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What is a sump pump? A sump pump is a device used to prevent basement or crawl space flooding by removing excess water from a pit. They are typically found in homes prone to heavy rainfall or high water tables. A sump pump activates automatically, by pumping water away from the building helping to avoid water damage. There are two main types of sump pumps: Submersible (hidden & quiet) and Pedestal (easier to access for maintenance but potentially noisier).
For homeowners, sump pumps offer invaluable peace of mind, assuring protection against the consequences of severe storms and flooding. Call the professionals at James River Air. Our master plumbers will provide expert guidance and top-quality solutions to keep your home safeguarded during severe weather conditions.
Why isn’t my sump pump working? You’re probably asking this question because you’ve experienced water in your basement after or during heavy rain. Luckily there are several steps you can take to diagnose the problem before the next storm hits.
Before you check anything inside the pump, be sure to unplug it from the power source. Check to make sure the electrical outlet on the pump is plugged in and working. Plug something else into the outlet - if it's not working, check to see if your circuit breaker has tripped. You'll want to be on your own circuit breaker, as they require a lot of electricity.
The float switch on your sump pump operates in a similar way to the float switch in your toilet. If it cannot engage properly, the pump will not turn on or off. Debris may also be a factor in preventing the switch from operating freely. Clear away anything you see that could be obstructing the pump.
Sump pumps have an intake screen at the bottom where water flows in. Check to make sure it hasn't been plugged by debris so water can move freely.
Sump pumps typically expel water from your basement and away from your foundation through a discharge pipe. If water cannot exit, the system will not work! Inspect the end of the pipe outside your home to ensure there is no debris blocking the water flow.
I think I fixed the problem, but how do I test by sump pumps to make sure it’s working properly? First, make sure your sump pump is plugged back in to your electrical outlet. Next, dump enough water into your pump to raise the float switch and listen for it to start up. If you can, have someone outside to make sure the water comes out of the drainage pipe.
If you are unable to find the problem, or your sump pump is still not operating correctly – the motor could be broken, the sump pump may be defective, or there is a clog in the drainage line that you are unable to access. In this case, let our master plumbers here at James River Air get your sump pump operating at peak efficiency before severe weather strikes again!
