Category Archives: sump pumps

Jun '23

Troubleshooting Guide: Common Issues with Sump Pump Systems

Sump pumps protect your home from basement flooding. They make it possible to travel or sleep without worrying that a basement flood will damage your home. A functioning sump pump means that basement floods will never take you by surprise.

But the value of your sump pump lies in its ability to do its work without the need for your direct involvement. Sump pumps automatically power on when water enters your basement and turn themselves off after that water is removed.

If the sump pump fails to do this, it will not provide any protection against flooding. However, since you are oblivious to the failure of the sump pump, you will continue to rely on it for protection. Prime Realty Property Management warns that is one of the biggest issues homeowners have with their sump pumps.

This kind of sump pump issue is usually not discovered until after a flood has damaged your home. But you can avoid problems like this if you know how to troubleshoot a sump pump to ensure it works. Troubleshooting your sump pump will give you peace of mind.

In this short guide, we explain the common issues with sump pump systems and how you can troubleshoot these problems to avoid a flooding emergency in your home.

How to troubleshoot some common sump pump issues

Do these checks at the approach of flood season and during flood season.

Sump pump doesn’t have power

Power outages during storms can cause your sump pump to stop working. The sump pump may also lose power if someone forgets to plug it in or accidentally flips the circuit breaker. There are two things you can do to protect yourself in these situations. You can install a water alarm to let you know when the sump pump is not working. You may also install a battery-powered backup sump pump in case the main pump stops working.

Sump pump float is jammed

The float switch is responsible for switching on the sump pump when the water level in the sump pit rises and turning it off when the water level is low. If the float switch is stuck, it cannot perform this function. Pour water into the pit until you hear the pump power on to check if the float switch is functioning. Wait until the water is pumped out to see if the pump turns off automatically.

Sump pump is clogged

Before water enters your sump pit, it may have flowed over the ground and picked up debris. The debris inside the water can get inside your sump pump and clog it. A clogged sump pump will not only overwork but will not pump water adequately. Elevate your sump pump above the sump pit floor by placing it on a pedestal to prevent clogs. Create a schedule for cleaning your sump pit and sump pump.

The check valve is damaged

There is a check valve inside the discharge pipe of your sump pump. This valve prevents discharged water from flowing back into the pit. If the valve is faulty, the sump pump will run continuously because discharged water will circle back into the sump pit. If your sump pump runs continuously and the problem is not due to a jammed float switch, you may need to replace the check valve. A damaged check valve will overwork and damage your sump pump.

Discharge line is clogged

The sump pump discharge line can get clogged at its exit or freeze during winter. If either of these happens, discharged water will flow back into the sump pit instead of flowing to the discharge point. Install grates at the end of the discharge pipe to keep debris and small animals out of the discharge line. A special grated discharge line attachment will allow your discharge pipe to continue to work even when the discharge pipe is frozen.

a plumber performing sump pump maintenance.

Frequent sump pump failure could be a sign that you need a bigger and more durable sump pump.

The sump pit is too small

If the sump pit is not big enough to handle the volume of water that enters it, the sump pump will run more often than it should. That will make the sump pump more vulnerable to failure because the motor will burn out. If your sump pump runs continuously and you have determined that the problem is not due to a stuck float switch or damaged check valve, it could be that the sump pit is too small.

The sump pump is wrong for your home

You will have frequent sump pump issues if the sump pump’s capacity does not match the needs of your home. The right size of the sump pump depends on how much water you expect the sump pump to handle. The amount of rainfall your area receives and proximity to large water bodies are factors that influence sump pump size. Frequent sump pump failure could be a sign that you need a bigger and more durable sump pump.

Lastly, to make sure your sump pump system does not disappoint you when you need it most, make a plan to have the sump pump inspected on a schedule by a professional plumber.

Jun '23

How to Avoid Sump Pump Failures and Flooding in Your Home

A sump pump system is one of the most effective defenses against basement flooding in your home. Sump pumps also help to prevent sewage backups. They reduce humidity levels in the house and will reduce the risk of mold in your basement.

The best thing about sump pumps is they virtually run themselves. You don’t have to manually switch them on and off. The sump pump will automatically power on to remove water from your basement and switch off after the water is pumped out of your home.

But to fully enjoy the peace of mind afforded by a sump pump, you must maintain it to prevent failure. Fall River Property Management warns that sump pump failure is a major problem for homeowners. If the sump pump fails without the owner’s knowledge, the home will be exposed to the risk of flooding.

There are many reasons sump pumps fail. Most of them can go undetected for a long time. In many cases, the homeowner only learns of the problem after the damage is done. If your home is flooded despite your sump pump, the entire purpose of the system is defeated.

How do you ensure your home is fully protected from basement flooding by avoiding sump pump failure?

How to avoid sump pump failure

To prevent sump pump failure, you must know the common causes of the problem. Below are the reasons your sump pump may fail and what you can do about them. Note that to detect these problems before they create an emergency in your home, you must inspect your sump pump regularly.

Stuck float switch

The float switch is the device that turns the sump pump on and off. It is a buoyant switch that monitors the water level in the sump pit to determine when to trigger the sump pump. Debris around the float switch can jam it. It can also be displaced by the vibration of the motor. Clean, adjust and test the float switch every time you inspect the sump pump. To test the float switch, pour some water into the sump pit until the water level is high enough for the sump pump to power up. Wait until the pit is empty to see if the motor powers off.

