A sump pump failure can be a big disaster, especially right before a storm. So why do they fail, and how can you prevent it?
What Are the Top 5 Reasons Sump Pumps Fail?
Here are the top five reasons sump pumps fail.
- Burned out pump motor. If your pump is overworked, the motor can burn out. Usually, this happens because water is entering the basin or pit faster than your pump can pump it out. To fix this issue, you might need a larger motor.
- Clogs. Debris, mud, or waste water can clog your pump and stop it from pulling in or pumping out water. You can easily remove clogs by inspecting the intake screen, discharge pipe, and pump, and clearing out debris. It should be part of your periodic pump maintenance.
- Faulty switch. Sometimes the on and off switches on your sump pump will fail, causing it to stay on or off all the time, and not respond to the water level. In this case, you’ll need to replace the switch.
- Stuck float. The float is how the sump pump knows to turn on and off. If the float rises to a certain level in the sump basin, the sump pump turns on and begins pumping water. If the float is stuck, your sump pump might not know when to turn on. You can also easily check to see if your float is stuck by looking in the sump basin. If it’s tangled in something, turn off the sump pump and free the float.
- Power outage. If the pump loses power, even if it’s in perfect working order, it can’t pump. Luckily, this is an easy fix. You can install a generator to power your sump pump if your basement regularly loses power and floods.
When Should I Call a Professional?
Once your sump pump fails and you have a basement flood, you should call a professional to repair the pump and deal with the water and moisture. Water damage and mold can both be devastating to your home and your family’s health. Flood water that stands for more than two days can lead to mold. Mold can cause allergic reactions and irritate your eyes, nose and throat.
Flood water can also be filled with other chemicals and bacteria that you shouldn’t touch. Calling a professional ensures someone will safely clean up the water and completely dry your basement so no mold growth will occur in the future.
Get Dry With Green Restoration
At Green Restoration, we can help you with emergency water removal if your sump pump fails. We not only remove the water but disinfect the entire area to prevent mold growth. We offer direct insurance billing and are happy to work with your homeowner’s insurance, which might cover some of the cost. Contact us today.