A sump pump can be useful during any season, but spring is when snowmelt and increased rainfall raise the danger of water flooding into the basement or crawl space. A sump pump automatically takes care of the job of “bailing out” the house, pumping the excess water out of the lower areas and into the wastewater or storm drainage system.
Sump pumps do need some help to do their jobs which is why we recommend you do a check on your sump pump for proper operation. First, clean out the sump (the water collection pit) and then slowly pour water into it to see if the pump activates and removes all the water. You may find out your sump pump needs repairs and you’ll be thankful you caught them early.
What kind of repair might your sump pump need? We’ll look at the most common.
Clogged Sump
This is the reason you should clean out the sump at least once a year, preferably before the spring weather arrives. If the sump has debris in it, it can easily draw the debris into its intakes or up its pipe which can block the pump or cause damage to it.
Malfunctioning Float Switch
If you have a pedestal sump pump (one where the pump sits above the sump rather than down in it), it relies on a float switch to activate the pump when the water rises. If you pour water into the sump and the pump doesn’t activate, it may be due to a malfunctioning float switch that won’t turn the pump on. On the other hand, the float switch can malfunction so that the pump never shuts off.
Clogged or Blocked Discharge Pipe
The discharge pipe is the pipe that transports the water the pump has drawn from the sump out of the house. This line can become clogged or blocked in which case the sump pump will automatically shut off.
Broken Motor
Sump pumps run off a motor that moves water from the sump and into the discharge pipe. This motor can burn out and fail. Although the motor can be replaced if it burns out, it’s usually more cost-effective to have the entire pump replaced.
Lack of Power
Sump pumps are electrically powered devices, specially sealed to protect them from water. The sealing doesn’t always work, however, and this can lead to the sump losing power and being unable to operate. If your sump pump won’t turn on, it always pays to check on the circuit breaker to the basement, as this may be the reason the device isn’t receiving electricity.
Broken Impeller
The impeller is a fan-like component of the sump pump that helps to move water out of the sump. The impeller can break, although it’s less expensive to repair or replace than the motor.
If you think you need sump pump repair in Toledo, OH, you only need to get in touch with us. We’re family owned and operated and we offer 24-hour service so you never need to worry about getting an important repair done.
Rely on AW Heating & Cooling for your sump pump needs. Your Comfort Specialists.