A sump pump is a vital component to your home that works around the clock to protect its foundation by keeping underground water at bay. As a new homeowner or someone who is interested to learn more about their sump pump, think of this system as any other device or appliance: it needs routine maintenance to ensure it’s reliable and functioning effectively.
Just like any other machine, sump pumps can fail at times. Unfortunately for some homeowners, only when their sump pump fails are they left scrambling to learn how the system works and how to fix the issue.
Sump pump failures don’t have to result in emergencies.
Find a brief overview about sump pumps, and learn the main causes of sump pump failure and how you can prepare for an emergency:
Why Sump Pumps are Installed
It’s extremely common for homeowners to not think about the water that seeps into the ground surrounding the foundation of their home.
But where does ground or rainwater go? How does this water not leak into the basement or a crawlspace?
Sump pumps are installed to keep water away from your home’s foundation and prevent your basement from flooding by pushing water out from under the home.
How Sump Pumps Work
Most of the actual pump lives underground. When a sump pump is installed, a sump pit is dug to house the pump. Typically, sump pits are dug in the lowest part of a basement and are two feet deep by 18 inches wide (approximate) with a gravel base.
During a heavy rain or when the ground is saturated with water, the pit will fill with water. When this happens, the pump will turn on and move water away from the foundation through pipes that run out from the home to a safe place where water can drain.
- The pipe that carries the water away from the foundation of the home usually has a check valve that only opens one way to keep the water from flowing back into the pit.
- Most sump pumps turn on automatically by the activation of a pressure sensor or a float activator arm. As water levels rise in the pit, the buoyant ball that is attached to the float activator arm rises as well and triggers the pump to start pushing water away from the house.
- To move the water, sump pumps use centrifugal force to move water.
- Sump pumps use electricity and don’t require specialized wiring.
4 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Fail & How to Prepare for a Pump Emergency
As a homeowner, you’ve probably already learned that prevention is better than reaction, and proper maintenance with everything is much less expensive than dealing with an emergency or large repair. Additionally, routine maintenance can significantly increase the life of any piece of equipment.
This is no different for sump pumps.
Here’s why sump pumps can fail and how to prevent your sump pump from breaking down on you when you need it most:
1. Power Outage
The number one cause of sump pump failures is an electrical power outage. While you can’t prevent the power for going out in your home, you can easily prevent a sump pump emergency by having a backup generator that can be manually activated.
When your home is caught in the middle of a strong, heavy rain storm that knocks out your power, having a backup electrical source for your sump pump can prevent your basement from flooding and potentially save you thousands of dollars in water damage.
Along the same lines of a power outage, some elements of the sump pump may be susceptible to damage from power surges. You can protect your sump pump by installing a surge protection device.
2. Ineffective Float Activator Arm
The most common mechanical issue with sump pumps is a problem with the pressure sensor or the float activator arm. As mentioned earlier, this arm automatically turns on the pump.
The arm usually becomes ineffective when the pump becomes off kilter inside the basin. Because all sump pumps depend on the on/off switch to function properly and, therefore, the float arm mechanism to remain in position and operating correctly, a sump pump float switch repair and routine maintenance can help catch any issues with the float activator arm.
3. Lack of Maintenance
There are several different stances on sump pump maintenance. Some manufacturers and technicians highly suggest testing your pump before the annual rainy season. Others suggest running sump pumps every 2-3 months.
In general, however, you can reduce the chance of a costly sump pump motor repair or emergency by completing the following maintenance recommendations during routine tests:
- Be sure to examine the discard pipe to ensure water is discharging from it properly and in an advantageous place.
- Locate the float to make sure it is working properly and not restricted.
- Listen for any abnormal sounds coming from the motor.
- Make sure the pump is actually pumping water. If it’s not, the impeller could be disengaged and will need to be fixed.
- Clean the air hole in the discharge line.
Also, it’s important that you check the effectiveness of the backup generator to guarantee that it’s working correctly.
4. Clogged or Frozen Discharge Lines
Without a clear way for water to exit, the entire sump pump will render ineffective and compound a wide array of other issues.
To prevent a sump pump emergency from a blocked or frozen discharge line, it’s exceeding beneficial to place a grated covering on the opening of the pipe so debris and animals do not get in.
By insulating your discharge line and your intake section, you can prevent the discharge line from freezing or becoming blocked by ice and snow.
Make Sump Pump Maintenance A Part of Your Regular Home Improvement Plan
If you just moved into a new home, or you’re concerned about the performance and longevity of your current sump pump, we highly recommend you schedule a sump pump inspection.
This will help to protect all the belongings you’re moving into or have in your basement from water damage caused by a sump pump emergency.
