When your basement experiences flooding, it can wreak havoc on the structure of your home and its belongings. Having a sump pump can help provide an added layer of protection against water accumulation in your home. Unfortunately, like any other household appliance, your sump pump may experience an issue from time to time that prevents it from properly doing its job.
Power Issue
Probably one of the most overlooked reasons your sump pump may not work is that it does not have power. It isn’t uncommon for the power to go out during bad thunderstorms. When your power flickers, it can send a power surge through your line that causes the circuit breaker for your sump pump trip. Simply resetting the circuit breaker can remedy this problem and get your pump back up and running quickly.
Faulty Float Switch
An imperative component of your sump pump is its float switch. This is located on the side of the pump housing and will naturally rise when the water level in the sump pump’s basin gets too high. When the float rises, your pump should kick on to remove excess water. However, if the float gets jammed, it won’t be able to rise and your pump naturally won’t turn on. Removing whatever is jamming the float is a necessity to remedy this issue.
Blown-Up Motor
For your sump pump’s motor to work effectively, there needs to be an adequate level of water in the basin. When the water dries up and your motor is stuck running, it can cause the motor to overheat. Eventually, this can lead to a blown-up motor. Additionally, the average sump pump will last for about 10 years. If your sump pump is approaching or over 10 years old, its motor will eventually go.
Clogged Line
A particularly frustrating issue that can hinder the ability of your sump pump to adequately do its job is a clog. Clogs can develop in the pump’s intake or discharge lines as the pump moves water that has loose debris in it. When water can’t move past the clog, your pump will be unable to move water. If your pump is left running too long on a wet motor due to a clog in its water intake line, it can cause the sump pump’s motor to fail.
Malfunctioning Check Valve
Since your sump pump is naturally positioned below ground level, it needs a little help to combat the natural effects of gravity on water. This help is referred to as a check valve, which is installed between the actual pump and its discharge line. The check valve is a one-way valve that only allows water to be forced into the discharge pipe to flow to the outdoors. It prevents any water from naturally flowing downward and back into the pump. If your check valve is malfunctioning, your pump may be running but not able to remove any water out of its discharge line.
Inappropriately Sized Pump
If you just had a sump pump installed and it isn’t working correctly, it can be quite frustrating, to say the least. If your pump seems to be running fine, but the water level in your basement is still rising, it’s an indication that your sump pump may be undersized for your needs. You must consult a licensed electrician to determine the best-sized sump pump to meet the demands of your home.
Jammed Impeller
Inside your sump pump is an impeller that’s responsible for forcing water out of your pump and into your discharge line. When the path of the impeller gets clogged full of debris, it can restrict its ability to adequately spin to do its job. When your impeller gets jammed, your entire pump won’t function.
Calling a Licensed Plumber
It can be worrying when you first experience a problem with your sump pump. While you can fix a simple issue like a tripped circuit breaker, more involved issues should be addressed by a licensed plumber. They have extensive knowledge of how sump pumps work and will be able to accurately diagnose and fix the issue quickly.
Reliable Plumbing Service
Raymark Plumbing & Sewer offers reliable sump pump service for the entire Seattle, WA community. Our expert plumbers are here to assist with all of your drain, sewer, water heater, faucet, garbage disposal, gas lines, toilet, and piping needs. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.
