The Most Common Sump Pump Repair Issues
Having a properly functioning sump pump is essential for every home’s basement or crawl space, as it diverts water away from the house’s foundation. However, an improperly functioning sump pump that can’t redirect that water can lead to flooding, water damage, and excessive moisture.
If your sump pump is having issues, it’s important to get it repaired as soon as possible, so it can go back to protecting your home from retaining too much water that can damage your foundation.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common sump pump repair issues and how to solve them.
Clogged Discharge Line
Perhaps the most common repair issue for pumps is a clogged discharge line. This is the pipe or tubing, usually at least 20 feet in length, that takes water out of your basement or crawl space and moves it away from your home into a drainage ditch or other area.
If dirt, garbage, or anything else that isn’t water gets into the discharge line, it can get clogged up or, at the very least, reduce the flow of water to such an extent that it can lead to flooding in your home’s foundation. This could also be caused by a frozen line during the winter.
Troubleshooting Guide
- Unplug the machine from power and inspect the line for signs of clogging
- Use a wet/dry vacuum, hot water, or a drain snake to clear the obstruction
- Remember to check the line regularly and perform routine maintenance to prevent future clogs
Power Loss or Other Electrical Issues
Like most mechanical devices, your sump pump relies on electricity to work. If there’s an issue with your breaker, a fuse, the unit itself, or your home’s wiring will prevent the pump from being able to turn on and do its job. It could also be another electrical problem, like faulty wiring in your home or a defective device. Perhaps your home is in an area that suffers from frequent power outages.
Troubleshooting Guide
If you suspect a power loss is the reason for your problems, check the following:
- Make sure the physical switch on the unit is in the “on” position
- Check the breaker for a tripped or blown fuse
- Plug a different device into the outlet used for the pump to see if it works. If it does, the issue is with the pump unit. If it doesn’t, the issue could be with the outlet or your home’s wiring
- Consider a battery backup if your area is subject to frequent power outages
The Pump is Overloaded
Another potential issue is an overloaded pump. If there’s too much water that needs to be cleared regularly from under your home, it’ll stress the unit and lead to issues. Their capacities are measured in horsepower, so you’ll need to know how many horsepower your home needs. This is determined by the size of your home’s foundation, its flood risk, the temperature, the size of your pump pit, and other factors.
Troubleshooting Guide
If your pump appears to be overloaded and is making odd noises or isn’t working as well as it should, consider:
- Upgrading your pump to a model with a higher horsepower
- Purchase a secondary pump that can share the load and reduce strain on your primary
The Unit Was Installed Poorly
You may have purchased a pump of the correct size and horsepower for your home and have a perfect electrical setup in your basement or crawl space, but if the unit was installed incorrectly, it won’t work properly. Maybe the unit is turned on and making noise, but no water is being moved. It’s also possible that you received a faulty unit or that one of its internal components broke off.
If you’ve run through the troubleshooting options on the previous lists and it still isn’t working, a bad installation or faulty unit is the most likely answer.
Troubleshooting Guide
- Contact a licensed plumbing and heating company to examine the unit, diagnose the problem, and reinstall or repair as necessary
When to Call the Professionals
If the above tips don’t solve the problem, it’s a good idea to call a professional plumbing company. You might also want to call them if you’re not comfortable performing the checks yourself, you don’t want to/can’t enter the crawlspace yourself, or if you’d rather leave the headaches and frustration of DIY repairs behind.
Sump Pump Repairs with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Heating in Daytona
Although these are not the only problems your pump might have, the most common repair issues are a clogged line, an improper installation, a lack of power, and an overloaded pump.
By checking the line for clogs, ensuring the unit is receiving power as it should, confirming that you’re using the right size and number of pumps, and double-checking for a proper installation, you can solve almost any issue with your pump.
If you’re in Daytona, Florida, or the surrounding areas and you’re having issues with your sump pump, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Heating! With their years of experience, our experts can diagnose and repair any issue that prevents your pump from doing its job.
Don’t wait around for the other guys to “get to you when they get to you”. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Heating, we call ourselves the Punctual Plumbers, and that’s a guarantee. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay!
