How to Repair a Broken Drainage Crock

Take the lid off of the sump pump and look down into it using your flashlight. If you see dirt in the drainage crock, then try and identify where it's come from. If an entire side of the crock has collapsed, then the source is obvious; but it might just be a small crack. Make sure that you can see a problem before you start disassembling everything.

Turn off the power to the sump pump. Either flip a switch up above the sump, or open the circuit breaker that controls the power to the sump. Once the sump is turned off, set the lid aside and disconnect the power cables and tubes from the sump pump. Lift the pump out of the drainage crock, and then lift the crock out of the hole. This will cause dirt and gravel to slide into the hole.

Clean the crock off and examine the damage done to it. If there's a small crack in the side, for instance, you could cover that crack over in adhesive or with a plastic patch for the grade of plastic the crock is made of. On the other hand, if your crock is brittle and falling apart, sporting large holes or is otherwise in a condition that you can't glue back together, then you will need to replace it.

Dig out the gravel and soil in the hole and put the crock back in place. Fill the space around the crock with new gravel. Watch to be sure that your repairs hold up or that a new crock remains stable. Place the pump back into the crock, and reconnect all of the cords and hoses in their original positions. Replace the lid, and turn the power back on.