I've recently repaired a loose pipe connection coming out from my basement sump, but unfortunately that has not cured the smell emanating from the lid. This evening I took the time to clean off the lid and see if I could figure out the smell.

What I found was that 2/3 of the lid appears to be metal and the other 1/3 plastic. I had noticed what seemed like a rubber/foam squished out some on the smaller piece, so removed the single bolt holding it down to take a look.



It looks like whoever initially installed it, just used a bunch of strips of what looks like weather stripping and left it at that.

I want to seal this properly, but am not sure whether I should just use silicone caulk all around the lid and pipes, or if I should first look into replacing the entire lid and doing things properly. I'm not sure how well sealed a lid that's 2 parts will ever be.



My concern with removing the existing lid entirely is finding a new lid with matching openings for the pipes. Additionally there's a worry at finding more half a**ed work underneath!!

Any advice on getting this done properly and finally getting rid of the smell much appreciated! Thanks.

 

Is this a ground water sump or sewage?

 

It's a sewage pit/pump. Thanks.

 

My first thought would be to get some soft durometer EPDM rubber 1/4" thick and make a seal between the lid and the pit and forget trying to use caulks!

 

I agree. I would NOT use caulk. You need to be able to open it up reasonably easy for servicing.

 

Thanks, first thing I think I'll do is see if I can find a replacement lid that's a single piece. That should then remove the one point where gas and smells can escape, then remove the old lid, clean all around the pit and use EPDM rubber to seal a new lid.