No one walks around with their sump pump at the forefront of their mind. But if your sump pump fails, it will be the only thing on your mind!
Sump pump failures happen for multiple reasons. Are you prepared with a plan of action if something goes wrong with your pump? If not, you could find yourself ankle-deep in extensive and costly basement flooding.
Why do sump pumps fail?
The most common reason sump pumps fail is loss of power supply. If your electrical power is out, or if your pump is unplugged or the circuit is not working correctly, your unit will not work.
Another likely cause of pump failure is blockage (clogs). Your sump pump could have a pileup of debris in one or more of several locations, including the main pit, the switch, or the discharge line.
Sometimes a sump pump fails simply because it cannot keep up. If your pump is too small for your home or business, or if it was poorly installed, it may not be able to get the job done. Or if your area experiences a period of heavy rain or a lot of melting snow, there may simply be more water than your sump pump can handle.
Trouble shooting a sump pump failure:
The first thing to do if your sump pump fails is check your power supply:
Is there an electrical power outage in your area due to storms or issues with your provider?
Has the supply connection blown a fuse in your home or business?
Has your sump pump unit come unplugged?
Did you or someone else previously disconnect the power and forget to reconnect it?
If your power supply is intact, check for blockage issues in your unit.
Is there debris built up in your sump pit (especially if you don’t have a solid sump pit lid)?
Is buildup around your float switch causing it to be stuck in the off (or on) position?
Are your discharge lines blocked, keeping water from being able to drain?
Is something blocking your impeller from working?
After determining that power loss and clogging are not issues, check for mishaps that may have occurred during installation:
Is the drain tile (or gravel surround) around the basement perimeter adequate?
Is the surface on which the pump rests appropriate for the pump?
Was a check valve installed (or installed correctly)?
Was an air relief hole drilled?
If the answers to all of the questions above seem to be under control, you may have a mechanical failure. Or your pump may just not be big (or powerful) enough to do what is necessary for your home or business. Many of the trouble-shooting methods listed can be checked by you as the home or facility owner. But some will require knowledge, equipment or tools you do not have. Call Fite Plumbing at 317-271-5400 for a full inspection of your sump pump system and any backup systems as well. Our knowledgeable, highly qualified representatives will help you determine exactly why your sump pump isn’t working and what needs to be done to rectify the situation.
What to Do if Your Sump Pump Fails
