--- title: How I Replaced my Sump Pump Check Valve description: Replacing my sump pump check valve, tools required and the step by step process. image: https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hubfs/Risa%20Blog%20post%20image%203.png --- # * [Sump Pump Check Valves](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/topic/sump-pump-check-valves) * How I Replaced my Sump Pump Check Valve SHARE [mailto:?subject=How+I+Replaced+my+Sump+Pump+Check+Valve&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plumbeeze.com%2Freplacing-a-sump-pump-check-valveReplacing+my+sump+pump+check+valve%2C+tools+required+and+the+step+by+step+process.+](mailto:?subject=How+I+Replaced+my+Sump+Pump+Check+Valve&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plumbeeze.com%2Freplacing-a-sump-pump-check-valveReplacing+my+sump+pump+check+valve%2C+tools+required+and+the+step+by+step+process.+) When I moved into my house I realized the sump pump check valve should be replaced. It was installed 3 feet above the pump, outside the pit and above the floor. This meant my pump was running more than it needed to. Check out our blog on [sump pump check valves](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/sump-pump-check-valves) to learn more about them. Join me in selecting a check valve and through the installation process. Having never done this before I learned some things along the way that will make it easier for you. ## Selecting a check valve When making the decision on which sump pump check valve to get I looked at two different ones, Part A (left) and Part B (right). Part A uses compression connection and can be installed on either 1-1/4” or 1-1/2” pipe. Generally it is a more expensive option but doesn’t require any extra tools. Part B uses flexible boots, less expensive and requires a nut driver or screw driver to tighten the clamps around the pipe.![Selecting check valve](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Selecting%20check%20valve.jpg?width=350&name=Selecting%20check%20valve.jpg) For my use I selected Part A because there were no extra tools required, and it was more compact than Part B, taking up a little less space in the piping. (It really comes down to preference.)   ## What I needed for the replacement **Sump pump check valve** **Pipe** - Since my old check valve was installed 3 feet up the sump pump, I decided to replace the whole pipe to cut back on the connections that could leak down the road. **Elbow** – To make the 90° turn from the vertical discharge pipe to the horizontal pipe that passes through the wall to drain outside. **Saw** – To cut the pipe to the correct length. **PVC cement** – This is to glue the pipe into the elbow. **Screw driver** – For removing the old check valve.   ## Steps that I took 1. **Drained the water from the pit.** Lifting the float so the sump pump turned on and pumped water out of the pit. 2. **Disconnected the power to the pump.** 3. **Cut the pipe at the elbow.** 4. **Disconnected the old check valve and drained the water from the pipe.** ![Remove old](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remove%20old.jpg?width=245&name=Remove%20old.jpg)I cut the elbow first, which left the loose pipe full of water while disconnecting the check valve. I would recommend disconnecting the check valve and draining the water first to prevent water from spilling out the top of the pipe. To drain the water, I used my hand to hold the flapper open and let the water drain down. 5. **Removed the pump from the pit and cut the pipe to where the new check valve is being installed. **I cut just above the max water level in the pit before the pump starts, approximately 1 foot from pump. 6. **Installed the check valve onto the pipe attached to the pump.** Since I chose the compression check valve, I made sure to put the compression nut on the pipe before the check valve body. When completing this step, I made sure that the arrow dictating flow was pointed in the right direction. 7. **Installed the new pipe into the top of the check valve.![Tightening Compression Connection](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tightening%20Compression%20Connection.jpg?width=350&name=Tightening%20Compression%20Connection.jpg)** 8. **Put the pump back into the pit.** Make sure the float is not obstructed by the walls or anything else in the pit. 9. **Positioned the upper pipe close to the discharge in the wall.** 10. **Glued the elbow onto the horizontal discharge.** 11. **Cut the vertical discharge pipe with about an inch more than the bottom of the elbow so it could be glued inside.![Elbow & Pipe](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Elbow%20%26%20Pipe.jpg?width=300&name=Elbow%20%26%20Pipe.jpg)** I should have glued it to the vertical discharge first as the pipe needed to be cut longer and inserted into the elbow. This was a challenge as the elbow was already glued in place. 12. **Glued the vertical pipe to the elbow completing the discharge piping.** 13. **Filled the pit to test my work.** I noticed that there was a tiny leak and had to tighten the compression connections on the check valve. 14. **Taped the cords to the discharge pipe.** I taped them to the side but should have taped them to the back so there was no interference with the cover on top of the pit. ![Finished](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Finished.jpg?width=300&name=Finished.jpg) Replacing a sump pump check valve turned out to be less stressful than I expected. There were definitely moments where I realized after the fact there was a better way of doing it, but it worked out in the end. I really hope that my experience replacing my sump pump check valve helps you replace yours. If I can do it so can you! That being said, if you’re not comfortable don’t be afraid to ask for help! ### Newsletter Signup Sign Up To Get Our Free Insights Delivered To Your Inbox ## **You May Also Like [![Connecting PEX Pipe using Stainless Steel Pinch Clamps](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hubfs/pinch%20clamp%20with%20tool.png) #### * Apr 28, 2021 3:59:52 PM | Stainless Steel * Connecting PEX Pipe using Stainless Steel Pinch Clamps ](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/connecting-pex-pipe-using-stainless-steel-pinch-clamps) [![Frequently Asked Questions: Stainless Steel Fittings & Nipples](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hubfs/FAQ%20Blog(2).png) #### * Aug 13, 2020 2:31:15 PM | Fittings * Frequently Asked Questions: Stainless Steel Fittings & Nipples ](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/frequently-asked-questions-stainless-steel-fittings-nipples) [![Stainless PEX Fittings](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/hubfs/sspex.png) #### * Feb 10, 2021 2:36:55 PM | Stainless Steel Fittings * Stainless PEX Fittings ](https://blog.plumbeeze.com/stainless-pex-fittings) [Learn More ](https://www.example.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/author/risa-bedard#author", "@type" : "Person", "email" : "risa.bedard@boshart.com", "image" : { "@id" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/author/risa-bedard#authoravatar", "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/7eed79adbaeeec9b64be6d3016d619d4" }, "name" : "Risa Bedard", "sameAs" : [ ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/replacing-a-sump-pump-check-valve#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@id" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/author/risa-bedard#author" }, "commentCount" : 0, "dateModified" : "2024-10-01T12:0000+0000", "datePublished" : "2020-11-04T12:1500+0000", "headline" : "How I Replaced my Sump Pump Check Valve", "image" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/replacing-a-sump-pump-check-valve", "inLanguage" : "en-ca", "keywords" : [ "Sump Pump Check Valves", "DIY" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/replacing-a-sump-pump-check-valve", "name" : "How I Replaced my Sump Pump Check Valve", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.yourdomain.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://blog.plumbeeze.com/replacing-a-sump-pump-check-valve", "wordCount" : 763 } ```