In homes with a significant risk of basement flooding, a sump pump is often the homeowner’s last resort for protecting their property from water damage. The sump pump typically serves as the last line of defense when other flood mitigation measures in the home have failed.
While other flood control measures such as berms, French drains, sandbags, or catch basins are located in the yard (outside the building) and are designed to keep water out of the house, a sump pump is different. The sump pump is inside the home to combat floods within the building.
It means that if the other flood control measures in the home fail, the home is still safe as long as the sump pump is in operation. However, if the pump fails, the house will be left completely at the mercy of basement floods. That is how essential a sump pump is for preventing flooding disasters.
To avert costly flooding inside your basement, Blue Door Realty experts advises it is vital to ensure that your sump pump does not malfunction unexpectedly, but is always fully operational. However, because sump pumps are designed to automatically power on and off, making sure their sump pump is working can be a huge problem for homeowners.
In most situations where a home gets flooded despite a sump pump being installed in the basement, the sump pump fails without the homeowner knowing it. As a result, the owner goes to sleep under the assumption that their home is protected by their sump pump.
The simple step to prevent this problem is to know the signs that your sump pump is about to fail and is due for replacement. What are those signs? Below, we explain six ways to gauge the reliability of your basement sump pump to determine if it is the right time to install a new one.
6 signs that your basement sump pump should be replaced
The sump pump is old
A sump pump has a preset number of years in which it is at its operational best. That is its projected lifespan as determined by the equipment manufacturer. This time frame varies according to the type and quality of your sump pump. Typically, a sump pump should last 7-10 years. Once it starts to approach its 10th year, the sump pump should be replaced.
The sump pump fails frequently
There are several reasons why a sump pump might fail. The most common ones are a jammed float valve, broken float switch, faulty electrical connections, burnt-out motor, or jammed impeller. These problems in themselves are not enough reasons to replace a sump pump. But if they become frequent, you should replace the unit.
The sump pump is noisy and vibrates
Grinding or rattling sounds from a sump pump means that there are damaged parts inside it. The same is true for a sump pump that vibrates excessively when working. It is only a matter of time before the sump pump fails, and there is no telling when that will happen. The best action in these situations is to replace the sump pump.
Constantly cycles on and off
The last thing you want in a sump pump is erratic behavior. The sump pump should work predictably. You want to know that it will power on when the water inside the pit reaches a certain level and also power off after the water has been removed. If the pump starts to go on and off unpredictably, it is no longer reliable and should be replaced.
The sump pump is too small
The capacity of your sump pump and the dimension of your sump basin should match the volume of flood water that enters your basement. When there is a mismatch between the two, the sump pump will work longer than it should. That makes your pump prone to damage and premature failure. If the sump pump is too small, it should be replaced.
The area is low-lying and muddy
If your home is located in a low-lying area, your sump pump will overwork. Even if the pump is the right size for the volume of water that enters your basement, it will still wear out faster. The rate of wear is also faster when the area is muddy, and a lot of mud finds its way into the sump pit. Sump pumps in such homes need to be replaced more often.
Finally, a sump pump may show some of the above signs and still be working. The problem is that, even though the pump is working, there is a huge chance it will stop working without warning.
What is the cost of replacing the sump cost and fixing your home after it has been damaged by a basement flood? If you are seeing any of the above problems in your sump pump, your best option is to replace it today
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