As a homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the potential issues that can arise in your home. One of these issues is iron ochre, a reddish-brown sludge that can build up in your sump pump pit and cause clogs and damage to your property. In this article, I’ll explain what iron ochre is, why it’s a problem, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to remove it from your sump pump pit.
Iron ochre is a type of rust that forms when iron bacteria combine with oxygen and other minerals in the soil. It typically appears as a thick, slimy substance that can clog drain tile and cause water damage to your basement. Iron ochre can also produce a foul odor, making it an unpleasant problem to deal with.
Iron ochre is a problem because it can cause damage to your home’s foundation and basement. As the sludge accumulates in your sump pump pit and drain tile, it can cause clogs and prevent water from draining properly. This can lead to flooding and water damage in your home. Additionally, the odor produced by the iron ochre can be unpleasant and make it difficult to spend time in your basement.
The first sign of iron ochre in your sump pump pit is usually a reddish-brown sludge that appears on the walls and bottom of the pit. You may also notice a foul odor coming from the pit. Another sign of iron ochre is a decrease in the amount of water that your sump pump is able to remove from the pit. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action to remove the iron ochre before it causes damage to your home.
The risks associated with iron ochre include clogs in your sump pump and drain tile, which can lead to flooding and water damage in your home. The sludge can also produce a foul odor, making it unpleasant to spend time in your basement. Additionally, iron ochre can cause damage to your home’s foundation over time if left untreated.
When the source of iron is local and there are no extensive quantities of iron in the soil, iron ochre can be a temporary issue.
If the iron is moving with groundwater from another source upstream or there are extensive quantities of iron in the soil, ochre can be a permanent issue.
There are several methods for removing iron ochre from your sump pump pit. The first step is to remove any standing water from the pit using a wet/dry vacuum. Next, you can use a scrub brush and a mixture of water and bleach to clean the walls and bottom of the pit. Be sure to wear gloves and protective eyewear when working with bleach.
There are both chemical and non-chemical solutions for removing iron ochre from your sump pump pit. Chemical solutions include using chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to kill the iron bacteria and dissolve the sludge. Non-chemical solutions include using a pressure washer sewer jetter or a Clog Hog drain cleaner to physically remove the sludge from the pit.
A pressure washer sewer jetter is a powerful tool that can be used to remove iron ochre from your sump pump pit. The jetter uses high-pressure water to blast away the sludge and other debris from the walls and bottom of the pit. This method is effective for removing large amounts of sludge and can be used in conjunction with chemical treatments for maximum effectiveness.
The Clog Hog drain cleaner is another effective tool for removing iron ochre from your sump pump pit. This tool uses high-pressure water to blast away the sludge and other debris from the walls and bottom of the pit. It can be used in conjunction with chemical treatments for maximum effectiveness.
The best tool for removing iron ochre from your sump pump pit is a jetter hose for a pressure washer. This tool combines the power of a pressure washer with the precision of a jetter hose to blast away the sludge and other debris from the walls and bottom of the pit. It can be used in conjunction with chemical treatments for maximum effectiveness.
Preventing iron ochre buildup in your drain tile is important to avoid clogs and water damage in your basement. One way to prevent buildup is to install a filter sock over the end of your drain tile to prevent soil and debris from entering the system. Another way to prevent buildup is to install a sump pump alarm that will alert you when the water level in the pit is too high.
Since iron Ochre is almost impossible to eliminate, exercising your sump pump daily ensures your pump will not get totally clogged with iron ochre sludge. Basement DefenderTM also monitors the amperage, so if your pump is starting to get clogged or bogged down the Basement DefenderTM will send you an alert, before the big storm.
In conclusion, iron ochre is a problem that can cause damage to your home if left untreated. It’s important to recognize the signs of iron ochre in your sump pump pit and take action to remove it as soon as possible. There are both chemical and non-chemical solutions for removing iron ochre, including a pressure washer sewer jetter, a Clog Hog drain cleaner, and a jetter hose for a pressure washer. By taking preventative measures, you can avoid the buildup of iron ochre in your drain tile and keep your basement dry and free from water damage. Above all you should be testing and exercising your sump pumps daily, to ensure they will function when you need them.
https://www.egr.msu.edu/bae/water/drainage/iron-ochre-clogging
