Signs Your Sump Pump Is Going Bad
One of the most important parts of your home’s plumbing system, your sump pump gives you peace of mind by helping to ensure your basement does not flood. However, even though sump pumps are known for their reliability and longevity, the time may come when you begin to notice yours is not working as well as in years past. Rather than wait, it’s good to recognize the signs your sump pump is going bad. To help make this easier, our experienced professionals here at Boss Plumbing have compiled all you need to know.
Is a Bad Sump Pump a Plumbing Emergency?
The good news is that once you notice sump pump issues that may indicate it is going bad, it may not necessarily be a plumbing emergency. However, keep in mind that once your sump pump does stop working or begins to not work as efficiently as before, it may not take long for your basement to start taking on more water than you desire.
Because of this, we usually recommend to our Los Angeles customers that as soon as they begin to notice problems with their sump pump, they contact us for plumbing repairs as soon as possible. Like most other plumbing problems, the longer you wait to make repairs, the more complex and expensive the job might become.
What is a Sump Pump Life Expectancy?
Even though you may think your sump pump will last forever, we here at Boss Plumbing know that will not be the case. In fact, even if you have the very best sump pump installed in your basement, chances are it will have a life expectancy of about 10-12 years before it will need to be replaced. By keeping track of when your sump pump was first installed, it will be much easier for you to avoid problems such as an overflowing sump pump or having a clogged basement drain that may ultimately lead to other major plumbing problems such as sewer backups that can be messy as well as expensive to fix.
Common Reasons Sump Pumps Go Bad
1. Switch Gets Stuck
The most common reason is usually when the sump pump’s switch gets stuck in either the On or Off position, which will result in having it either run nonstop or not at all. When it gets stuck in the On position, this can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on the pump’s motor, shortening its lifespan.
2. Power Outage
Power outages can also make your sump pump go bad sooner than expected. When these outages take place, there is always an electrical surge in the pump’s motor that can cause problems that will go unnoticed by you until the day comes when your sump pump suddenly stops working.
3. Improper installation or Lack of Maintenance
Improper installation and lack of maintenance are also two common reasons for sump pump failure. Though sump pumps are generally somewhat easy to install, it is vital that the person doing the installation understand the process and how to make a sump pump work as efficiently as possible. Since we have decades of experience installing sump pumps in homes across Los Angeles, rely on us for expert installation and maintenance for your sump pump.
4. Old Age
Finally, old age can also result in a sump pump going bad. If yours is past 10 years old and has had little if any maintenance performed on it over the years, you can bet it won’t be long until it will stop working and leave you with a very wet and messy basement.
Signs Your Sump Pump is Going Bad
There are many signs that will indicate your sump pump is going bad.
Weird Noises
Rattling or grinding noises mean your sump pump’s motor or fan is experiencing problems.
Won’t Turn On
If your sump pump won’t turn on, this could mean the float switch is stuck or broken.
Visible Rust
Once you can clearly see rust on your sump pump, this means the battery is starting to corrode. Considered to be a very serious problem, you should call us right away for a sump pump replacement.
A Dry Sump Pit
When you see your sump pit is dry, this means your sump pump was not properly installed. In many cases, it will not be properly hooked up to the drainage system. If left unchecked, expect to need a professional plumber from Boss Plumbing for drain cleaning services or other specialized services such as sewer line replacement and sewer pipe repair or sewer cleaning in order to get your sump pump system back on track.
Repair or Replace the Sump Pump?
If your sump pump shows visible signs of damage or wear and tear, we recommend replacing it with a new and updated model. Should you experience issues such as a pump that is always running, tripping electrical circuits, or not pumping water as fast as before, we often find repairing the fan or impeller, replacing a switch, or adding a new check valve can solve the problem.
How to Prevent Problems
To keep your sump pump in great shape, we recommend regular maintenance, making sure your sump pump pit does not go dry, and not ignoring early warning signs of potential problems. Rather than let your sump pump run continuously or simply plug it in and never look at it again, let our knowledgeable technicians perform regular maintenance on your sump pump so that it stays in top condition.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Unless you are very skilled at plumbing projects and also have in-depth electrical knowledge as well, we suggest you always call a professional plumber for your sump pump issues. If you try to fix or replace your sump pump yourself but don’t know exactly what to do, you can make a bad situation much worse and even put your safety at risk.
Call Boss Plumbing Today
Well-known throughout Los Angeles for our expert plumbing services that are always fast, and reliable, we here at Boss Plumbing can make sure your home has a sump pump that will be at its best when it’s needed the most. By calling us today to schedule a service call, you’ll get plumbers at your home who are courteous, knowledgeable, and will always explain everything in easy-to-understand terms.
If you want peace of mind along with a sump pump you can always count on, contact us today here at Boss Plumbing.
