Sump Pump Repair Minneapolis

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Common reasons for sump pump failure include:

• Power Failure
• Your Sump Pump is the Wrong Size
• Improper Installation
• Switch Problems
• Lack of Maintenance
  

When you get a lot of rain, the last thing you need is your sump pump to fail on you. Over time, your sump pump can fail, leaving you with a flooded mess, typically in your basement.

If you have a basement in areas that are prone to a lot of rain, then you know all about sump pumps. There is no fool-proof method for preventing 100% of sump pump failures, but there are certainly some tips you can follow to better your chances of a properly working sump pump.

Sump pumps are a common fixture in homes, especially in lower-level areas of the country or in places where the rapid melting of heavy snow can cause flooded basements. In the past couple of decades, the popularity of sump pumps has grown exponentially, largely in part to a legal amendment to the US Federal Clean Water Act in 1987 that requires certain homes to have a sump pump, even if they are not necessarily high-risk for floods.

The facts are, studies have been done that showed more than 60% of American homes suffer from underground wetness or water damage, and a large percentage of homes will deal with a flooded basement at some point.

Even a small amount of water can create a large amount of issues. Moisture in the lower levels of your home can become dangerous, especially if you get a mold colony growing to cause a mold infestation. Even a small flood can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Mold and mildew can take over and create problems in no time, even with a tiny amount of standing water.

Proper sump pump maintenance is the key. There is no such thing as “lifetime” of a sump pump. Sump Pumps can last anywhere from 3-20 years, but even with good maintenance, the lifespan averages about 10-15 years.

How does a sump pump work?

In the lowest part of your basement or crawlspace, a hole is dug where the sump pump sits and filters out water. As the sump pit fills up, the pump turns on and moves the liquid out of the pit through pipes that run away from the foundation of your home into an area where it can drain, such as a municipal storm drain or a dry well. One-way valves, called check valves, will keep water from re-entering back into your home.

Sump pumps are generally powered by just plugging into your main household current. Since the pump is near water, or in water (in case of a failure), there should be some type of circuit interrupter to prevent electrocution.

Most residential sump pumps turn on automatically from a pressure sensor or float activator, and the pressure sensor activates as water builds up thus creating more pressure than air prompting the pump to turn on. Float activators have a ball that floats on top of the water, moving the arm as the water level rises – similar to the one in your toilet tank.

Once the motor is activated, the turns, causing a  centrifugal force, and the spinning impeller forces the water towards the sides of the pipe, creating a low-pressure center while the spinning action pushes it through the pipe.

All of these parts work together to keep your home/basement/crawlspace dry. In most cases, everything tends to go smoothly, but these parts need to work together and if one thing quits working, or some type of outside force comes in and causes disruption, things can get back quickly.

Causes of Sump Pump Failure

Power Failure

Most sump pump failures are due to electrical power outages. A battery backup or backup generator that can be manually activated will prevent this. If your primary pump mechanically fails, though, a generator cannot help in this situation. If power is knocked out due to a storm where the power is knocked out for any length of time, a backup generator can be a lifesaver.

Your Sump Pump is the Wrong Size

If your sump pump is incorrectly sized or not installed properly, you may have problems. Smaller sump pumps are often just as effective as big ones. If a sump pump is too big, the pump will be forced to work harder, resulting in a shorter pump lifespan. A sump pump that’s too small, may not be able to pump out enough water quickly enough – again resulting in a shorter lifespan.

Improper Installation

Proper installation of a sump pump is critical for proper water removal. It’s recommended to install a check valve on the discharge line to prevent back-flow of water that can cause the pump impeller to rotate backward and unscrew off the motor shaft. If this happens, you will still hear the pump motor running, but it would not be pumping any water.

Drilling a small air relief hole in the discharge line between the pump and the check valve is intended to prevent the pump from having to overcome the air pressure in the discharge pipe. Making sure the discharge pipe is of the required diameter.

Sump pump pits should not be set in dirt or gravel because it causes debris to enter your pump and can result in interference with the pump’s on/off switch or float arm.

Switch Problems

The major mechanical cause of sump pump failures are switch problems. This can occur when the sump pump shifts from its position inside the basin, making the float ineffective. The sump pump float is responsible for the smooth operation of the on/off switch. To operate effectively, your sump pump relies on both the switch and the float arm mechanisms.

Lack of Maintenance

Your sump pump should be run every 2-3 months and should be inspected on a yearly basis just before the rainy season hits.

Here are some manufacturer recommendations:

If you have a backup pump, unplug the primary pump and run the backup pump to make sure it’s running properly

• Go outside to make sure your sump pump is discharging water when testing it

• If your pump is running but not pumping any water, this means the impeller has disengaged from the pump shaft or the check valve is installed backward.

• Make sure your sump pump float is not restricted

• Check to make sure the air hole in the discharge line is clean

• Check for any unusual noises when the motor is running

• The battery on the backup sump pump should be replaced every 2 or 3 years

• Frozen or Clogged Discharge Lines

If sump pump water cannot exit your home through the discharge line, your system simply will not work. The discharge pipe should be protected from freezing and free of sticks, dirt, rocks, and other debris. The water’s exit point at the discharge pipe needs to be protected and will keep debris and animals out of the system, making it optimal for your sump pump.

A faulty sump pump can flood your basement or crawlspace in a very short period of time, especially when there are heavy rains. If you experience flooding due to sump pump failure, contact us now for water damage cleanup.