Sump Pump Failure: Causes, Prevention, and Solutions

How To Tell If Sump Pump Isn't Working?

Before learning to troubleshoot the situation, you should first know how to understand if the pump is failing.

• Odd rattling-type sounds
• Cycling irregularities—pump starts and ends cycles on its own
• Inefficient water removal—the device is on and working, but the water isn’t being emptied.  
• Musty Odors: If the basement smells moldy, it may indicate a broken pump.
• Flooding—obviously, if there’s active flooding in your basement, the pump definitely doesn’t function.

Reasons Behind Sump Pump Failures

Power Outages

The most common reason behind pump failure is the power outages. Unless your home has an electrical generator available, there’s a high chance that sump pump will not function until the power is back on. As a solution to this problem, you can opt for installing a backup generator in your home.

Poor Installation

Unfortunately, when sump pumps aren’t installed by professionals, it might result in early failure. The solution to this problem is preventing the issue altogether by making sure the installation is done by a professional plumber.

Insufficient Capacity

Sometimes, the size of the sump pump and the water it has to drain in that moment aren’t compatible. As a result of this, the pump cannot handle the demand, and flooding may occur. This problem is especially common in hurricane seasons. As a solution, if you live in an area that receives heavy rainfall, you may decide to upgrade the pump and get it in a size that will be able to tolerate the rainfall.

Faulty Components

Similar to other devices, sump pumps also undergo wear and tear alone, which can cause them to have certain damaged parts, causing the pump to fail eventually. In this case, you can contact professionals for repair or sump pump replacement.

Ways to Avoid Sump Pump Failure

• Size—If you want to install a sump pump, make sure to choose the size of the pump appropriate depending on factors such as the size of your home and the region you live in. If you aren’t sure about the ideal size, you can always contact a professional.
• Discharge Line Inspection—Make sure to inspect the discharge line of your pump to see if there is any debris. Over time, debris can clog the line and prevent the water from being emptied in the right manner.
• Power Backup—As we mentioned before, if you have a backup power source, in the case of a power outage, you won’t be experiencing electrical problems with your sump pump.
• Regular Maintenance—Of course, regular maintenance is the single most important factor of a well-functioning sump pump. Pay attention to the signs we mentioned and seek help from professionals for regular maintenance.

Reliable Plumbing Services of Your Area

In summary, just like other devices, sump pumps can still malfunction. The important thing is knowing the common reasons behind the malfunction, how you can notice these and take action, and how you can take precautions. After reading this article, if you think it’s time for you to schedule a maintenance with professional plumbers and need some assistance, waste no more time and contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing.  No matter what kind of plumbing service you need, we are here to keep your home safe. Schedule your appointment today.