Clogged lines

Clogs interfere with or even prevent the proper function of your sump pump. Clogs can happen in various areas of the system, and they are mostly caused by debris. If one of the following lines/pipes is clogged, the pump will not be able to move water out:

Clogged discharge line: If the discharge line is blocked, discharged water will back up into the pump and cause it to fail.
Clogged intake screen: The intake screen may be blocked by debris. It will force the pump to work harder, ultimately leading to failure.
Frozen discharge line: This mostly happens in winter. It has the same effect as a clogged discharge line. Adding insulation to the pipe can prevent this issue.

The way to solve some of these problems is to inspect and clean your sump pump regularly.

Loss of power

The sump pump will lose power if there is a power outage during a storm. Another common reason a sump pump may be disconnected from power is if someone in the home unplugs it and fails to plug it back or the circuit breaker is accidentally turned off. Problems with the home’s wiring can also cause this problem. A high water alarm system will alert you if your sump pump is not working. You may also add a second layer of protection with a battery-powered backup pump.

Undersized sump pit

If your sump pit is too small for the volume of water that enters your home, the sump pump will be overwhelmed and ultimately fail. The size of your sump pit should be determined by the average rainfall amount in your area and whether your home is close to a large water body. Soil drainage is another factor that can influence how much water enters your sump pit. If you have had sump pump failures in the past, you may want to have an expert check the sump pit to see if it is adequate for your home’s needs.

Wrong size pump

In the same way that the sump pit can be inadequate for your home, the sump pump can be too small for your house. Sump pumps come in various sizes. The right size depends on the volume of water you expect to enter the basement. As a rule, it is always better to have a sump pump with excess capacity than one that perfectly suits the needs of your home.

To conclude, the best way to avoid sump pump failure is to have a plumber thoroughly inspect your sump pump system and make recommendations on how you can improve the system. Regular sump pump inspections will also let you catch problems before they become emergencies.

Apr '23

Sump Pumps: Last Line Of Defense For Spring Flooding

Spring is the time of the year when there is the most number of incidents of flooding in homes. That’s because as the snow melts and rainfall increases, the large volumes of runoff created and rising groundwater often overwhelm the flood prevention system in homes.

The result is that more homes experience flooding in spring than at any other time of the year. But the TrustArt Realty Team advises there are steps homeowners can take to protect their houses from spring flooding. These measures include a range of steps that can be taken inside or outside the home:

Sealing cracks and leaks in walls, floors and foundations to prevent water infiltration.
Keeping gutters and downspouts free of debris.
Ensuring downspouts are draining at a proper distance from the foundation.
Proper grading of the soil around the home to make sure it slopes away from the building.
Ensuring that swales, French drains and catch basins are well-maintained.
Keeping the main sewer line clog-free to prevent backflow of wastewater into the home.

These steps should be your home’s first line of defense against flooding. They drastically reduce the home’s exposure to the risk of spring flooding. But they do not eliminate the risk. If there is a severe storm or a river overflows, it is still possible that your home will get flooded.

This is why your home needs a failsafe system to serve as its last line of defense against spring flooding. This system should automatically kick in when all your other safeguards fail. For most homes, the measure that has proven the most effective in this regard is a sump pump.

Sump pumps; how they work and why your home needs one

Unlike the other flood-protection methods listed above – all of which try to keep water out of your home – a sump pump operates on a different idea – it works to get water out of your home. While the other methods are preventative, the sump pump is corrective.

Sump pumps ensure that if runoff or groundwater ever finds its way into your home, the water is removed before it can do any harm. Sump pumps operate in a worst-case scenario; they assume that flooding will happen in your home at some point, and they work to protect the home.

How do sump pumps work? Sump pumps are made of several components which work together to keep a flooding incident inside your home’s basement from becoming a disaster. The main elements of the sump pump system are:

A sump basin; usually 2 feet deep and 18 inches wide.
A submersible or pedestal pump with a motor that can come in a range of sizes.
A float switch which automatically turns the pump on when it detects water.
A check valve to prevent backflow and short cycling.
A strainer basket to catch debris and keep it from entering the motor.

When the water inside the sump basin rises to a predetermined level, the float switch activates the pump. The water is pumped out of the basement and carried to a safe location, away from the house. When the water inside the pit is sufficiently low, the float switch will turn off the pump.

How to make sure your sump pump never fails

Sump pumps are not a system you can set and forget. If you don’t understand this, you may wake up one day to the sad sight of a flood inside your basement. To help the sump pump play its role as your home’s last line of defense against spring flooding, you should do the following:

Test the sump pump

Periodically test the sump pump to ensure its automatic function is working. Testing a sump pump is as simple as pouring water into the sump pit until the float rises and the motor kicks in. Watch to see if the sump pump turns off after the water is pumped out.

Install a sump pump alarm system

There are different types of sump pump alarm systems. Some alarm systems make a loud noise to warn you of problems, while others send emails and text messages. Some alarm systems only monitor water levels in the pit, but others are more advanced.

Install a battery backup pump system

Because it is connected to your home’s electricity supply, the sump pump will not work if there is a power outage. Blackouts often happen when you need the sump pump most – during storms. A battery-powered backup system can save you in these situations.

Replace your sump pump

Sump pumps should be replaced every 7-10 years. But this also depends on how much maintenance the pump gets and the volume of water it handles. If you maintain the sump pump on a schedule, it will be easy to detect signs of impending failure before it happens.

Lastly, you want to have proper flood insurance. Weather patterns around the world are changing because of climate change. Even if you think your home is not at risk of flooding, adequate flood insurance will give you peace of mind in case the unexpected happens.