there is water running in the house. Thank you TJ and thank you Mr. Rooney plumbing for employing a man with helpful hints!!!!!

Disconnect Your Sump Pump from the Power Source
This is a pretty quick and easy step. Simply unplug your sump pump from a basement outlet or wherever its power source is located. You could also switch off the circuit supply power to the pump directly from the breaker. This will ensure your safety. If you’re unsure about where the power source is, give us a call at Mr. Rooter Plumber and we’ll be glad to assist you.

Make Sure Your Water Is Tued Off
As an extra precautionary step, tu off the water supply in your home. You’ll want to make sure that water will not pump through the system while you are trying to clean it. This also means to avoid trying to clean the pump on rainy days. If you can’t tu off the water, make sure no one is using fixtures while you’re working on the pump. 

Cover the Sump Pump with Plastic to Prevent Spills
The pump may be covered in mud and dirt. It will help if you are dressed to get into a bit of a mess. First, you’ll have to remove the pump from the pit carefully. It may have sludge and dirt caked all over it. In order to clean it thoroughly, you may need to carry it safely outside. Wrapping the pump in a plastic sheet can help to prevent the mess from getting everywhere.

Can I Pour Vinegar into My Sump Pump?
If you’re looking for a natural cleaning product to use, vinegar can be a great alteative. You’ll need to make a mixture of vinegar and water. To clean the dirt and debris from your pump, pour the mixture into your pump and let it sit in. There are definitely precautions to take if you are trying this method for the first time. Make sure to give us a call at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for further details and assistance to clean your sump pump. 

Connect The Pump Again
Your newly cleaned pump should be sparkling clean and good to go. Connect the pump back to all of the parts. Plug back into the power source. If you would like to get your sump pump checked, schedule an appointment with our experienced plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing today!
 

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