Sump pumps help prevent flooding in crawlspaces and basements. They work hard to remove water from the home and help you save money on damages that flooding can cause. Like any plumbing mechanism, a sump pump can get overworked or have problems. Knowing how to solve these problems will help keep water from destroying your home so you can enjoy your home without stress.
1- Foul Odor
A sump pump has a trap that holds water to prevent gas and sewage backup from entering your home or other water supply. As the water in this trap evaporates, it can spread a foul order through your home. Foul odors usually occur during hot weather when the water dissipates but leaves behind the gunk.
Ensure that your sump pump always has water in the trap so it covers the drain lines and pipes. This will help prevent a foul odor from spreading into your home. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you can also add a bleach solution that will help disinfect the drain. Add more water or bleach solution to engage the float switch.
2- Power Failure
A home sump pump runs off of electricity, so when your home loses power it affects the operation of the pump. Sump pumps can also cause your breakers to trip or temporary power outages when they are working continuously. Installing a backup power source like a battery backup or generator will ensure your sump pump runs during an emergency.
During a major storm or natural disaster, you may experience more water entering your basement or crawlspace and if your pump does not have access to a power source, it won’t be able to protect your home. Since floods and loss of power often go hand in hand, having a backup power source will ensure you don’t have another disaster to deal with.
3- Clogged Sump Pump
There are many reasons your sump pump can be clogged including:
- The sump pit fills up with debris
- Mechanical parts are clogged with dirt
- The float switch jams up or is coated in debris
- Switches jam or become stuck
As your sump pump works to move water out of your home, sediment and other contaminants will build up. Homeowners should check their pumps regularly and clean them out during the off-season. If your parts are not working properly, call in a plumber to help you know if it can be repaired or if you need a new sump pump.
4- Frozen Discharge Lines
A discharge line can freeze during the winter months and prevent water from draining out of the sump pump. Expelling water from your home is the whole goal of a pump, so when the discharge line is frozen, the pump can not complete its job. Homeowners can install a freeze-resistant line before the winter to help avoid this problem. Lines can also be insulated so that freezing is less likely to occur.
5- Pump Is Running Non-Stop
When a sump pump runs consistently, it doesn’t always indicate that there is water going into your home. Running sump pumps are a problem can can become overworked easily. The most common reason for running sump pumps is the float switch has become tangled. This can disable the pump from ever turning off and use a large amount of electricity.
If a sump pump is overworking for any reason, it can run constantly throughout the day. It is important to have a plumber check out the pump to ensure that you don’t have backflow and to limit the electrical usage of the pump.
6- The Pump Is Overwhelmed
During an intense flooding year or when your sump pump has damaged parts, the pump can get overwhelmed. This can cause the consistent running problem discussed above, or cause the pump to stop working altogether. Older versions of sump pumps may be more prone to overwhelm, so upgrading to a new unit can help ensure your home stays dry.
Plumbing Services From S&B Plumbing
Our plumbers are the best in Northern Utah. S&B Plumbing offers multiple services for residential and commercial properties including, sink repair, toilet repair, slab leak detection and repair, repiping, gas line installation, new construction plumbing, and more. No matter what service you need, our plumbers come prepared with all the tools and parts they may need. Your service will be completed efficiently with only one visit to the property. Reach out to our team to have better quality plumbing with ease!