Sump Pump Slump

sorry cant help with that but it is a good idea to have a back-up sump pump, in case the main gets clogged or burns out.

...maybe something like Isopropyl alcohol?

Well, thanks anyway.

I actually do have a backup battery and alarm system. I'm ready for Water World!

What about attracting all the ferrous particles with a magnetic suction strainer device before the pump? It may help with future ferrous particle build-up, unfortunately It won't help with anything currently in the system. I have seen systems which have a chamber for the mixture with magnetic rods, which are removable to easily clean off the build-up.

This is most likely not the best solution for a home owner, as it is geared more for industrial applications, but maybe something can be made, or is available on a smaller scale to help prevent the build-up in the first place.

I have what is likely the same iron algae in my well water as what you are getting. A good dose of the biodegradable bleach every 6 months seems to keep mine under control.

I typically use a quart per five gallon pail and dump it right down the well.

Its strong enough to kill all of the algae but not so strong as to make well water harmful or unusable for cooking or doing laundry. Plus you feel really clean after a shower for about the week it takes to run through the system!

Just make sure your pump is steel, brass or plastic. The bleach can cause problems with aluminum or zink pump parts.

"A good dose of the biodegradable bleach…"

Ah, I never thought of that. However, I think my pump has zinc parts in it so I'll have to check it out before using this method.

High velocity water works well. The ochre is transported away as a slurry.

Good point. What I'll probably end up doing is simply rinsing/flushing it out with a hose.

Take a look at Iron Out.

http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/IronOut.aspx

Iron Out is sodium hydrosulphite, a reducing agent. It strips the oxygen from the Fe2O3 so it reverts to Fe2O2 which is soluble in water.

Usually iron in ground water is in a ferrous ion form which is soluble. When it hits the air (or an oxidizer like sodium hypochlotite bleach) it oxidizes to an insoluble ferric oxide creating the stuff in your sump. The yellow ochre is just a hydrated ferric oxide.

I'm not sure how well this will work in your sump pump setup. What I would do is disolve maybe a half a cup or a cup of the Iron Out granules in enough water to fill the sump and let it sit for a time. My guess would be an hour or so. But you'd have to experiment.

I've used this stuff for years as part of a periodic backwash to remove iron oxide build up in the softener resin from the well water that goes through my water softener. I've also used it for rust stains on some things that can't handle stronger chemicals.

Ed Weldon

Ah, that looks like it'll work. I'll have to try a few measurements for my pump as it steadily takes in water. Thanks for the help!