They quickly eliminate excess water and prevent your basement from flooding that might occur after heavy rains, rapid melting of snow, or because of groundwater. Its not uncommon for the intake to the pump to become clogged. I know from experience. Discharge lines should thus be checked from time to time to ensure there is no clogging or blockages. To prevent it, make sure you always have water in the trap. The discharge pipe should have a fully functional check valve that prevents water from flowing back to the pit. Also, check if the pump works only if theres water in the sump pit. Fortunately for homeowners like yourself, theres not a lot you have to do to keep your sump pump in tip-top shape! In case there is anything that is worrying you, its better to take action immediately and contact a professional rather than allow for a flood to occur. Otherwise, you may just need a knowledgeable technician to retrofit your discharge pipe so its in a more functional (and quieter) position. These could cause damage to the sump pump components such as onboard circuits and electrical parts. Sometimes the sump pit is simply too small and that makes the pump turn on too often. This movement could cause your float switch to get pushed up against the size of the pit, thus keeping it in the "off" position. Common reasons for failure include clogs and taking in too much water. Most sump pumps generally last between seven and 10 years. The next step is to check whether the inlet of the device is blocked. Needless to say, a flood could lead to extensive damages and costly repairs. Of course, the replacement can be significantly cheaper if you do it yourself as a good quality new submersible sump pump usually costs less than $400. Thus, its important to test the pump when its installed to ensure that it is able to operate effectively. This is about 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. An excessive influx of water. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On the other hand, if the sump pump is too small it will not manage to pump out water efficiently. If youre currently dealing with a broken air conditioner, an inefficient system, or you would like to schedule a routine, pre-season tune-up, Snell Heating and Air is here to help! Also, make sure you read the safety instructions of the manufacturer before troubleshooting. It this happens, youll here the motor running but you wont see the water pumping. But even the most well maintained sump pump can have issues. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". An improperly sized sump pit is filled quickly with water and that constantly triggers the appliance that will empty the pit in no time. Unfortunately,storms, losing powerand floods often go hand in hand. All Rights Reserved, Common Crawl Space Problems and How to Fix Them, A Guide to the Cost of a Vapor Barrier Installation. All Rights Reserved. Photos: Flickr (Fairfax County, Scott Akerman, State Farm, Jeff Covey, BRE Group). Test your sump pump regularly: pour a few gallons of water slowly into the sump basin and check if the float switch elevates and the sump pump turns on. For the sump pump to operate properly, the water will need to be directed through the discharge line, away from your property. You should have a drain tile inside or outside your home that collects incoming groundwater and diverts it to your sump pump. DailyHomeSafety.com may also contain links to other affiliate websites, including ShareASale, and we receive a commission for purchases made through such links. We try to do our best to deliver valuable and helpful information and give straightforward answers to your questions. An electrical power outage will basically mean that the sump pump cannot operate unless there is a backup generator to fire up in such events. If your pit is too large and too deep, your pump will remove more water than it needs to. If you suspect that your sump pump is clogged, unplug the device and check the openings (you can use a flashlight to see clearly): if something is blocking the inlet, remove it. The power of your sump pump is typically given in horsepowers. Sometimes the source of the failure is that the sump pump is the wrong size. You can get a gel pack system that will power your generator for days if your electrics are down. Its a big job, and not a DIY job for anyone who doesnt know what theyre doing. During dry spells, pour some water into the crock occasionally to keep it running and lubricated. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Plug only the pump cord back into the electrical outlet. You can prevent your pipe from clogging by protecting its opening with a grate or a screened vent cap. Make sure that the exit point is protected in some way to prevent rocks, twigs, leaves, soil, or even small animals such as rodents from entering the system. The sump pump might be overwhelmed with too much water. We offer dependable sump pump repair and installation services to homes in Arlington and other areas of Virginia. In the latter case, the float, which is responsible for switching on and off the pump, sometimes gets stuck and wont change its position, even if the water level rises. Make sure that the breaker for your sump pump hasn't been switched off. Diagnosing a faulty valve is pretty tricky, so its best to leave this one to the pros. If youve tried all the sump pump troubleshooting techniques listed above and your pump still isnt working properly, its time to bring in the pros. The following video shows the steps for replacing a sump pump.
