Welcome back to the advanced sewer blog! Here, we like to give Buffalo homeowners tips to ensure that their homes’ plumbing and drains function at their best. Today, we’re going to hop into the world of sump pumps and what some common failure points are so you can be prepared! Imagine this – it’s like an absolute monsoon outside, with water pouring faster than you’ve ever seen before. But you feel comfortable because you have a sump pump. You go downstairs to check it out during a commercial break, but instead of a dry basement, you’re met with a pool of water. Your sump pump failed! What happened? Let’s find out with the 5 most common ways sump pumps fail (with a [dis]honorable mention for good measure).
Why Do Sump Pumps Fail?
Sump pumps fail for a variety of reasons. Since they’re mechanical, that means that all those moving parts can be opportunities for something to go wrong, including malfunction or simply breaking. They require a power source, so outages can cause them to stop. Poor design and build quality can mean premature failure. Being installed incorrectly can lead to ineffective performance of your sump pump.
5 Common Ways Sump Pumps Fail in WNY
Sump Pump Switch Failure
The On/Off switch is the most common way sump pumps fail mechanically. This can occur when the switch is stuck in either the ON or OFF position. With the switch stuck to “ON”, the sump pump continuously runs when it isn’t needed, leading to overheating and premature failure. Being stuck in the “OFF” position can cause it not to pump out any water when it’s needed most. Luckily, repairs for this are relatively cheap and easy in comparison. Sometimes, people might keep the old sump pump (with a new switch) as a backup and have a new one installed in the basin.
Sump Pump Float Stuck
The float operates the on/off switch and it can fail as well. Some of the common ways this occurs is by being pinned to the side of the basin or with foreign objects impeding it. This is also relatively easy to fix by unplugging the sump pump, removing the obstacle, and repositioning the pump so the float doesn’t get stuck again.
Overworked Sump Pump
Sump pumps can really only handle so much water in a certain amount of time. Maybe your Buffalo home’s sump pump might not be reliable or powerful enough to handle the sheer volume of water pouring in, maybe the sump pump was a cheaper model, or maybe it was installed incorrectly. The quality of your pump matters, too, as cheaper models made of lower-grade materials are more likely to fail. If this is a problem you face, it may be time to call in the experts at Advanced Sewer and upgrade your sump pump.
Power Outages
Your sump pump is hooked into your home’s electrical system like any other appliance. If a serious storm causes a power outage or circuit break, or the cord gets damaged, your pump can fail. Since it’s a piece of electrical equipment, it’s vulnerable to many of the same things that can cause other electronics to fail. Power failures during severe storms are somewhat common, so having a battery-operated backup is an option a lot of people opt for to keep their basements dry.
Motor Failure
The motor on your sump pump can burn out, a relatively common occurrence. The voltage from the supply can keep increasing until the pump overheats and shuts itself off. Multiple factors can influence this, like an overworked sump pump, poor quality, or being undersized for the job. If the motor is too small, the water will pour into the basin faster than the sump pump can clear it, causing it to continuously run and burn out.
You need to make sure that your sump pump is the right size and plugged directly into the outlet, and be the only thing that’s on the circuit breaker or fuse giving it power.
Casing Failure
What is the casing? Its the protective shell that the motor is housed in. Failed bearings, cracks in the casing, debris in your impeller, or a broken impeller can lead to the case overheating. Fixing this is likely to mean a call to the professionals and potentially a new sump pump. You can inspect it though, so you know exactly what the issue was. Unplug the sump pump, inspect the bottom section for cracks or holes that water can escape through, inspect the suction screen for any debris, and inspect the impeller (the fanlike device at the bottom) blades to see if they’re worn or missing.
Why Choose Advanced Sewer?
Your sump pump helps keep the basement of your Buffalo home dry and in its best condition, especially during the stormy season. But they’re not perfect, they’re electrical machines that can fail. Knowing what the common issues are that cause sump pumps to fail lets you be prepared in case something goes awry, and allows you to get the problem fixed before the worst weather hits.
Do you need sump pump services in Buffalo? Want to get your pipes and pumps checked out before winter hits? Get in touch with the pros at Advanced Sewer but giving us a call or filling out a contact form today!
