Search guides

Fix a sump pit that is clogged

We'll check the pump intake, sediment buildup, and drain tiles—then clean the pit or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
30–60 min
What you'll need
  • Bucket or wet-dry vacuum (to remove sediment)
  • Small shovel or scoop (optional)
  • Brush (to clean pump intake screen)
  • Hose or bucket (to add water for testing)
Step 1 of 8

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check the pump intake and sediment, then clean the pit or call a pro.

  • Look into the sump pit. If water fills but does not drain, or the pump runs but water stays high, the pit may be clogged.
  • Good: Water in pit, pump runs but water stays high—pit clogged. Proceed to Check pump intake.
  • Bad: Pump does not run—see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.

Check pump intake

Goal: Rule out a blocked pump intake before cleaning the pit.

  • Confirm the pump runs when you lift the float switch. If it does not run, see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.
  • Unplug the pump. Look at the intake screen or grate at the bottom of the pump. If it is covered with silt, mud, or debris, clear it with a brush or by rinsing.
  • Good: Intake clear—pump can draw water. Test by adding water. Bad: Intake was blocked—cleared. If the pit still does not drain, proceed to Clean sediment.

Clean sediment

Goal: Remove sediment that blocks weep holes and reduces pit capacity.

  • Unplug the pump. Disconnect the discharge pipe if needed. Lift the pump out of the pit.
  • Scoop sediment from the bottom with a bucket, small shovel, or wet-dry vacuum. Remove silt, gravel, and debris.
  • Check weep holes in the pit liner—clear any that are blocked. If the pit liner is cracked or damaged, call a plumber.
  • Clean the pump intake screen. Lower the pump back into the pit. Reconnect the discharge pipe. Plug the pump in.
  • Good: Pit clean, pump replaced. Add water and test—the pit should drain. Bad: Pit liner damaged—call a plumber.

Check drain tiles

Goal: Rule out blocked drain tiles when the pit is clean but water still backs up.

  • If water enters the pit from drain tiles faster than the pump can remove it, the tiles may be blocked. A plumber can snake the drain tiles.
  • Good: Pit clean and pump works—test after rain. Bad: Water backs up from tiles—call a plumber.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • Drain tiles are blocked (water backs up from the tiles).
  • The pit liner is cracked or damaged.
  • You are not comfortable with the work.

Never work in the pit with the pump plugged in. Never work in standing water with electrical appliances on.

Verification

  • The pump runs when the pit fills or when you add water.
  • Water discharges from the pump and the pit level drops.
  • The pit drains when the pump runs.
  • No sediment blocking the pump intake or weep holes.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the pit fills but water does not drain or the pump runs without lowering the level.
  2. Pump intake Check and clear the pump intake screen.
  3. Sediment Remove sediment from the pit bottom; clear weep holes.
  4. Drain tiles If water backs up from tiles, drain tiles may be blocked—call a plumber.
  5. Call a pro Blocked drain tiles, damaged pit liner, or not comfortable—call a plumber.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Whether the pump runs when the float is lifted
  • Whether the pump intake screen was blocked
  • Sediment depth at pit bottom
  • Whether weep holes are clear
  • Steps already tried

Does the pit fill but water does not drain, or does the pump run but water stay high?

Look into the pit. If water fills and does not drain, or the pump runs but water stays high, the pit may be clogged. If the pump does not run at all, see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.

Look into the sump pit. Good: water in pit, pump runs but water stays high—pit clogged. Bad: pump does not run—see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.

Yes No (pump does not run)

You can change your answer later.

Does the pump run when you lift the float?

Lift the float manually. If the pump runs and discharges water, the pump works. If it does not run, see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.

Lift the float switch manually. Good: pump runs and discharges water—clog is in the pit. Bad: pump does not run—see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the pump intake screen blocked?

Unplug the pump. Look at the intake screen at the bottom of the pump. Debris can block it.

Unplug the pump. Check the intake screen. Blocked: clear with a brush or rinse. Clear: check sediment at pit bottom.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clean intake and test

Clear the intake screen. Replace the pump. Add water and test. If the pit drains, the fix is complete. If not, proceed to clean sediment.

Done

Is there sediment at the bottom of the pit?

Silt, gravel, or mud can block weep holes and reduce pit capacity.

Check the pit bottom. Sediment present: remove with bucket or wet-dry vacuum. Clear weep holes in the pit liner. No sediment: check if drain tiles are blocked—water backing up from tiles may need a plumber.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clean the pit and test

Remove the pump. Scoop out sediment. Clear weep holes. Clean the pump intake. Replace and test. The pit should drain when the pump runs.

Done

Are drain tiles blocked?

Water backing up from drain tiles into the pit faster than the pump can remove it may indicate blocked tiles.

If water enters the pit from drain tiles and the pump cannot keep up, the tiles may be blocked. A plumber can snake the drain tiles. If the pit is clean and the pump works, the fix may be complete—test after rain.

Done

Call a plumber

Call a plumber if the pump does not run (see fix-sump-pump-will-not-run), drain tiles are blocked, the pit liner is cracked or damaged, or you are not comfortable with the work. Never work in the pit with the pump plugged in.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a sump pit clog?
Debris (silt, mud, gravel) in the pit blocks the pump intake or weep holes. Sediment builds up over time. Blocked drain tiles can also cause water to back up faster than the pump can remove it.
How do I clean a clogged sump pit?
Unplug the pump. Remove the pump from the pit. Scoop out sediment and debris with a bucket or wet-dry vacuum. Clean the pump intake screen. Check weep holes in the pit liner. Replace the pump and test.
Can I fix a clogged sump pit myself?
Yes, for pump intake and sediment in the pit. If drain tiles are blocked or the pit liner is damaged, call a plumber. Never work in the pit with the pump plugged in.
When should I call a plumber for a clogged sump pit?
Call a plumber if drain tiles are blocked, the pit liner is cracked or damaged, or you are not comfortable with the work. A plumber can snake drain tiles or replace the pit liner.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to