Effective tips for troubleshooting your sump pump to prevent floods

 

A sump pump is a great machine that helps you prevent floods in your home. However, if your pump starts malfunctioning, it may not pump enough water and this could lead to flooding. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot your pump.

Check to see if the pump is clogged

If you want to prevent clogging, you should never let your pump sit directly on the bottom of your sump pit. You should instead place your pump on top of a pedestal that keeps it elevated above the area where debris builds up.

Debris and small objects can get into the sump pit if it is uncovered. Uncovered sump pit also poses a hazard to pets and kids. You should, therefore, keep your pump in a container with a sealed lid to keep debris and objects from falling into the sump pit.

Ensure the floating switch is not jammed

When you buy sump pump, its working cycle should be triggered by a floating switch. This means that when the level of water in the sump pit rises to a certain level, the floating device will turn on the pump. Sometimes, this switch can get jammed or stuck.

In cheaper models, the switch can get tangled in the system and this could cause the pump to vibrate and displace the float, making it lean against the sump pit’s wall and malfunction. If these things happen, your pump will either stop working or run nonstop. You should, therefore, call a professional right away.

Inspect the discharge line

When the discharge line of your sump pump gets clogged, water will come back into the sump pit. You should, therefore, install grates at the end of your discharge pipe to keep small animals and debris from getting into the lines. Install a quality grated discharge line attachment to keep the water flowing when the discharge pipe freeze.

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