Sump pump problems in your home often happen at the worst possible times, when there is a major risk of flooding. But this is not because sump pumps somehow conspire to inflict maximum pain on their owners. There are valid reasons why sump pumps appear to fail at the worst times, says Blue Roof Management team.
Sump pump failures happen all the time – any time of the year – but those problems are not found because the sump pump is not in use. It is only when a home’s basement is flooded that homeowners suddenly realize that their sump pump has failed.
The sump pump failed many weeks ago, but the problem was only found at the critical moment when the sump pump was needed. The resulting water damage to the home could have been averted if the homeowner discovered their sump pump’s condition.
This highlights the importance of having a schedule to regularly check your sump pump’s function. Like every complex system with multiple components and moving parts, sump pumps are vulnerable to numerous problems.
But these problems will only cause sump pump failure if you don’t know their existence and take steps to solve them. What are the most common causes of sump failure? Today, we discuss three problems that can cause your sump pump to fail.
Clogged and blockages
Clogs and blockages happen as a result of the debris inside dirty water getting stuck in the sump pump. Floodwater is usually loaded with debris, so it should not be surprising that this can happen.
A stuck float
The float controls the operation of the on/off switch. If debris impedes the float’s movement, the sump pump will not start or stop.
Clogged inlet
If the inlet at the bottom of the sump pump is clogged, it will stop the flow of water into the pump. It prevents the sump pump from removing water from the basin.
Jammed impeller
A jammed impeller is a device inside the sump pump that allows it to pull water into the system. If it is stuck because of debris, the sump pump will not work.
Clogged discharge line
A blocked discharge line will force pumped-out water to recycle into the sump basin, forcing the sump pump to cycle continuously until it burns.
Overworked sump pump
A sump pump can overwork to the point of failure. This is caused by installation errors. They are also the outcome of other problems, such as those described in the section above.
The sump pump is too small
The sump pump may be too small for the amount of water entering the home. More water may be flowing into the sump pit than the sump pump can handle.
The sump pit is too small
The sump pit may be too small for the amount of water entering the basement, causing it to fill up quickly and forcing the sump pump to cycle frequently.
Damaged check valve
After it is removed, the check valve prevents water from flowing backward into the pit. If the check valve is broken, the sump pump will overwork.
Stuck float
A stuck float switch can keep your sump pump working nonstop, even after all the water has been removed from the sump basin.
Constantly flooding sump pit
There are rare situations where the water table is so high that water steadily flows into the sump pit, forcing the pump to work nonstop.
Mechanical/electrical failure
Sump systems have many moving parts that can be damaged.
Switch failure
If the sump pump switch is stuck in the ON or OFF position, the sump pump will run continuously or not start at all.
Damaged impeller
If the impeller is damaged, the sump pump will vibrate excessively and make a lot of noise when working. If this problem is not solved, the sump motor will burn.
Power outage
If a power failure occurs during a storm, the sump pump will not work. Sadly, sump pumps are most needed during thunderstorms because of flooding.
How do you prevent sump pump failure?
Proper installation
Many causes of sump pump failure can be averted if the home’s needs are properly evaluated and understood before the pump is installed. Having a professional install your sump pump limits the risk of sump pump failure.
Adequate maintenance
Regular sump pump inspection and periodic maintenance will help you avoid failure. If the sump pump is tested during routine maintenance, problems in the system will be detected before the next flood event occurs.
What should you do now?
Talk to a professional plumber. An experienced plumber can assess your home’s sump pump system to point out vulnerabilities that make the system prone to failure. It is better to do this now than to spend thousands of dollars in the future fixing avoidable water damage to your home.