Major Causes of Sump Pump Failure & Troubleshooting
A sump pump is a device installed in a home’s basement that helps pump water out of the basement and away from the house’s foundation. Sump pumps prevent basement flooding and protect the house’s foundation from water damage. And it is very important in homes located in areas with a lot of rain or snow melt because those are the times when your basement is most likely to flood.
However, sump pumps can fail, and when they do, they can cause a lot of water damage to your home and needs to repair by professional sump pump repair services.
So let’s look at some of the most common causes of sump pump failure and how you can troubleshoot them.
Causes of Sump Pump Failure
There are many reasons why a sump pump can fail, but some of the most common causes include:
Power Outage
The most frequent reason for sump pump failure is a power outage since it requires your home’s electricity supply to function properly. If the electricity goes out during a storm, water will most certainly accumulate in your basement or crawl space since the drainage isn’t functioning.
To prevent this, you may use a backup battery to keep your sump pump functioning for a few more hours while the rest of your home is without electricity. Also, if you live in a region that is likely to be without electricity for many days, having a generator at home will allow you to use all your devices until the power returns.
Poor Maintenance
If your sump pump is making odd noises or constantly cycling, it may be due to a lack of maintenance. This can cause water, dirt, and other debris to build up in its system. As a result, your sump pump will have to work harder, putting a strain on the system and causing it to fail eventually.
To prevent this, you should regularly check on your sump pump and clean it out if necessary. It would be best if you also had a professional basement waterproofing contractor come and inspect your sump pump every few years to ensure it is in good working condition.
This also goes for the backup battery and generator. They may not work when needed if you don’t maintain them properly.
Frozen Water Pipe
When the temperature drops below 32°F, water becomes solid, and sump pumps discharge water out into the natural environment, which will freeze when it comes into contact with the outside world. When water leaves a pipe, it may form an ice layer that keeps the water in the pipe from flowing properly.
If this happens, the sump pump will work harder than usual, and if it’s not maintained properly, it will fail. To prevent this, you should regularly check your sump pump and ensure the discharge pipe is not frozen. You can also insulate the pipe to keep it from freezing.
Overflowing Pipe
If there is too much water in the sump pit, it will cause the pump to work harder than usual and can eventually lead to failure. This is because the pump will have to work harder to discharge the water out of the pit, and if it’s not maintained properly, it will fail. This is true if your sump pump isn’t large enough for your home.
To prevent this, you should check the sump pit with a professional foundation repair and ensure it is not overflowing. You can also install a check valve to prevent water from flowing back into the pit.
A Stuck Switch
The most common problem with sump pumps is a stuck switch. This problem occurs when the float switch, which is responsible for turning the pump on and off, gets stuck in the “on” position. As a result, the pump will run continuously, causing it to overheat and fail.
To prevent this, you should regularly inspect the float switch and ensure it works properly. You can also install a backup float switch to take over if the primary one fails.
Failure Due to Old Age
Just like anything else, sump pumps don’t last forever. Over time, the various parts of your pump will break down and stop working correctly. As a result, your pump will have to work harder to do its job, and if it’s not maintained properly, it will fail.
Troubleshooting — What to Do When Your Sump Pump Fails
If your sump pump has failed, there are a few things you can do to try and troubleshoot the problem.
Check the Battery
Connecting another device may determine whether the sump pump’s socket is live. If you turn it on, you can be sure the outlet is receiving power. And the cause of failure is likely the sump pump itself.
Make Sure the Float Switch Is Working Correctly
A stuck float switch is a typical problem. Usually, the float gets caught when the device is moved from its original position in the sump basin or if debris is present in the pit. So, as a second step, check if the float can move up and down freely.
Inspect the Discharge Pipe
If your discharge pipe is blocked with dirt or ice, the pump won’t be able to remove water from your basement. So make sure to check the pipe for any blockages before using it.
The discharge pipe has a check valve that prevents water from re-entering the pit. If the valve is damaged, the pump will likely have difficulty removing water from the pit, making it run constantly or more often than usual.
All discharge pipes have an air relief port (which is tiny) that can easily get clogged and fail. When troubleshooting, don’t forget to inspect it.
Check If the Sump Pump Is Frozen
The next step is to look for blockages in the device’s intake. If this happens, the pump can easily become overwhelmed with a lot of rain because it can’t keep up with the high volume of water.
Read here to know when it’s time to replace your sump pump.
The Bottom Line
There are many potential causes of sump pump failure, but some are more common than others. To prevent your sump pump from failing, you should regularly check it for problems and maintain it properly with a professional sump pump repair service. If your sump pump does fail, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
