Disconnect Your Sump Pump Extension Hose Before It Freezes!

One of the most important ways to winterize your sump pump is to disconnect any extension hose attached to your sump pump's discharge pipe before the start of winter.  

The reason for this is simple: to prevent freezing! In most cases, discharge extensions are not perfectly sloped. Add the corrugations in these flexible pipes, and you end up with standing water inside the hoses that will slowly freeze. If the pump engages during an early thaw, or simply turns on to remove excess water from the sump, what may have started as a partial ice blockage will soon turn into a complete ice blockage. Then the next time your sump pump engages, there will be nowhere for the water to go which will cause sump pump to constantly run and eventually fail.

To prevent this, simply remove your sump pump discharge hose extensions prior to the temperature dropping below freezing. The extension hose is connected to your discharge line with a pipe clamp. Simply loosen this clamp with a screwdriver, and slide the hose off. After dumping out any water still in the hose, roll it up and store it in your garage or shed for the winter to ensure it is ready to reinstall in next spring.

This simple step will go a long way in protecting your sump pump and keeping your basement dry this winter. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your home's sump pump, we can help!

Call us today at 1-800-379-3788