Overflowing Sump Pump, What To Do?
When you have a sump pump in your basement, the idea is that it will keep your basement from flooding. However, if you go downstairs and notice your sump pump is overflowing, you’ll be wondering not only why is this happening, but also what you’ll need to do to solve the problem. Here at Boss Plumbing, we encounter this problem more often than most of our customers realize. If you’ve got an overflowing sump pump and are about to go into panic mode, here’s all the details you need to know.
Why is My Sump Pump Pushing Out So Much Water?
When you notice your sump pump is pushing out what seems like ton after ton of water, you’ll wonder what’s causing this to happen. In most cases we’ve encountered over the years here at Boss Plumbing, the answer is the perfect storm of having heavy rain and a power outage occurring at the same time.
As these two things come together, the drainage system continues to accumulate more and more water. This leads to the discharge pipe getting clogged with debris. As the clog worsens, the pipe sends water back to the pump over and over again, causing it to continuously repeat its pumping cycle.
What Happens if the Sump Pump Overflows?
If you have sump pump problems that result in it overflowing, you’ll have a few things to deal with right away. The most concerning will be the water damage occurring to your basement, since there can be a large accumulation of water in a very short period of time when the sump pump fails.
Along with the water damage, this can result in a severe case of mold forming in your basement. If this happens and is not remediated as soon as possible, it could cause structural damage as well as health problems for you, your family, and even pets.
Finally, since your sump pump does rely on electricity to operate, an overflowing sump pump also puts your home at increased risk of catching fire. Should you be unable to solve your sump pump problems on your own, call us right away here at Boss Plumbing so we can provide same-day service to get the problem fixed.
How Do I Stop My Sump Pump from Overflowing?
When your sump pump is overflowing, the good news for you as a homeowner is that there are steps you can take immediately to solve the problem and lessen any damage that may result.
Check for Power
First, always check to make sure your sump pump has power. Even if the rest of your home has power, the circuit breaker to your sump pump may have been tripped.
Unplug the Sump Pump
Next, unplug your sump pump for a few minutes and then plug it back in to restart. While doing this, also check to see if your basement drain is clogged and remove any debris you may find. If the clog is more than you can handle, call on us for our drain cleaning services here in Los Angeles.
Restart the Motor
Restarting the motor by pulling up on the float switch should be next on your list. If this doesn’t work, your sump pump may have a mechanical issue that may require the repair services of our highly-trained Boss Plumbing technicians.
Inspect the Overflow Valve
If this is not functioning properly or is blocked, it will let water that has been pumped out back into the sump pump. Debris can easily accumulate on this valve, so inspect it closely.
Check the Float Switch
If the sump pump’s float switch cannot move about as freely as it is intended to do so, it won’t be able to activate the sump pump. Like it is with the overflow valve, debris could be the cause.
Have a Clear Weeping Hole
One of the most important things you will need to do to keep your sump pump working properly is to ensure it has a clear weeping hole. If you don’t, this could result in a severe backflow problem in your basement and maybe even your bathroom. This hole, which is located on the discharge pipe, allows air to be removed so that the pump does not lock up. Should you wind up with a backflow problem that makes it to your bathroom, call on us for bathroom plumbing repair services you can always trust.
Check Basin and Impeller
Before checking these, always make sure the sump pump is unplugged. The impeller connects the pump with the discharge line. If it’s blocked and not cleared, sewer cleaning services may be necessary. If the situation is bad enough, you may need to get your sewer pipe repaired or replaced if it is old or has cracked due to becoming frozen or having large tree roots inside it or nearby.
Clean the Discharge Line
Finally, take out the sump basin and clean the discharge line by snaking it. If you’re meeting lots of resistance doing so, check the discharge line from outside your home. In many instances, it may be clogged from debris, leaves, or dead rodents.
Preventing Your Sump Pump From Overflowing
There are two things you can do to prevent a sump pump overflow. First, we recommend installing a sump pump overflow alarm. By doing so, you can always be alerted when the sump pit’s water level becomes too high. You may also want to have a backup sump pump that is battery-powered and can continue to operate even if the power goes out.
Call Us Today About Your Sump Pump
If you’ve got sump pump questions or problems, call us today here at Boss Plumbing to find out about the array of plumbing services we provide to our thousands of customers here in Los Angeles. As you speak to us, you’ll come to realize why we have been trusted by homeowners here in Los Angeles for well over three decades. With our core values of honesty, excellence, fairness, and providing quick service that focuses on quality, you will finally have professional plumbers you can count on anytime you have a plumbing problem.
