Sump pumps are your home’s last line of defense against basement flooding. Sump pumps let you go to sleep at night without fear of waking up to a flooded basement in the morning. Even when you are away from your home, the sump pump dutifully watches over your prized possession, your home.
This is why Legacy Realty & Management advises it is vital to care for your sump pump and ensure it is always in good condition. There is no worse scenario than for a sump pump to fail without the homeowner knowing it. If this happens, the issues with the sump pump may only be discovered after your home gets flooded.
A flooded basement completely defeats the purpose of having a sump pump in your home. But the truth is that sump pumps rarely fail without giving some warning signs. Most times, the homeowner’s failure to see or respond to those signs results in a flooding incident in their basement.
Knowing the warning signs of an impending sump pump can save you money and anguish. What are those signs? The 12 signs below are what you need to look out for to know when it is time to replace your sump pump.
12 signs it is time to replace your sump pump
- Strange noises from the sump pump
Sump pumps make a humming sound when they are working. But it is abnormal for a sump pump to hum loudly or make grinding and rattling noises. Mechanical issues cause those kinds of sounds.
- Excessive vibration when running
The sump pump will vibrate excessively if the impeller is damaged or out of balance. This can cause the pump to wobble, increasing the wear rate on its components and making it more susceptible to future problems.
- The sump pump runs continuously
The sump pump on/off mechanism depends on the smooth operation of the float arm and switch. Undetected float/switch issues can force a pump to run without stopping. This will weaken the sump pump, making it unable to handle the water load it is designed to.
- Irregular cycling
Irregular cycling is when the intervals between when the sump pump switches on and when it switches off are too short. This problem is often caused by an incorrectly adjusted float switch or internal wiring problems. Irregular cycling will overwork the pump and cause it to wear out fast.
- The sump pump runs too long
If a sump pump runs longer than it should, it is often because it is too small for the home or the distance it must pump the water is too far. If the right factors are not considered when buying/installing the pump, it could lead to sump pump failure.
- The sump pump is dormant
In the same way that overworking your sump pump can damage it, under-utilizing it can also affect its efficiency. Failing to use the sump pump regularly can halve its life. This can be avoided by keeping a calendar to remind you to test the sump pump regularly.
- The sump pump is getting stuck
If the motor always runs out during operation, it could be that the sump pump is sucking up debris. If the sump pump is not cleaned and a filter installed to keep out the dirt, the rubbish inside the sump pump will shorten its life.
- Dead sump pump motor
Various issues can lead to sump pump motor failure. Internal wiring problems may cause the motor to burn. Clogs inside the sump pump or a frozen discharge hose can also result in backflow. This will push the motor to run at a higher output, resulting in burnout.
- Frequent power outages
Power surges and frequent power outages can damage vulnerable components inside a sump pump. If your area suffers from this problem, perhaps, due to frequent thunderstorms, you may want to get a battery-powered auxiliary sump pump.
- The sump pump is rusted
Visible signs of rust mean it is time to replace your sump pump. If discoloration and rust are caused by bacteria feeding on the iron inside the water, this process can also create a gel-like substance that will clog the sump pump and plumbing.
- The sump pump is over seven years
Most sump pumps are ready for replacement after their seventh year. If your sump pump is approaching or past the end of the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan, replacing it is a good idea. An old sump pump may fail at the worst possible time.
- The builder installed the sump pump
Flooding can happen in a new construction home, even with a sump pump. This is because most building contractors are not basement waterproofing experts, and to save costs; they will often not install the right sump pump in the home.
If, after going through this list, you are still trying to figure out the status of your sump pump or you need help choosing the right sump pump, we can help you evaluate the condition of your current sump pump or guide you in installing a new one.