What to Do About a Smelly Sump Pump
The basement of your Orange County home is your family’s happy place. It’s where game night happens, where the kids play on rainy days, and where the big projector lights up for movie marathons and Sunday night football.
But when an awful smell starts creeping in, it puts a damper on everything.
You search high and low. Could it be old socks? Forgotten snacks? Nope. Eventually, your nose leads you to find the culprit: your sump pump.
What Causes Your Sump Pumps to Smell?
Your sump pump is the behind-the-scenes hero of turning your basement from an unfinished, empty space to the ultimate game-day hangout. It collects and removes groundwater to keep everything dry and mold-free. But when something goes wrong, your nose usually knows first.
Here are the most common causes of sump pump stink:
- Stagnant Water: If water sits too long without draining, it becomes party central for bacteria, mold, and mildew.
- Dry Spells: When the weather’s been dry, the water in your pump pit can evaporate, allowing smelly gases to take its place.
- Broken or Dirty Components: A jammed float switch or dirty pit can stop proper drainage. Even a minor failure can quickly lead to costly repairs.
- Sewage-like Smells: If your sump pump smells more like a sewer than a swamp, that could be a major red flag that there’s a break in your sewer lines. Call us ASAP. Our emergency services will make sure your sewer system gets back on track.
How to Fix a Stinky Sump Pump
Sometimes, a smelly sump pump just needs a quick refresh fix to leave your home smelling fresh again. If you’ve got a pit that’s completely dry or full of stagnant water, pouring a few gallons of water into the pit can restore the water trap or trigger the float switch and flush out all the old, gross water. A little elbow grease to clean the pit can take care of lingering gunk and grime that are leading to those smells.
If you’re still smelling something funky or your sump pump doesn’t pump, it’s time to call in the pros. And if it’s been over a year since your last sump pump service, that’s your cue, too.
We’re sump pump pros, and we can repair, service, or replace whatever’s causing the issue.
Stay Protected with Barker and Sons
When it comes to bad smells, a mother knows that the sooner you act, the better. Don’t let a smelly sump pump push you out of your home and into a crowded restaurant to watch the big game.
Give Barker and Sons a call today. We’ll find the source, fix the problem, and if your pump’s on its last leg, we’ll install a new one, so your basement stays the happy (and dry) place it’s meant to be.
