What is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is often used to help protect basements from flooding. The pump is installed in a sump pit, which collects water that seeps into your basement.
When heavy rainfall occurs, the sump pit fills with water then the pump kicks on and removes the water from your home.
A sump pump runs on your home’s electrical system, but can also be run on a generator in case of a power outage.
There are two main types of sump pumps:
Submersible Sump Pump
A submersible pump is submerged in a pit and plugged into the wall with a pipe to remove water from inside.
Pedestal Sump
A pedestal pump is installed on top of the sump pit. It usually has an opening that allows water to enter and uses electricity.
It is also possible to get a battery-powered sump pump that acts like a second pump ensuring it will continue to run without power in the home.
Sump Pump Failure
If your sump pump fails, you might be stuck with a flooded basement. It’s important to perform regular maintenance on your pump and know about common sump pump problems.
Keeping your pump in working order can save you the sump pump repair cost!
The Maintenance of Sump Pumps
Rescue Plumbing is happy to offer professional maintenance of your pump system. The routine removal of collected debris and minor repairs help keep your system in working order.
It’s important to maintain your sump, even during a dry spell when the pump is not needed. Generally, the average price to fix a system is much more than routine maintenance.
Ultimately, the best way to maintain your sump pump is to clean it on a regular basis.
Signs of a Problem
While keeping your sump pump in good working order helps keep problems at bay, knowing some signs of trouble will help prevent water damage or basement flooding.
Some signs to determine if your unit is broken:
- Strange sounds from the unit
- Continuous running of the motor
- Check valve isn’t opening
- Its impeller doesn’t expel water
- Float switch doesn’t turn on when the pit begins to fill with water
These signs indicate that your unit has damage and won’t properly dispel water through the pipes. Our plumbers recommend pump repair and more often to install a new unit.
Tips to Troubleshoot a Problem
Before calling a plumber, here are some tips to troubleshoot the issue with your unit. First, check the plug your pump uses. Try to unplug and plug it back in, it could be a problem with the outlet which would save you unnecessary costs.
Sump Pump Repair
Unfortunately, the only repairable component of a pump system is the float switch. The float switch triggers the motor to turn on.
Sometimes, the only possible repair is to remove the old one and install a new float switch. Then test to see if that fixed the unit.
Sump Pump Replacement
While sump pump repairs are less common, our plumber can easily replace a sump pump. Our Plumbing vans come stocked with the necessary components to install a new model in your home.
Sump Pump Warranty
Sump Pumps at the average cost usually come with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
Our plumbing vans are stocked with a Zoeller sump pump with a 5-year manufacturer warranty, this model has a visible green indicator light that will let you know if the outlet has power.
We want to provide the best service to our clients! When Rescue Plumbing installs a sump pump we provide you with a full one-year parts and labor warranty. Contact us today to look into your options! (773)799-8848
