February 2, 2024

Sump Pump and Rain: All You Need to Know

By Asher B In blog No comments

Imagine sitting in the comfort of your home, enjoying a rare rainy day here in Los Angeles. The grey clouds have opened, and rain gently falls from the sky. It’s a welcome and relaxing sight.

That is until you hear a distinct sound coming from your basement.

The noise is non-stop and is becoming quite disconcerting. You’re starting to wonder, is there something malfunctioning downstairs?

On the contrary, the rain has activated one of your home’s most essential devices, the sump pump.

Often, after a rainy storm, we at Boss Plumbing get questions from concerned customers about flooding and a strange noise coming from their basement.

The answers are straightforward and vital to know as a homeowner.

If you’re unsure what a sump pump does or why it’s running, read about its critical job and when that strange noise may warrant a call to us, Boss Plumbing, Los Angeles’s premier professional plumbers.

What is a Sump Pump?

Designed to prevent flooding in your home and redirect rainwater away from your structure, the sump pump is usually situated in a crawl space or basement, as in the lowest part of your home.

Whether you own a floor pump or one located at the bottom of a pit or sump basin, this motorized machine uses suction to suck in the water and then force it through a discharge pipe away from your home’s foundation.

Should Your Sump Pump Run When it Rains?

The simple answer is yes! If your sump pump isn’t operating while it’s raining, that is cause for concern.

This device’s operation is critical to ensure rainwater does not enter your home during a heavy rain storm. Excess water could seep into your home’s foundation without an operational sump pump, causing flooding or catastrophic damage.

This device should typically operate whenever the water reaches a certain level in the sump basin. That height is predetermined based on your home’s unique conditions and needs.

Often, homeowners wonder if there’s cause for concern when their sump pump is running non-stop, especially after a storm. It’s not unusual for it to run for two to three days once the rain has ceased. They work overtime to ensure the new rainfall does not enter your home.

You may have a problem if the sump pump is constantly running when it hasn’t rained in weeks or if it’s working but water isn’t draining in your basement.

Can Heavy Rain Overwhelm a Sump Pump?

Indeed, the heavy rain we’ve seen here in Los Angeles recently can overwhelm a sump pump, causing it to overflow. Some of our residential customers have disproportionately small sump pumps compared to the size of their homes. This results in a device that’s not powerful enough to handle the water flowing into the basin.

The solution is to purchase a larger sump pump or invest in a second one and have it installed in your basement or crawl space.

Can a Sump Pump Motor Get Wet?

Yes, sump pumps can get wet, which usually creates fundamental problems. If the electrical components of a sump pump are exposed to water, they can burn the pump and shorten its motor.

Similarly, the sump pump can rust and corrode if water seeps into the sump basin where it’s located.

To prevent either of these things, we encourage our residential customers to ensure their gutters and drains are debris-free, such as leaves, gravel, or anything else that might clog them.

Additionally, consider investing in a secondary sump pump as a backup. Should anything cause your first one to stop working, you’ve got another one that won’t leave you with two inches of water in your basement.

When Should I Call a Professional Plumber?

There are several different clues that your sump pump will reveal if it’s not functioning properly after a rain. They include the following.

Abnormal Vibrations

One of the significant components of a sump pump is its impeller. An impeller is designed to draw water into the sump basin.

When debris flows into the pump after heavy rain, sometimes it can damage the impeller by bending its blades or damaging it.

A broken component like this, which is intentionally balanced to reduce wear, will vibrate strongly and make a lot of noise, causing it to become unbalanced.

Unfortunately, impellers are not easily bent back into shape and usually require a professional plumber to install a replacement.

Infrequent Usage

There have been many years in Los Angeles where we get very little rain, and many sump pumps weren’t used regularly. Infrequent use of a sump pump can shorten the life of your device. That’s why it’s essential to test your device regularly to ensure it works properly and does not need replacement. Do not wait until the rain has started to test it out.

Loud Noises

Loud or unusual noises from your sump pump are among the first and easiest indicators that something is wrong. Generally, these devices operate reasonably quietly regardless of how much water they absorb.

Therefore, anything above a gentle humming emanating from your sump pump could signify a problem.

Whether it’s the damaged pump parts or the motor, only a professional plumber can safely remove and repair them.

Constantly running

A sump pump constantly running without pauses after a heavy rainfall usually indicates that it’s taking in too much water.

One of the biggest causes of this is a blocked discharge line. Storm debris, such as leaves, dirt, or branches, can wreak havoc on your device and cause it to run incessantly.