Did you know that 42 percent of homes in the United States of America have basements? Homes with basements and crawlspaces are the ideal candidates for a new sump pump since those areas are likely to experience flooding.
This is especially true if your home has a history of plumbing problems that could cause an excess amount of water to build up in your home. Nothing is worse than when you need to use your sump pump but it doesn’t work because it requires sump pump repair.
The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect place to learn more about sump pump issues and the signs that you’re in need of sump pump repair service today. Continue reading to learn more about sump pump issues that you need to look out for.
1. The Motor Doesn’t Work Right
The big concern when it comes to sump pumps is that if one thing malfunctions on it you’re facing a much greater risk of experiencing a flood in your home. The most important thing to monitor and ensure that it is working the right way is the motor on the sump pump.
If your sump pump motor isn’t functioning at peak performance then it will have a difficult time getting rid of any water that makes it into your basement. Even worse, if the motor fails entirely then you’ll need a sump pump repair service or a new sump pump motor altogether.
The best approach to take comes down to how severe the damage is to your sump pump’s motor.
2. Your Sump Pump Constantly Runs
Another clear sign that you might be in need of a new sump pump is if your sump pump is running 24/7. The most obvious sign of this is when your sump pump continues running even when it is sunny outside and hasn’t rained in a while. If this is happening with your sump pump then you should consider contacting the pros at Plumbing Pros DMV for help.
If your sump pump is always running then it is a sign of an issue with the pump’s ability to handle the water that is running through it. It could be the result of an issue with a switch or it could have a broken valve that needs to get replaced.
Other causes could be that you purchased the wrong size of pump for your sump pump needs or that a high level of rainfall over the past few days has set your sump pump into a state of overdrive that it is stuck in.
3. Your Sump Pump Is Old
A good rule of thumb to live by when it comes to sump pumps is to know that they tend to work at peak performance for somewhere between five and seven years. Be sure to remember when you purchased and installed your most recent pump sump. As the five-year mark approaches you’ll need to be on the lookout for signs that your pump is starting to drop off when it comes to performance.
While it is possible that your sump pump will need to get replaced after that five to seven-year time period, some sump pumps will last decades without any issues. It is important to monitor the performance of your sump pump to make sure that everything is going smoothly with it.
4. Odd Vibrations
One sign that you need a new sump pump is when your pump starts producing odd vibrations. A common cause for these vibrations is when your sump pump accidentally sucks up some debris that gets caught inside of the pump. This leads to excessive amounts of vibration and will lead to significant damage over time.
The debris will cause the impellers to bend within the pump. You can fix this by hand by re-bending them, but this could lead to the issue becoming even worse. If you experience odd vibrations with your sump pump then it is a sign that you need a new sump pump for your home.
5. Issues Turning It Off and On
Another sign that your sump pump has issues that require a replacement is when you notice issues with turning it off or on. A broken sump pump will have issues where it continues to cycle between being on and being off. This is a clear sign that something is wrong with the power of your pump or a switch with your pump.
Don’t try to fix this on your own. The best approach to take is to contact a professional sump pump repair company for help.
6. Sump Pump Makes Weird Noises
Does your sump pump make weird noises on a consistent basis? This is a sign that something is wrong with your sump pump that requires sump pump repair or replacement. The normal noise that a sump pump makes is a low humming noise. If you hear grinding or squealing from your sump pump then it is a sign that you’ve got a problem.
7. Visible Rust or Damage
Another thing that you need to keep an eye out for when it comes to your sump pump is any visible damage or rust buildup on your pump. With what sump pumps do, it is no surprise that they’d get rusty over a long period of time. The bad news is that the rust could cause corrosion on the battery terminals.
You don’t need to worry about health threats if you discover rust buildup on your home’s sump pump, but you might want to consider purchasing a new sump pump sooner than later. The rust could cause the water flow of your sump pump to get worse which increases the possibility of flooding.
Get Sump Pump Repair or Replacement Today
Sump pumps play a vital role in homes that have a basement or crawl space. They go a long way towards preventing flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. It is important that you get a sump pump repair or a new sump pump when you see signs that your current pump is going bad. Look out for visible damage or rust, and keep an ear open for strange noises coming from your pump.
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