Zoeller Sump Pump Maintenance [Ultimate Guide]

This is a complete guide on Zoeller Sump Pump Maintenance. What I am going to discuss in this article:

• Do sump pumps need maintenance?
• 7 easy steps to maintain your Zoeller Sump Pump
• How do I remove calcium buildup in my sump pump?
• How to clean the Zoeller Sump Pump Pit?

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

• Do Sump Pumps Need Maintenance? 
• Zoeller Sump Pump Maintenance [7 Easy Steps] 
• How Do I Remove Calcium Buildup In My Sump Pump? 
• How To Clean Zoeller Sump Pump Pit? 
• FAQs
• End-Note

Do Sump Pumps Need Maintenance?

Yes, sump pumps need maintenance to keep it functional for years to come. If you don’t service the sump pump in time, it will go through some problems, including:

• Unusual noise will come out of the unit
• Fail to turn on the unit
• The sump pump will be stuck in the On position
• The sump pump won’t pump water
• Short cycling

When the sump pump stops working, you will have an abundance of moisture in your basement. Without any doubt, this moisture problem can lead into more problems like cause mold or mildew issues, bring damage to personal belongings, and finish the basement

In the worst case, it may even bring severe health issues because water in the basement will attract harmful pests like cockroaches and rodents. 

To keep you and your sump pump out of these issues, you must maintain your sump pump periodically or annually.  

Zoeller Sump Pump Maintenance [7 Easy Steps]

Annual maintenance is extremely recommended if your sump pump remains unused for several months. And this chapter will demonstrate every step you need to take to maintain your Zoeller Sump Pump like a pro. 

Here we go…

1. Turn off the circuit breaker for the pump before you are going to work with your sump pump. Then, unplug your sump pump’s power cord from the electrical outlet. It will keep you safe and secure from unwanted injuries.

2. Next, detach the sump pump from the discharge pipe and remove the sump pump from the sump pit. Some water may run back to the pump from the check valve once you remove the pump. That’s why I recommend you to put on safety glasses and gloves for the next steps. 

3. Remove the check valve. Afterward, clean dirt & debris from the exterior of the pump. You can use a garden hose to clean the exterior part evenly. Don’t forget to sweep away dirt & debris from the float assembly. 

4. Now, it’s time to clean the pump inlet screen. Regarding this, use a wire brush to brush away every speck of dirt or gunk from the inlet screen. I recommend you clean the inlet screen every 3 or 4 months. 

5. Once you clean the pump inlet screen, go inspect the check valve. I highly suggest you have your eyes on the owner manual to see whether it recommends any grease or not to lubricate the check valve.  

6. After cleaning the sump pump evenly, reconnect the check valve and put the pump back in the sump pit. 

7. Check the power cord and plug it into the electrical outlet. Of course, ensure you turn on the pump’s breaker. Finally, test the pump by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit to raise the float and ensure the pump turns on, adjust the float if required. If the pump comes on, your maintenance workflow is complete. 

How Do I Remove Calcium Buildup In My Sump Pump?

Sump pump as it names is always submerged under water. Because of its functionality and design, it’s prone to corrosion and calcium can easily make its home on it. If you don’t remove that buildup from the sump pump, it will decrease the overall lifespan of the pump. 

Fortunately, it’s super easy to remove the gunk and mineral deposits from the sump pump. 

First off, put the entire sump pump into a full bucket of water. Then, add two little bottles of CLR into the water to make a cleaning solution. Next, leave the sump pump into the cleaning solution for several hours like seven to eight hours.  

After that period, scrab the sump pump with a scrubbing brush evenly to get rid of calcium buildup. If needed, repeat the procedure until you remove every speck of buildup from the sump pump. 

Lastly, rinse the sump pump with clean water. 

Note: If your Zoeller Sump Pump is over 10 years of old, I recommend you replace it with a new one instead of cleaning it. 

How To Clean Zoeller Sump Pump Pit?

Here is the step-by-step procedure to clean the sump pit: 

• Unplug your sump pump from the electric connection.
• Detach the unit from the discharge pipe. 
• Put in gloves and take the sump pump from the pit. Use a garden hose to get rid of any specks of dirt & debris that covers the exterior part of the sump pump.
• Remove dirt, mineral buildup, and gunk in the basin. 
• Turn on your shop-vac and remove all the remaining water & waste out of the sump pit. 
• Reinstall the unit into the basin and connect the pump to the discharge pipe. 
• Restore the power to the unit by turning on the circuit breaker. 

FAQs

How often should you do sump pump maintenance?

You should maintain & service your sump pump every three to six months. Also, perform annual maintenance to keep the sump pump functional.

Do you have to winterize a sump pump?

No, you don’t need to winterize your sump pump. Instead of winterizing it, plug the sump pump for an entire year to keep the basement dry.

Is vinegar bad for sump pumps?

No, vinegar is not bad for sump pumps. It is a good cleaner that will help you remove gunk and mineral buildup from the sump pump. Just make a cleaning solution by mixing 50/50 vinegar and water and put the sump pump into the solution. After several hours, scrub and rinse the sump pump with water.

End-Note

A sump pump is a shield guard that fights against moisture and keeps your basement dry. If it stops functioning properly, it will fail to remove moisture or water from the basement. 

That’s why annual maintenance of the unit is a must to keep the sump pump functional. And this guide on Zoeller Sump Pump Maintenance broke down 7 easy steps to maintain the sump pump like a pro. 

Just follow the maintenance instructions and service the sump pump to increase its overall performance and lifespan. 

Best of Luck!

Read Also:

• Zoeller Sump Pump Troubleshooting