Tucked away, usually in darkness and out of sight, is a wonderful home device seldom thought of until, well, it’s too late. When you need it most, this ‘baby’ must spring to life to save your home from invading groundwater damage that is so inconvenient and always annoying. Especially as springtime rolls around, flooded basements plague many neighborhoods and cause damage so quickly that before you notice, stored holiday decorations and family keepsakes are floating or submerged in potentially contaminated water. Too often the household washer and dryer, extra fridge, or freezer, also located in the basement, have been invaded by groundwater that should have been pumped away safely if your sump pump was working properly. The financial loss can be great, even if your homeowners’ insurance claim is approved.
According to Russell Vent, Owner, Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Rochester, NY, “A properly working drain tile system, or a lower-level crawlspace sump pit with a functioning sump pump, is your best defense against flooding. But a sump pump only runs when water raises the float device and starts it pumping. So, there is little notice of malfunction before it’s too late.”
Vent explains, “A sticking point with many drain tile or basement waterproofing systems, is that over time the drain tile can collapse or become clogged. If the water is not making its way into the evacuation pump – you may experience interior flooding, in which your sump pump never even has a chance to pump out. Having this system camera scoped or inspected annually is an important measure. Your sump pump can only pump out water it is receiving!” Vent also suggests, “Checking your homeowner’s insurance policy to verify adequate coverage for a sump pump as these are typically an endorsement.”
Sump pumps cease working for a variety of reasons. The best time to check to be sure it will operate when needed, is before it’s needed. Vent advises that “Springtime is a great time to check proper operation before the spring thaw or heavy spring rain periods arrive. It’s an even better idea to check your sump pump after any extreme weather event.”
The float is a vital part of a sump pump and one of the most vulnerable parts. The float rises with water in the sump pit, which in turn triggers the pump to discharge water out of the pit. To check the float, slowly pour some water into the pit. If the float rises with the water and the pump activates and then shuts off when the water has been removed, it’s operating correctly. Avoid lifting the float with your hand due to a potential risk of shock.
Check the electrical power connection. Make sure the pump is plugged in properly. Check the circuit breaker. If your pump is plugged into a GFCI outlet, be sure the outlet has not tripped. Check the reset button.
If the water that is ejected returns into the pit after the pump stops. You may need to replace the check valve (or install one if none exists). Also check for leaks or cracks in the discharge pipe. Your check valve should be located on the discharge pipe – just above the floor. Also, check that the pipe terminates far from the foundation. If expelled water is draining right next to the foundation, it may naturally return to the sump pit again.
Check the sump pump cord to ensure it is not preventing proper pump operation. Floats that are connected with a cord (not all are) tend to be the most problematic because the cord becomes tangled. This can prevent the pump from turning on, or off. A pump that does not turn off will burn out.
Debris buildup in the sump pump pit. A buildup of mud, leaves or other debris in your sump pump will often cause sump pump failure. If your pump is not working, check your inlet suction screen to make sure that there is no blockage. You can drain water above grade, or below grade. If you go below grade, you should have a fitting (with air gap) installed so that water can escape if the pipe happens to clog with ice. Underground portions of pipe should also maintain a positive slope away from the home. This helps prevent ice buildup. Sometimes debris can work itself past the screen and jam the impeller. To see if this is your problem, first unplug the pump, then disconnect it from the piping and remove the pump from the pit. Disassemble the pump to access the screen and impeller. Remove any debris, reassemble and replace the pump in the pit.
Smart maintenance checkup. Periodically, apply an approved cleaning solution through the sump pump system to help eliminate any build-up in the system. If you see an oily film on the surface of the water, verify the condition of the oil seal. The appearance of oil probably indicates a faulty oil seal which may cause the motor to burn out.
Should you consider investing in a battery back-up system? “If your pump runs all the time, you should invest in a battery back-up pump,” advises Vent. “A battery backup will protect your home in a power outage. In the event of an emergency, when water rises above the level of the backup sensor, the backup system uses its DC power to turn itself on. Depending on the particular model of battery-powered backup system, there is generally enough power to keep your sump pump working for several hours.”
If your home suffers a power outage. This leaves you with no light, or heat, but it also means that you have a disabled sump pump. This can cause your drain tile to overflow, resulting in a flooded basement. Installing a battery operated, backup pump will prevent this problem from occurring. The backup power comes from a car battery — or even better, a deep cycle boat battery. When the power is on in the house, the battery system will automatically charge itself. The backup pump is activated by a sensor that is located slightly higher than the one for the main pump.
