We get a lot of calls this time of year from homeowners because the sump pump has stopped working. There are six main reasons why sump pumps shut down.
- Electrical problem - you need to be sure that the pump is getting electricity. Check the fuse or circuit breaker to make sure it is not tripped. Plug something into the outlet to be sure it works. Your sump pump may have a "test" button as well.
- Check-valve problem - The check-valve stops water from flowing back into the basement from the pipe. If the water flows back into your basement after the sump pump has finished working, the water raises the float and turns the sump pump back on. This starts a continuous cycle which makes the sump pump wear out much quicker.
- Overworked sump pump - In most cases a 3-horse power pump will take care of your water problems. But in some case you may need an additional pump. You also need to look at sump pumps because they are not all equal. Check how much water it pumps per minute based on the height that you need to pump that water out. It may be overworked.
- Stuck switch or float - A float raises as the water level rises. If your float is on an arm, these often get stuck because they get stuck on the side of the basin or some other obstruction. The pump with a float on a rod are less likely to get stuck.
- Jammed impelor - The impelor spins the water up into the pump. This impelor can get jammed with debris. You can unscrew the screen at the bottom of the pump and see if that wheel spins. This can cause your sump pump to die or be ineffective.
- Age of the sump pump - A sump pump is mechanical. They can die somewhere between 7-15 years old. Around 8 years, you may want to consider putting in a new sump pump and keep the old one as an emergency spare.
For more information, contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.