Finally got my old basement sump pump to stop that knocking sound

It was making this awful racket for almost two months, and I kept putting it off. Turns out the discharge pipe just needed a new rubber check valve, which I found at the hardware store on Detroit Road. Anyone have a good local plumber for the next time something like this happens?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane_perry291mo ago

Two months of a knocking sump pump is a long time to ignore what could be a real problem. That noise usually means something is wrong with the check valve or the pipe is loose. In my experience, a bad check valve can let water backflow and make the pump work harder, which might burn it out early. I'd keep an eye on it even after the fix to make sure it's not a sign of a bigger issue with the pump itself. For a plumber, I've heard mixed things about the guys over on Lake Avenue, so maybe get a couple quotes.

harper_owens1mo ago

Remember that old valve shane_perry29 mentioned? Mine failed completely last spring. The backflow flooded a corner of my basement and ruined a box of my kid's kindergarten art projects. The pump was just cycling on and off, sounded like a hammer in a tin can. I ended up having to replace the whole discharge line because the old PVC was cracked. Cost me way more than a simple valve.