Dont forget to clean the sump basin too, because if you wont eliminate the debris and silt, the pump will be clogged again sooner or later. Therefore, the float activator arm wont turn the switch on and the pump stays off. You can easily test your appliance by pouring water into the sump pit and checking if it pumps the water out from the pit. Understandably, this will prevent the pump from extracting water from the pit or the sump liner.
Pull the two cords apart here as well. While you may think that everything is working properly, a sump pump service carried out by a professional is a good rule of thumb every 1-2 years to make sure that everything is working properly. Its purpose is to stop the pump needing to overcome too much air pressure in the discharge pipe. VA: #2705177450 ELE GFC HVA PLB #2705135480, 8 Ordinary Sump Pump Problems & How To Fix. Luckily, this is an easy fixsimply adjusting and cleaning your pump usually does the trick.
A sump pump is a very useful device installed in the lowest part of your basement or crawl space, that removes excess water around the foundation of your property and pumps it away. Investing in a sump pump is a good way to deal with basement water levels. Snell can help you put in a high-performing, battery-powered pump and verify that it has a battery backup and alarm system so you know when your homes vulnerable. There are a few reasons this could be. Where the sump pump gets installed below grade, the discharge line will start off pointed up at an angle. If that is the case, you should consider getting a more powerful pump that suits your needs. If the heat is easily dispersed, then your system will last longer. Pipe insulation should be a suitable solution to this problem. If storms are frequent in your region, a backup generator can really give you peace of mind. Your sump pump will generate a lot of heat. This can lower its efficiency, or stop it from working completely. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Most manufacturers recommend the following: The sump pump should never be placed in dirt or gravel, as this will lead to a build up of debris which will dramatically affect the sumps operation. Repeat this process to make sure that it is working properly. Below we outline the 9 most common sump pump problems, and how to prevent them from reoccurring. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. A sump pump typically turns on only when needed, however, in case of a failure or during floods or heavy rains it might be working constantly. In addition, our team of licensed plumbers offers repair and maintenance services for water heater leaks, clogged drains, and damaged gas pipes. You should register the warranty with the manufacturer and keep your receipt anyway in case you have to file a claim later on. 
Maidstone Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Routine maintenance is crucial to ensure maximum efficiency. T: 01622 919012 Nothing lasts forever. Hire a sump pump contractor near you to ensure that your basement (and your home) stays protected.
Applying a vinegar solution through the sump pump to clean it from any debris and prevent clogs. Keep in mind float sensors only last about five to seven years, so a replacement may be in order if it's ineffective. Depending on the quality and age of your sump pump, as time goes on, the different parts (including the motor) of your appliance are worn out and stop working properly. Pour this in high enough to make the float switch engage. Make sure that your battery backup hasn't run out of power. It will begin by extracting the water out of the pit and directing it to an extraction pipeline which runs to external drainage, a well or soakaway. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of replacement ranges from $800 to $2000 (submersible) and from $400 to $900 (pedestal). Otherwise, your pump can burn itself out. You want to have a working sump pump, especially during a storm when you will be experiencing heavy rainfall.A backup battery system will also keep your sump pump running if your breaker trips and you are unaware of it.Installing a battery system will give you peace of mind and it is relatively inexpensive in comparison to the high cost of repairing damages due to flooding. Believe it or not, there is a right-sized sump pump for your home.
