'I Think It's Going To Rain Today'

Who could use a nice beach day?  I know I sure could!  Unfortunately, this week’s forecast calls for heavy rain –EEEK.  I see emergency calls in my future. 

The most common EMS call we get during heavy rains is for sump pump failures.  Here is a list of common reasons for a sump pump failure and precautionary measures. 

  1.  Power Failure

Your primary sump pump is no different than any other electric appliance in your house -- without power, it is completely worthless.  As a safeguard, invest in a high-quality back-up sump pump. 

  

2.  Switch was Stuck

There are several different types of sump float switches.  Vertical and tethered floats are the most common.  We strongly prefer vertical floats because tethered floats are notorious for getting stuck on the side walls of the sump pit, which can result in a flooded basement.  Some sump pumps also have mechanical pressure switches that are prone to failure.

3.  Pump was Overwhelmed

A common misconception is all pumps are created equal.  They’re not!  In sump pumps, as in life, you always get what you pay for.  Minimally, you need a 1/3 horsepower sump pump capable of pumping 35 gallons of water per minute.  Much less than that and your sump pump might not be able to keep up with the flow of water.  If your house sits in a higher water table and / or if you hear your sump pump running frequently, I’d advise upgrading to a ½ horsepower pump (which can typically pump about 60 gallons per minute).  And to be completely safe, buy a battery back-up pump!

4.  Sump Discharge Pipe Froze

This is a very common occurrence with our brutal Midwest winters (although I must say this past winter was a treat!).  If the pipe isn’t pitched properly, water will collect and eventually freeze, causing a blockage.  Because what goes up must come down, the water falls right back into your sump pit.  When the pit continues to fill up, the water has no place to go but all over your basement floor.  By the way, we have an answer to this problem.

5.  Old Age

“If it ain't broke, don't fix it” is bad practice when it comes to sump pumps as you could wind up with a basement full of water.  Sump pumps should be replaced every five to seven years to be reasonably safe. 

By Michelle Davis