A sump pump is a device that most homeowners never think about, yet it’s one of the most important appliances in the home. By pumping water out of the lower level of your home it can prevent major damage to your property. Therefore it’s critical that the sump pump be in good working order and ready to handle a sudden influx of water, whether from a flash flood, downpour, or burst pipe.
Here are some common reasons sump pumps fail to work as expected.
1. The Sump Pump Cannot Keep Up
If too much water fills the sump pump pit at once it can become overwhelmed. You can reduce this risk by ensuring that your sump pump is of high quality and powerful enough to handle a significant volume of water. In some cases a single sump pump just isn’t enough to handle a basement flooding event.
2. The Sump Pump Is Not Installed In the Right Location
The basement drainage must channel the water into the sump pump pit. If the pitch of the floor isn’t diverting the water correctly, the pump will not simply not be able to remove the water. Have the drainage system inspected and fixed if needed. If there is no drainage system, have one installed.
3. The Pump Has Become Dirty
A dirty sump pump is more likely to malfunction. Dirt can prevent the float switch from working or clog the discharge line. Keep the sump pump clean by installing a tight lid over the pit and testing it regularly to ensure the float switch in good working order. The pump should be mounted on a pedestal to keep it from resting on the bottom of the pit.
4. The Discharge Line Is Clogged or Frozen
Sump pumps have a discharge line that removes water from your basement. Ensure that the line is not obstructed or in a location that could cause it to freeze.
5. The Power Fails
It’s an unfortunate coincidence that many strong storms lead to power outages. Unless your home has a backup generator your sump pump is not going to work when the power goes out during flooding rainstorm. A safe option is to install a battery backup sump pump that can keep running if the power to the home is lost. A battery backup unit can also be installed next to a conventional sump pump for greater reliability.
