When floods, pipe leaks, and other water intrusions enter your home or business, sump pumps are often your last line of defense. Before hurricane season, you’ll want to ensure your sump pump is ready for anything. It’s best to anticipate and prepare for potential failures, rather than letting them surprise you. 

In the following blog, Northeast Power Dry’s water damage experts will detail how a sump pump works and how it might fail. Most sump pump failures are preventable and can be avoided with proper maintenance. 

What Is a Sump Pump?

Top 10 Causes of Sump Pump FailuresSump pumps are typically installed in basements and crawl spaces. They remove excess water from your home or business, coming in handy during rainstorms, floods, hurricanes, and pipe leaks. A sump pump will collect pooling water and then push it away from your foundation through a series of pipes. 

Sump pumps are commonly found throughout New Jersey, especially in areas with high flood risk. But these systems are useful everywhere, preventing indoor plumbing leaks from causing extensive water damage. When you face a water emergency, there are few better allies than a sump pump. This is why it’s important to take care of your system and prevent sump pump failures. 

Top 10 Causes of Sump Pump Failures

Nearly all basements will suffer from flooding or water damage of some sort. Some instances are mild, but others can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Drying and sewage removal services can help you during these sorts of emergencies, but to avoid widespread flooding, you’ll need a working sump pump. Below, we’ll cover some of the most common sump pump failures.

1. Clogging

When sump pumps are blocked by debris like leaves or rocks, they struggle to move water out of your home or business. When a sump pump cannot push water out, it fails and allows flooding to accumulate indoors. Most water damage experts call this a debris clog. There are several other types of clogs, including:

  • Drain and Pipe Clogs: If a drain or discharge pipe is blocked, then water will fail to flow outdoors. Extended backups may cause sump pump failures. 
  • Frozen Pipe Clogs: If your discharge pipe freezes over or if hard snow blocks the exit, a clog is the likely result. 
  • Intake Screen Clog: Intake screens are designed to prevent your sump pump from clogging, but if they are overloaded, your sump pump may overheat and shut down.

If there is no excess water in your basement but your sump pump is still running, something may be blocking the sump pump’s discharge pipe. If it continues to run, it will eventually shut down. 

2. Too Much Rainfall or Flooding

Sump pump failures can occur if the water level in your basement or crawl space is too high for the system to handle. This highlights the importance of matching your sump pump’s size with the expected annual rainfall in your area. 

3. Motor Burnout

Low-quality, old, and small sump pumps are more likely to suffer motor burnouts. A motor burnout typically occurs when a sump pump is overworked and the electricity supply is maxed out. You can test your sump pump’s motor by purposely pouring water near it. 

4. Power Failures

Power outages can block sump pumps from activating, especially during harsh storms. There are a few ways around this. Some sump pumps are equipped with a backup battery a generator can power systems without this battery. Having a backup plan for power outages is critical, as this is one of the most common causes of sump pump failures.

5. Stuck Switch

Sump pumps are equipped with an on/off switch. When the switch is stuck in one position, the sump pump may run all the time or not at all. Stuck switches are a typical culprit behind sump pump failures and are relatively easy to address. It is recommended that you replace the switch every two or three years.

Top 10 Causes of Sump Pump Failures

6. Damaged Impeller

Impellers are the part of the sump pump that actually “pumps.” When this device breaks, your sump pump will fail to move water out of your home or business.  

7. Lack of Maintenance

As with any device or machine, poor maintenance habits can bring about a sump pump’s early end. Yearly maintenance is recommended to keep your sump pump in good health.  

8. Old Age

Just like cars, furnaces, and AC units, sump pumps won’t live forever. Most sump pumps have a maximum lifespan of 10 years. Frequently used systems typically max out at 7 years. 

9. Improper Installation

You will only reap a sump pump’s benefits if it is properly installed. A professional plumber can install the system, but a professional water damage restoration company can tell you if it was poorly installed. Keep in mind that you should avoid placing a sump pump’s pit in gravel or dirt. These materials will allow debris to build up inside the pump. 

10. Wrong Size Pump

One might think that if a pump is bigger, it’s better. As it turns out, this isn’t the case. A sump pump must be properly sized if it isn’t, the system will be overloaded or repeatedly cycle. Small pumps are prone to overloading, while larger pumps will cycle and burn out. A professional plumber will help you determine the right size for your home or business. 

Top 10 Causes of Sump Pump Failures

When to Call a Professional

Trying to fix sump pump failures on your own may seem cost-effective, but sump pumps typically don’t lend themselves to DIY repairs. If you are unsure of the root issue, you’ll want to contact a professional water damage service like Northeast Power Dry. Attempting DIY repairs can be dangerous and costly, as some sump pump failures stem from electrical issues or burst pipes. We recommend taking the safe route, it will likely save you money and prevent possible injury. 

If your sump pump is failing and water damage is piling up, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Northeast Power Dry. We service all water damage emergencies, including sewage disasters and mold outbreaks. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so we’re available when you need us most, arriving within 60 to 90 minutes to thoroughly clean and dry your property.

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