Do Sump Pumps Require Maintenance?

Yes, it is highly recommended that sump pumps receive regular maintenance. Although sump pumps are not quite sturdy pieces of equipment, it is in your best interest to check up on the pump at least every couple of months to ensure that the system is working properly. If the pump does fail without notice it could end in a catastrophe if a storm hit with you unprepared. Thankfully, maintenance on a sump pump is a relatively easy task to undergo. 

Before you begin, it’s important to check that your sump pump will be able to work properly for the test. Check that the sump pump has a reliable source of power and is sitting upright. If it has been tilted at all during operations it is possible the float arm can jam, preventing the pump from activating as it should. Purchasing a generator should a power outage occur your sump pump will be out of trouble.

Here are a few tests you can do to check if the sump pump is running as intended: 

• Clean the grate at the bottom of the pit as well as the vent hole found in the discharge pipe. Buildup can hinder water from draining in a timely manner. 

• Routinely pour water into the pit to make certain it is draining well. Water should drain quickly, if there is a delay, it’s suggested you check for debris as instructed above. If the pump is not reacting at all, it’s a good idea to call in a professional for help. 

How often should you replace a sump pump?

Sump pumps on average last around ten years. That is of course the optimal amount of use one can hope to get out of their pump, but if it shows any signs of problems with the equipment it may be in your best interest to replace it. This is one of the reasons why proper maintenance is important to keep up with, it can extend the life of your sump pump so that you don’t have to continuously replace the device before it is absolutely necessary. 

How do you know if your sump pump is going bad?

There are a few signs that may indicate that your sump pump is reaching the end of its lifespan. We will go over a couple of the warnings to look out for that may mean a sump pump is going bad and in need of replacement. Remember, although the average lifespan of a sump pump is 10 years, inadequate upkeep and improper installation can cause the device to break down much sooner. 

• Excessive noise: In the event that your sump pump begins exuding excessive noise, (e.g grinding, rattling) it is possible the machine is in bad shape. In this event it is important to unplug and shut off the sump pump as quickly as possible before doing further inspection. 

• Absence of water in the pit: If the sump pump is operating but the sump pit has no water in it, it’s often a sign that the drainage system would be clogged. As with the previous sign, it’s important you disconnect the sump pump from electricity immediately upon noticing the problem. 

• Your Sump pump is continuously running without a reason: If your sump pump is going off even when you know it shouldn’t be, it’s imperative that you address the problem as quickly as possible. As with any machinery, the more the pump runs the faster it will run out of steam and eventually be unusable. Allowing this issue to go unchecked will result in you needing to replace the system before its reached 10 years. 

Is it normal for a sump pump to run every 3 minutes?

No, it is not normal for the sump pump to continuously run for no reason. If your pump is draining left and right with no prompting, shut down the machinery and contact a professional for help. Leaving the pump unattended in this state will result in the sump pump to break down from overuse. 

It’s always important that if your sump pump begins to display any out of the ordinary behavior that you shut it off until you are able to localize and access the problem. This will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

Can Sump Pumps be Repaired?

What Is the Most Common Reason For Sump Pump Failure?