Preventing Sump Pump Frozen Pipes: Tips From The RupCoe Plumbing Team

During the Winter months in New Jersey, many home owners struggle with sump pumps that stop working due to frozen pipes.
Frozen Sump Pumps: what can I do to prevent it?
You could measure the pipes length and buy a heat tape to keep them from freezing or add a little more heat to exposed pipes in the basement. By taking the proper preventive steps, you may never need to worry about thawing frozen pipes, or worse, repairing a pipe that bursts when the water in it freezes solid. When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. When the predicted temperature reaches 32 degrees or below, let each faucet, hot and cold, drop slightly throughout the night. After wrapping the pipes in newspaper and tape, wrap the pipes once again with foil, then tape again, using duct tape. Mobile homes are particularly prone to frozen pipes, since the pipes usually run under the trailer.
Either type of pump should have a check valve on the water outlet pipe so water does not flow back in the sump when the pump shuts off. Even from going to a small pipe into a larger corrugated pipe, it still should drain down enough to not freeze solid. When the pump shuts off, gravity wants the water in the discharge pipe to fall back into the pit. You can connect a flexible, freeze-resistant hose to the end of the discharge pipe for extra length. Once the ice is freed, you can reconnect the hose or pipe making sure the water is draining at least 10 feet away from the foundation. The backup pipe should be laid in a different direction to the main discharge hose so that it can be used if the main hose freezes.
But It's already frozen, what is the Best solution?
Always call a professional and local plumbing and sewer service company to help you out in times of emergencies. You should be able to understand your plumbing problems well enough to know if you can do it yourself, or if you should hire a plumber.
Who Do I call?
For Frozen Sump Pumps... Call Rupcoe Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Inc... You will be getting a reliable sump pump service that you can trust. As your local and neighborhood plumbing company, Rupcoe Plumbing wants to make sure you find the best sump pump for your home.
This problem can be prevented by implementing some of the tips that we go share in this video.
For more informations, the staff of RupCoe would be happy to help you. Just call us in [phone] or visit our website rupcoeplumbing.com
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More about Sump Pumps
The main function of a sump pump is to discharge excess water from inside your home when the water level in the sump pit rises. Commonly located in the basement of your home, this is used to remove water that has accumulated in a pit. Submersible pumps are placed under water in your sump pump basin, while Pedestal pumps are positioned with the motor out of water and above your pit.
When the water in the sump pit reaches a certain level, the sump pump activates and pumps the water out and away from the house. Emergency battery backup pumps work when the power goes out, when the primary pump does not remove the water fast enough, or if the primary pump fails. A sump pump is a last defense against flooding, pumping out water from the lowest section of the basement before the water level reaches the basement floor level. That is why it is always a good thing to prevent Frozen Sump Pumps.
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[@lifeisgood070]

This whole thing can be solved with a T... right at the foundation exit. Just have the regular pipe go down and to the curb. Meanwhile have the t with just a short 6” run facing down outside the house. If the mainline gets backed up it will just pump right outside the house

[@larryshephard3045]

Good advice

[@100XNX]

Thanks for the video. When my sump pump line froze I had to cut the 1 1/2" PVC outside the house to allow the water to get out. Then I ran an above-grade pipe temporarily to the front yard. That was 2 months ago, that original frozen line? Still frozen! What do you guys think of running heat-cord inside the pipe?

[@gmguy156]

Justin Credible
Thought I would help answer your question. If using heat tape keep in mind not to run it too hot because you can actually melt the pvc.

[@rajeshgulati3568]

Thanks for the video. I live in Northern Maryland. We have a sump pump outside the basement to drain water from areaway. Last week, the sump pump stopped working since the water in the horizontal segment of 2” discharge pipe had frozen. It was raining hard. Will it help to cover the PVC discharge pipe with insulation or should we have heating coils. Or is there any other solution, which you can suggest. Your advice/ recommendation will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

[@TrueAudio]

what about ICEGuard ?

[@Dansyoung]

My sump pump manufacturer (Wayne) recommends installing a check valve after the pump so the pump does not have to prime every time it kicks on. Needless to say we have had a cold snap and the discharge line is now frozen. Is it a good idea to have the check valve or would it be beneficial to me to have it drain back into the sump pit to potentially prevent the outlet from freezing?

[@jimaro]

How deep should the discharge line be buried?