A functioning sump pump is very important in keeping your home safe from water damage, especially when you experience heavy rainfall from a storm or if your land is overly wet. Slowly pour about 20 litres of water into your sump pump pit until the float lifts up. Most sump pump models need this valve to work properly. Last of all, you shouldnt set the pit in gravel or dirt. Dont miss checking it out when troubleshooting. Make sure you cover your pump with a lid. Waterproof Basements: The Most Common Basement Waterproofing Myths, 7 Environmental Benefits of Waterproofing, The mechanical parts become clogged with dirt over time, Your float switch that turns the pump off and on can jam or freeze up with dirt. First, identify exactly which part of the pipe is frozen. Another common issue is that the sump pit is too dirty or has an improper size. Sump pumps have a drain trap which holds water. Having a backup system is highly recommended. Dirt and debris will easily interfere with the functioning of the pump, particularly the float arm or the on/off switch. The float switch tangles up or gets clogged in the system. Most discharge pipes also have an air relief hole (its pretty small) that can easily become clogged and lead to failure. Hence you need to ensure that each and every part is doing its job properly, otherwise the entire system will fail. Regular maintenance checks from a professional can help keep these issues at bay. If you want to make sure your sump pump wont let you down even during a power outage, you can use a generator. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all cookies and the collection, sharing, and use of personal data for personalised ads. If none of those options work, schedule an appointment with us to clean or replace your impeller and filter. If this pipe is clogged, the system stops working and water accumulates in the basement. In the vast majority of cases, sump pump failure is caused by one of the issues Im about to show you. Inspect the discharge line and overflow valve for clogs. If you live in an area where floods are common, you may want to know how you can effectively seal your doors to keep water out. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Most sump pumps switch themselves on automatically by means of a float activator or a pressure sensor. Copyright 2019-2022 DailyHomeSafety. If not, there can be a back-flow of water that causes the pump impeller to spin backwards. Sump pumps are installed in your basement and more often than not, are fitted into a bored circular trench, usually referred to as a pit. Your sump pump cant work if a storm knocks down your power, your circuit breaker trips, or the pump gets unplugged. A properly working system can mean the difference between a cool, comfortable summer and a hot, miserable few months. Lets see the possible causes. Therefore, you always want to make sure you have the right size sump pump installed. Turning on and off repeatedly within a short time makes the motor of the pump wear out quickly. In addition, the float switch that is engineered to maintain the sump pump may be stuck. This is usually between the check valve and the pump. For this reason, you should periodically test it to make sure that it is functioning well and will be working when you really need it. As an alternative, you can install a battery-powered backup sump pump (such as this one) that will prevent your basement from flooding if the electricity goes out. There are however, several other factors that can cause sump pump failure. Need Help? Its important to know how to maintain your sump pump so it lasts longer. Snell Heating and Air is the trusted name in heating services offering an unmatched level of service. DailyHomeSafety may earn money when you buy through links on our site. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". It depends on the cause of the failure. However, you can add coverage for sump pump failure anytime (not the same as flood coverage!). This is a fairly common mechanical issue that happens when debris jams the float or the pump shifts inside the basin (which causes the float that operates the sensor to become ineffective). Take the following steps to make sure that your sump pump is free from any clogs.Step 1: Locate the exit pipe that drains the water from your sump pump to the outside of your home. We can take a look to determine whether you need some basic maintenance, repair, or a replacement with an airtight lid and even a pedestal. Its typical in hot, dry weather. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Or it will be stuck on, meaning the sump runs all the time.
Remove debris, sand, and gravel from the sump pit regularly. It may sound obvious, but one of the first things you should do when your sump pump stops working is to check the power supply. While there are many types of drainage systems, all of them work on the same principle: they help keep your foundation and basement dry by channeling water into a pit. The former consists of a ball that floats on the surface of the water, and it will activate as soon as the water reaches a certain level. Click here to get the free guide.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Here are some of the most common ones and the steps to fix them. Weve collected the best methods in this article. Experts say that a sump pump has a lifespan of 10 years on average, however much depends on the build quality and frequency of use. The plumbing system will include a one-way valve which prevents any water extracted from reentering your home. A sump pump is your homes defense against flooding. So, as a second step, check out if the float can move freely. These are the most common sump pump problems and how to remedy them. The performance of the pump is reduced and it removes water slowly. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Snell Heating and Air can handle your every plumbing need. The manufacturers instructions are key, and you must follow them to the letter. Bring in the pros if you dont know what's wrong with your pump. There are a lot of problems that may cause the switch that is integrated with your sump pump to fail. Clanging noises can come from pipe vibrations while the sump pump is operating. Its important to look after your sump pump so youre not left high and dry when you need it the most. You can easily check if the socket of the sump pump is live by plugging another appliance into it. Its easy to overwork your sump pump in the event of flooding. It is also important to have the right-sized pit around your sump pump. This stops debris and dirt getting in and it should be safer. If these troubleshooting tips dont help drain the pit, you may have a faulty valve (the part that opens and closes to let water out of the pump).
