Reasons Your Sump Pump May Fail

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we receive a lot of calls regarding flooded basements. A major cause of flooded basements is sump pump failure, especially during flooding or heavy rains. A number of things can go wrong with your sump pump, and it is important to act fast to fix it to avoid water damage. Below is a list of common reasons for sump pump failure:

Power failure

The most common and unavoidable case of failure is power outages. This can be disastrous if it happens during a flood or heavy rains, especially if you have a basement prone to seepage. The best way to solve this issue is to have a backup generator that you can activate in case of power outages. However, never run a generator inside your home.

Sump pumps can also be damaged during a power surge. For this reason, make sure to check your pump regularly. You can also install a power surge protection device.

Incorrect Size

If your sump pump is too small, it may have trouble keeping up with the relative amount of water. Pump size can be determined depending on the size of your basement. If you are unsure, contact a plumber to estimate the adequate pump size based on your basement square footage.

Inadequate Maintenance

Some manufacturers recommend that you run your sump pump every 2-3 months to ensure it I working properly. This can help you determine any possible issues and address them before the pump stops working when you need it most. Make sure to check for clogs in your pipe, check for proper operation of the float, test your back up pump, and make sure the air hole on the discharge line is not plugged.

If you have have water damage in your basement, call SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island at 309-797-1199 to make it "Like it never even happened."