An operational sump pump is normally located in some area of the basement of a home and is easy to forget when working properly. Serious problems and sump pump failure might require a plumber to fix to avoid having your basement flooded. Below are five signs your sump pump has failed.
1. Flooded Basement and Inoperational Sump Pump
One of the biggest signs that your sump pump failed is your basement being totally flooded and hearing a silence where the pump should be located. It might be due to the water intrusion being swift and overtaking the sump pump. You’ll need to have the water pumped out of the basement and the sump pump replaced. Make sure you have a plumber check to make sure there are no clogs in the drain allowing water to be forced out by the newly installed sump pump.
2. Full Basin and Running Sump Pump
When the basin designed to collect water is full, remains full and the sump pump is working, you might have a debris clog in the filter or drain line. The pump will need to be turned off and any drains cleared and filters cleaned to see if the situation improves. If it still will not remove the water, the sump pump has a defect and needs to be replaced. Repair is possible on some types of pumps, but it’s usually more cost-conservative to purchase and install a new one.
3. Empty Basin and Running Sump Pump
If your sump pump is running and the basin is empty of water, it might be stuck in the “on” position. Turn the sump pump off and check for debris that can cause it to lock on. Leaving it to run will make the small electric motor burn out quickly and become non-working. More information can be found at Drain Rescue.
4. Continual Recycling of Water in Basin
Most sump pump basins are designed to hold roughly 5-gallons of water before it activates and begins to empty the water out through the available drain line. If the water is drained and the basin quickly refills, the check valve is most likely defective. The water will continue to recycle in and out of the basin since the valve is unable to stop the backflow.
5. Basin Fills with Water and Pump Refuses to Operate
When the water basin visibly fills with water and the pump refuses to activate, you either have a blown pump motor or it’s in some other way defective. You’ll need to have the sump pump serviced or replaced.
A non-working sump pump can spell disaster when water decides it’s going to make its way into the basement level of your home. Call a qualified plumber to remedy the situation immediately.
