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Trident Plumbing

Trident Plumbing

Our Customers Always Come First

Sump Pumps: What Is A Weep Hole?

Every once in awhile when we replace or install a sump pump we get a call from our customer letting us know that there is water coming out of a hole in the pipe leading to their sump pump. It can seem like quite a bit of water going back down into the sump pit, and when you don’t know why it’s happening it can seem concerning. After all, that sump pump is supposed to be removing water from that sump pit!

The reason for this small hole is actually an important one – to prevent an air lock which would render the pump useless. As your sump pump runs and then shuts off, air can potentially flow into the pump chamber. This air becomes compressed and can “lock” your pump full of air. This prevents any more water from being removed by your sump pump. You will still hear the pump running, but the water in the sump pit is no longer being pumped out and away from your property.

The solution to this problem is to drill a 3/16″ hole at a slightly downward angle which allows any air to escape before it ends up in your sump pump. When the pump runs you will see water spraying out of this hole back down into the pit. Rest assured your pump is still removing an adequate volume of water to keep your home dry!

A weep hole is always considered best practice to keep your pump working reliably. Especially during heavy rains when a sump pit can begin to fill quickly, an air lock in your sump pump can cause a flooded basement and potentially tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. Not all plumbers will drill these weep holes – which is why this might be a new finding in your sump pit after a sump pump is installed by one of our Trident Plumbing technicians.

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