Sump Pump Smells — What They Mean
What sump pump smells mean — dry-trap sewer gas, stagnant pit water, or bacteria buildup — and how to clear each, plus when to call a plumber.
Category
Sump Pumps & Interior Drainage
When keeping water out is not enough, the last line of defense manages the water that gets in. This section explains sump pits and pumps, interior perimeter drains, discharge lines and the maintenance these systems need to be there when it storms.
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Sump Pumps & Interior Drainage articles
What Size Sump Pump Do I Need?
How to size a sump pump by matching pit inflow, vertical lift (head), and discharge run — and why horsepower on the box is the wrong place to start.
Sump Pump Humming but Not Pumping: Causes and Fixes
Why a sump pump hums but pumps no water — jammed impeller, air lock, clogged intake, stuck check valve, or frozen discharge — with a safe check for each cause.
Sump Pump vs French Drain
Sump pump vs french drain compared — how each moves water, where gravity runs out, cost and maintenance trade-offs, and why the two often work together.
Sump Pump vs Sewage Ejector Pump
Sump pump vs sewage ejector pump — what water each handles, why the basins differ, venting, and why you can't swap one for the other in a basement.
Sump Pump Float Switch Problems
Why sump pump float switches fail — stuck floats, tangled tethers, crooked pumps, and worn switches — plus how to diagnose each and what to check first.
Sump Pump in a Crawl Space
How a sump pump works in a crawl space — when you need one, how it pairs with a vapor barrier, access and maintenance challenges, and what it does and doesn't fix.
How to Replace a Sump Pump
How to replace a sump pump step by step — choosing a matched replacement, disconnecting the old one safely, setting the new pump, and testing before you rely on it.