Why a leaking sump is a bigger problem than it looks
An underground sump sits in the soil, out of sight. A small crack can leak for months before anyone notices. Stored water is lost every day, the motor runs longer to keep the tank full, and in the monsoon, when the ground around the sump is wet, water can flow the other way: soil water and seepage can enter the tank through the same cracks. Over time the moisture also attacks the concrete and the steel inside it.
Signs your sump or water tank is leaking
- The water level drops even when nobody is using water and the inlet is closed.
- The motor runs more often than it used to, or the water bill goes up for no reason.
- The ground around the sump stays wet, or there is seepage on nearby walls and floors.
- Muddy or discoloured water in the tank after rain.
- Visible cracks or damp patches on the inside walls when the tank is empty.
- Moss or algae growing on the outside of an overhead tank.
A simple check: fill the sump, close the inlet, switch off the motor and mark the water level. If it drops noticeably over a few hours with no water being used, the tank is leaking.
Common causes of sump and tank leakage
- Cracks in the walls or floor from settlement, poor curing or age.
- Joints between the floor and walls, and between the walls and the slab on top.
- Pipe openings where the inlet, outlet and overflow pipes pass through the wall.
- No waterproofing at construction, or old plaster that has become porous.
How sump waterproofing is done
- Inspection. We check the tank, the level drop and the area around it to find where it is leaking.
- Empty and clean. The tank is emptied, the silt is removed and the walls are cleaned so materials can bond.
- Treat cracks and joints. Cracks are opened and filled, and the floor-wall joints and pipe openings are sealed.
- Waterproof the walls and floor with a system chosen for the tank's condition.
- Cure and test. The tank is given time to cure, then filled and checked before handover.
A real job: sump waterproofing in Suncity
Our team recently worked on an underground water tank (sump) in Suncity, Hyderabad. With the tank emptied, the walls could be inspected and treated properly, sealing cracks and joints before the waterproofing so the sump holds water as it should.
Get your sump or tank checked
If your sump or overhead tank shows any of the signs above, it is worth fixing before the next monsoon. See our water tank and sump waterproofing service, or read about why terraces leak after the monsoon.
We work across Hyderabad from our office in Anand Nagar, Ramanthapur, including Dilsukhnagar, Secunderabad and Turkayamjal.
Frequently asked questions
Fill the sump, switch off the inlet and motor, and mark the water level. If the level drops noticeably over a few hours while no water is being used, the sump is losing water through cracks or joints. Damp patches, seepage on nearby walls or the ground staying wet around the sump are other signs.
Yes. The same cracks that let stored water out can let groundwater and dirty water from the soil in, especially in the monsoon when the ground around the sump is saturated. That is why a leaking sump is a hygiene problem as well as a water-loss problem.
Yes. The tank is emptied, cleaned and allowed to dry so the cracks can be treated and the waterproofing can bond to the walls and floor. We plan the work so your water supply is interrupted for as short a time as possible.
Yes. We waterproof underground sumps and overhead concrete water tanks across Hyderabad. Every job starts with an inspection and an itemised quote.