A sump is a pit where liquid collects. A sump pump is a submersible device installed in the lowest point of your home—usually the basement—to prevent flooding. To find your sump pump not working when you need it the most can be a huge headache. If you need help from a professional plumbing expert, reach out to SBPHA/C today! Read on for sump pump troubleshooting tips from our experts.
How a Sump Pump Works
When heavy rain or flooding saturates the soil around your home, your basement is at risk of flooding. With a sump pump installed, water funnels into the sump pit instead of your home. When the water reaches a certain level, it activates a float switch and drains into a nearby storm drain, dry well or detention pond. A sump pump only kicks into action when needed.
What to Do When Your Sump Pump Won’t Work
- Check the Power Source—make sure your pump is connected to an outlet and the power is working. Since power failures go hand-in-hand with storms and floods, a backup battery or water driven sump pump system is highly recommended.
- Replace Batteries—if you do have a backup battery system and it’s not working, check its water levels to see if it should have kicked on. You can add distilled water to speed up the process. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the battery/batteries. Batteries have a 3–5-year lifespan.
- Check for Debris—clogs in the sump pit can lead to pump failure. Open the lid and remove as much debris as you can.
- Check for a Float Malfunction—a float switch kicks your system on. A worn or faulty float can prevent your system from turning on when it should.
- Check the Discharge Pipe—check for leaks in your system’s discharge pipe. Water pooling where the pipe exits your home could indicate a leak. This might cause water to back up into your basement.
Call a Professional Plumber
Don’t let a sump pump not working ruin your home! Solution Based Plumbing, Heating, and A/C prides itself on top quality workmanship. If you live in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware or Chester County, contact us online or call (215) 584-2098 for all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs.