Prevent water damage in your Nashville home this spring by watching for sump pump failures

5/18/2015 (Permalink)

Sump pump diagram Source - http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/sump-pump1.htm

Sump pumps are headache savers when it comes to saving our basements from flooding whenever a downpour occurs. The sump pump sits in the lowest part of our basement or crawlspace and is automatically activated when it detects that there is water starting to fill up the hole it is sitting in. As the pump runs, it sends the water out of the discharge line and away from the home making sure that the home does not flood. Like any other mechanical device, sump pumps still have the possibility of failing.

Causes of sump pump failure

·      Power failure – The most common cause for failure of a sump pump is a power outage. As we know, most power outages happen when we need the sump pump most, during a storm. Purchasing a backup generator to keep your sump pump moving during a storm can save your home from a flooded basement.

·      Improper installation – The installation of a sump pump is crucial to it working properly. One mistake or misstep in following the manufacturer instructions can lead to water to be displaced. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s manual or consult a professional to make sure the sump pump is installed correctly.

·      Frozen or clogged discharge line – The discharge line is where the water exits the home. It is important to make sure that the line is protected from freezing and does not have debris such as dirt, rocks and sticks. A grated discharge line will give water a separate way to flow in case of a blockage.

·      Lack of maintenance – Manufacturers recommend testing and running the pump every 2-3 months.

·      Switch problems – The purpose of the sump pump is to automatically turn on when a sensor notices that there is water build up. If the pump gets shifted and moves position inside of the basin, it can cause switch to be inaccurate and not know where the correct water level is, making the pump not switch on at the correct time.

·      Manufacturer defect – Although it is rare to get a bad machine right out of the store, it still is possible. It is important to test the pump after installation to ensure that it is running properly so that you aren’t finding the defect when it is already too late.

Source - http://renewservices.com/7-causes-of-sump-pump-failure-what-to-do/