What happens when my sump pump fails? | Chepachet, RI

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

Give us a call if your sump pump failed, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."

What is a sump pump?

Sump pumps sit at the bottom of a "sump pit" which is usually at the lowest point of your basement or crawl space. 

Sump pumps will help solve most basement flooding issues. The sump pump removes the water from flooding and it goes into the nearest storm drain or detention pond. 

The sump pump will only turn on when the water reaches a specific level. Sump pumps are equipped with floats, like in your cars gas tank, to determine the level of the water. 

What causes sump pump failure?

Power outage: a power outage can cause your sump pump to fail or not work properly. In the very unfortunate circumstance of a bad storm + power outage = flooding and failed sump pump. 

Stuck switch: this happens when the pump moves around inside the sump pit, and the float will get stuck against the inside of the pump, or other debris causing the float not to properly float. 

To fix your float, it's simple, all you need to do is a little bit of cleaning and adjust your pump inside the pit. 

Clogged pipe: if the pipes from your sump pump are clogged, water won't be able to flow through, and it will end up right back in your basement. To prevent clogging, install a grate at the opening of the pipe so it can catch any debris. 

Old: If your sump pump is older, it won't be working up to par. It's recommended to replace your pump every 10 years to keep it working properly. 

Maintenance: Add "clean sump pump" to your seasonal cleaning check list (every season). Keeping up with the maintenance of your sump pump will keep it in working order. According to this plumber (https://www.citywideplumbing.com/resources/common-plumbing-emergencies/) run vinegar through your sump pump, and clean all the vents as well as air holes on the discharge line. 

If your sump pump fails and your basement is covered in water, give us a call at 401-949-9955, we're here to help!! 

As experts in water damage restoration, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."