Outdoor Sump Pump Freezing? (7 Ways To Prevent & Fix This)

How Does an Outdoor Sump Pump Work?

Pedestal Sump Pumps

A pedestal sump pump goes above the sump pit. It relies on a float switch or pressure sensor to tell it when the sump pit is full. Then, the pump pulls the water up through a pipe to a new location.

Submersible Sump Pumps

Tips to Prevent Your Outdoor Sump Pump from Freezing

The best solution for any potential problem is often prevention (you’ve heard the saying, prevention is the best medicine). One of the best ways to combat a freezing sump pump is to keep it from freezing in the first place.

Here are 7 tips to keep in mind when the temperatures start to drop to prevent a frozen sump pump.

Tip 1: Keep the Water Flowing

When water freezes, it’s because it gets frigid, and it isn’t moving. If you let water collect in the bottom of your pump, it increases the odds of your pump freezing. Eventually, you’ll end up with chunks of ice blocking water flow.

If you start to notice icy water collecting in the sump pit, check your pump’s settings. Adjust the setting to allow more water to flow in and out, keeping your sump pump working smoothly.

Tip 2: Bury the Line to Protect It from Frigid Air

If you have exposed sections of water lines, they’re more likely to freeze when they contact freezing air. This is especially true if the water in the pipes isn’t moving.

The simplest way to prevent this problem is to bury the line farther into the ground. Do a check and ensure that none of the pipe (or as little as possible) meets the air. If you can’t bury the line deeper, consider covering it with a tarp or other material during the colder months.

Tip 3: Let Gravity Do the Work

If possible, try to give the pipes coming from your sump pump a bit of a slope. This way, you can let gravity do the work and keep water flowing. You can try and create a slope if your yard doesn’t have a natural one.

It doesn’t have to be drastic; just a slight, gradual slope will do. Be prepared to dig up some of the line to create your pitch.

Tip 4: Wrap Your Pipes

Purchase some insulating material at your local hardware store that you can use to wrap your intake and discharge pipes. This will keep your pipes (and therefore the water in them) warm, so they don’t freeze.

You can use basic zip ties to secure the insulation around the pipes. Note: This isn’t the same type of insulation you use in your house. Look for pipe wrap insulation.

Tip 5: Lighten the Load

If the discharge line starts to freeze, it forces your sump pump to work harder. You can try and lighten your pump’s workload by doing some work on your home’s foundation.

For example, you could do some landscaping around the perimeter of your home to encourage water to flow downhill. Therefore, try to make some changes to help redirect water away from your house. This can decrease the risk of frozen water blocking the pump.

Tip 6: Put More Space Between Your Pump and the Discharge Area

You can extend the length of your discharge pipe by connecting a freeze-resistant hose to it. This extra length helps increase the distance between your home and where wastewater goes. Ensure you use a rigid hose so water can’t collect anywhere.

Keeping the discharge hose farther from the discharge area helps prevent the hose from freezing and consequently protects your pump.

Tip 7: Regularly Check Your Sump Pump and Pipes During the Winter

When cold weather arrives, make it a best practice to regularly check how your sump pump functions. Keep an eye on the pipes and hoses, too, and check if they feel icy. One of the best ways to prevent problems (and significant damage) is to catch them as soon as possible.

Therefore, even if you’ve put all these tips into play, still keep a close eye on your sump pump.

What If Your Sump Pump Freezes?

Even when you take all the proper precautions and put preventative practices into play, things can happen. There’s always a chance you could end up with a frozen sump pump.

If your outdoor sump pump freezes, try these steps to conquer its icy shell.

Tools You Need for the Job:

Step 1: Cut the Power

Safety first! Before you start messing with any type of appliance, especially when water is involved, ensure you completely cut the power. You don’t want to have any risk of electrical shock.

Don’t just switch off the pump; also unplug it and turn it off at the breaker box, too. You can never be too careful when it comes to electricity.

Step 2: Clear the Drain Line of Any Obstructions

Check out the spot where the discharge pipe empties for any ice or snow, or other debris obstructing it. Remove any visible objects, then if there is ice or snow present, melt them.

Use a space heater near the end of the line for about an hour. Or you can use a hairdryer, blowing it into the pipe to melt any ice or snow inside it.

If you don’t see any ice or snow, skip this step and move on to the next one.

Step 3: Empty the Sump Pit

Use the small submersible pump to get as much water from the pit as possible. You can also start with the bucket to get out as much water as you can. Then, use a wet/dry vac to suck out any remaining water.

Step 4: Detach the Drain Line

Use the screwdriver or wrench to disconnect the drain line from the sump pump.

Step 5: Pour Boiling Water Down the Line

Put on a pair of oven gloves to protect your hands. Carefully pour a large pot of boiling water down the drain line of the sump pump. Do so slowly to avoid boiling water splashing up into your face or onto your body.

If water starts to back up in the pit, stop and remove it as before, then continue to pour. You may need to repeat this process with more boiling water a few times to thaw any ice blockage thoroughly.

Step 6: Reconnect the Drain Line and Power on the Pump

Finally, you can reconnect the drain line to the sump pump and restore power. Flip the breaker back on, plug the pump back in, and switch it on.

If, after attempting to thaw out your frozen pump, it’s not functioning, it’s probably time to call in the pros. You don’t want to risk further damage or more significant issues by using a faulty pump.