Sump pump replacement in Clarksburg, MD

A Clarksburg basement sump pump over 10 years old was leaking oil and had an electrical problem. We replaced it with a new Zoeller pump and check valve, then cleaned and flushed the pit.

Old ProFlo PF92342 thermoplastic sump pump pulled from the pit, caked in sludge, with its cord wrapped around the handle — **Before:** The old ProFlo thermoplastic pump after it came out of the pit, coated in sludge.

Red rating label on the old 1/3 HP thermoplastic sump pump showing 120 volts, 4.1 amps and a 0115 date code — **Before:** The label on the old 1/3 HP pump we replaced. Its date code reads 0115.

White label on a vertical float switch reading SJE VerticalMaster pump switch, 10 ft cord, 120 V with plug — **Before:** The pump's float switch label: an SJE VerticalMaster vertical switch on a 10-foot, 120-volt plug-in cord.

Box for the new Zoeller M98-D submersible sump pump, labeled 115V single phase, automatic, 3 year warranty — **During:** The replacement: a Zoeller M98-D automatic submersible pump, 115 V, with a 3-year warranty.

Finished sump pit with a sealed black lid, white PVC discharge pipe with unions rising from the pit, and a separate white PVC pipe — **After:** Finished: the pit is sealed under its lid, and the white PVC discharge line runs up from the new pump.

The problem

The homeowner's sump pump had been tripping its outlet and buzzing. After a diagnostic visit and a written estimate, they booked a replacement.

What our technician found

The old pump was a 1/3 HP thermoplastic unit more than 10 years old. Our technician found oil leaking from the pump and an electrical problem at the unit. Many submersible sump pumps have oil-filled motors, so oil in the pit usually means the motor seals are failing. Once a pump that old has both problems, replacing it makes more sense than repairing it.

What we did

Removed the old sump pump from the basement pit.
Cleaned the pit with warm water and flushed it out.
Installed a new Zoeller M98 sump pump.
Installed a new check valve on the discharge line in the basement.
Ran the pump to check it. It is working properly.

Parts used

Zoeller M98 sump pump
Check valve

The result

The new pump is installed and running properly. It comes with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty, and our labor is covered for 1 year.

Tips for Clarksburg homeowners

Oil on the water in your sump pit is a warning sign. It usually means the pump's motor seals are failing. Call a plumber before the next big storm.
Check the label on your pump. Many show a date code, which tells you how old it is. Plan to replace a pump that's around 10 years old before it fails.
Pour a bucket of water into the pit every few months. The pump should turn on, empty the pit and shut off by itself.
Replace the check valve along with the pump. An old check valve can let water flow back into the pit, so the pump has to run more.

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Clarksburg Sump Pump Replacement: 10-Year-Old Pump Out, New Zoeller In