Sump pumps are used in Southern California to pump water through a discharge pipe pulling away from the home’s foundations. If a sump pump fails, the result is usually flooding in the basement. This can lead to expensive damage and time-consuming repairs. The truth is that it does not take a lot of water to cause damage. A little bit of water on the basement floor can rapidly become a mold problem. Instead of waiting until a sump pump fails, it’s best to address sump pump problems early.
An Overwhelmed Sump Pump
If you purchase a sump pump that is not the right size for your space, it may not be able to handle the high volumes of water that it needs to. This can mean your sump pump works just fine, but you still have a flooded basement. You may need to install more than one sump pump in some homes.
A Defective Device
There are two common defects that are seen in sump pumps. The first is a damaged impeller. The impeller in your sump pump is what helps to move the water. Another common issue is a broken float switch. The float switch is what activates your pump, turning it off and on. If the float switch becomes damaged, the pump may not turn on, it may not turn off or it might not activate when you need it to work.
A Burnt-Out Pump
Your sump pump might burn out if the float switch is faulty. If the switch gets stuck in the on position, the pump might run when it doesn’t need to. Additionally, if your pump is not powerful enough, it might be continually running because it cannot keep up with the amount of water it needs to remove. Cheap pumps are made with inexpensive materials. These are prone to failure, especially when you need the sump pump to work the most during wet weather.
Dealing With Sump Pump Clogging
Sump pumps often get clogged with debris, such as leaves, twigs or sludge, obstructing the pump’s functioning by preventing water movement and leading to pump failure.
The discharge pipe or drain often encounters clogging. When this occurs, the pipes intended to carry water away from the pump get blocked, resulting in water backup and pump failure.
In colder climates, especially during winter, the discharge lines of your sump pump might freeze or become obstructed with ice, causing water backup and subsequent pump failure. Regular winter checks of your sump pumps are crucial to ensure they functioning properly.
The intake screen, designed to prevent debris from interfering with your sump pump’s operation, can also become clogged. If clogged with debris, the pump has to work harder to pull water, potentially leading to overheating and burnout.
A clogged or obstructed discharge pipe might cause your pump to run continuously, even when there’s no water present. The discharge pipe is the route through which water is removed from your home, but a blockage can mislead the pump into thinking there’s water to remove, even in its absence.
Proper maintenance is key to preventing your sump pump from clogging. Many homeowners make the mistake of not having their sump pump maintained or cleaned regularly. As a result, the pump becomes clogged, and it doesn’t operate when you need it. During a professional inspection, technicians will not only clean the pump, but they can check it for signs of wear and tear. This way, you will know that your sump pump is ready to protect your home when needed.
Power Outage
A power outage is something that homeowners never want to experience. However, thunderstorms or heavy rains can knock out the power. Hiring a professional to install the right-sized pump and a backup pump powered by batteries is the best way to protect your home before the next storm brings down power lines. Battery-powered backups are designed to keep sump pumps working during a power outage. Our expert technicians can help you find a sump pump that runs on battery power for several hours. There’s also the option of having our technicians connect the pump to a designated circuit that bypasses a malfunction that could happen if another appliance on the same circuit causes the breaker to trip.
The Importance of Professional Sump Pump Installation
Installing a sump pump is not a DIY task. A simple mistake during installation can jeopardize your home’s safety from water damage. One of the most significant errors made by DIY enthusiasts is choosing the wrong sump pump or incorrect installation location. It’s crucial for the discharge pipe to have a clear path to the outside, allowing water to discharge away from the foundation. Incorrect sump pump placement can result in severe problems.
Another installation mistake is neglecting to ensure the foundation is adequately waterproofed. The sump pump will run continuously without proper waterproofing, and your basement remains vulnerable to flooding.
Some DIY attempts involve connecting the discharge pipe to the wrong drainage location. The discharge pipe should always connect to a dry well, storm sewer or other approved drainage system. Connecting it to a sanitary sewer can lead to sewage backing up into the home. This emphasizes the necessity of relying on experienced professionals for sump pump installation to guarantee it functions effectively when needed.
Ensuring Sump Pump Reliability and Preventing Issues
Lightning storms causing power surges can result in electrical failure for a sump pump. In such cases, a backup power source may not suffice to get the pump working again. To mitigate this risk, consult the technician who installed the sump pump and request the installation of a service entrance surge protection device.
An overwhelmed sump pump can lead to flooding. If your sump pump is struggling to handle the incoming volume of water, or you fear it’s overwhelmed, ask our plumbers to design a system suitable for your home.
If your basement is flooding due to excess water in the sump pump, it’s likely your area has a high water table, or your home may be situated on top of a spring. In such cases, our plumbers may suggest installing a second sump pump or raising the level of the existing one.
Maintaining a properly functioning and well-maintained sump pump is crucial, especially in flood-prone areas with high water levels. Identifying common sump pump issues and consulting an experienced plumber will enable you to prevent most sump pump incidents. In the event of an incident, prompt action can prevent it from escalating into a disaster.
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