Every device is different, therefore the manufacturers instructions should always be followed during installation. Keep the drainage system clean and make sure it channels water into the pit properly. Much depends on the cause of the failure. Even though you might be willing to carry out preventive maintenance tasks regularly, there may be instances or faults which will need to be tackled by an expert. Make sure you get someone to check your sump pumps installation was correct. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If this valve is broken, a significant amount of water will flow back into the pit during the operation of the sump pump and that can easily overwhelm the device and may lead to a failure. If youre going to install the pump yourself, make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter. The lack of proper maintenance can lead to debris accumulation in the basin that sometimes can prevent the free movement of the float, thus the smooth operation of the switch.
This is to stop gas and sewage backing up and entering your home. There are several spots where clogs could cause your sump pump to fail. Power outages can have an impact on them. Power failures are common during storms, and so its important to invest in a backup generator.
The check valve stops any of the water coming back to the pit as it travels through the upwards path of the line. It is a good idea to check the positioning of your sump pump from time to time to make sure that it is in the correct position and has not become lodged against one of the walls of your pit. It is a common problem to have a sump pump of an inappropriate size. Most manufacturers also insist on drilling a small relief hole for air in the discharge line. If your pump does not function properly, you should have it serviced or replaced. Tips & Insights: What is the Life Cycle of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coils? On average, sump pump repairs will cost $510, according to HomeAdvisor. Sump pumps are usually installed in your basement or crawlspace close to the walls of your foundation. The most common of these are stuck switches. Make sure you regularly check the sump basin, the discharge pipe, the drainage system, and the device itself, and do some cleaning or adjusting when needed. Note that in some cases, you might need an extra pump to keep up with a high volume of water. You have to do it right. Stuck switch. As a general rule of thumb, you should perform maintenance on your sump pump at least once a year. If your pump is overflowing, try the following before calling a technician: Pull the pumps plug and let it sit for a few minutes before plugging it back in. The discharge pipe must meet the manufacturers set required diameter too. They can tell you if its repairable or you need toreplace it. This means your pump has to work harder to get the same water back out again. Check the float switch to make sure that it is not restricted in any way. You can add a bleach solution as well to disinfect your drain. The material on this site is for general information purposes only and should not be used in place of consultation with qualified professionals. Sump pump failure is a pretty common issue, especially if maintenance is neglected. Your pump should start up and begin pumping water from the pit. We may earn money when you buy through links on our site. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Flooding in your basement can cause a lot of damage. 2967 Models Compared, 6 Clever Ways to Find Out If Someone Has Opened Your Door (With Illustration), Do I Need a Walker or Rollator? Read more information about our. If your sump pump has no power, check the following: Make sure that it is securely plugged into your power outlet and that it wasn't accidentally unplugged. KD Group Limited Our services include but are not limited to: Kitchens/Bathrooms: new plumbing and renovations, Clogged or Slow Moving Drains: leaks and repairs, Tankless Hot Water Heater & Sump Pump: repairs and installations, Backflow Devices: testing and installation, 14-105 Lexington Road, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4R7, Kitchener-Waterloo - 519-886-7331Cambridge - 519-886-7331Guelph - 519-836-2543, Running Toilet Fix: Step By Step for Beginners, If you hear a humming sound, then you know that your sump pump is still working. As with any other system or major appliance in your home, maintenance is crucial to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. that a check valve is installed on the discharge line, that a small air relief hole is drilled in the discharge line, in the space between the pump and the check valve, the discharge valve should be of a suitable diameter. We will also explain the importance of having a backup battery system. Then, when it pitches down, gravity takes it out of your home. If it is not, move it so that the exiting water flows out and not back into your home. One of the most common reasons that sump pumps fail is an electrical power outage. However, it is not abnormal for the drainage pipes to become frozen during the winter season. If you have ignored maintenance recently, its likely that the cause of the failure is a clogged pipe or device or a jammed float switch. Its channelling water up and away before it gets to the exit point. Most sump pumps turn on either through a pressure sensor or a float activator. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions.