The sump pump in your Normal, IL home is responsible for keeping your basement dry. The sump pump is placed in a pit at the lowest spot in your basement and will kick on when the ground soaks up too much water when it rains or the snow melts and pumps the water out, preventing a basement flood.
Because your sump pump is essential in preventing basement floods, it’s necessary to recognize the signs that the pump isn’t working, and you can schedule an appointment for sump pump repair.
#1 The Sump Pump Makes Strange Sounds
If you hear loud sounds coming from the sump pump in your home, you should schedule an appointment for sump pump repair.
Several problems can cause the unit to make noise, and you will need a professional in sump pumps to figure out what’s wrong.
The most common cause of loud noises is worn-out components in the pump. The noise could also indicate a damaged part, such as the fan or propeller. If the pump isn’t repaired soon, further damage can occur, causing a complete breakdown.
Excessive vibrating is also a problem and indicates an issue with the sump pump’s impeller. A professional can inspect the sump pump to see the extent of the damage, and to determine if it can be fixed or if the sump pump needs to be replaced.
#2 The Sump Pump Won’t Stop Running
The sump pump in your Normal, IL home should only run when the basement is at risk for flooding. If the sump pump runs constantly, you should immediately call a sump pump repair professional. Several problems can cause the sump pump to continue running, and you will need a professional to figure out what is causing the problem.
A problem with the switch is a sensor to alert the sump pump of rising water levels. If the switch isn’t working, the sump pump will think the basement is about to flood and will keep running. In addition, the float arm mechanism may have failed, which will cause the sump pump to run constantly.
When you schedule an appointment for a repair, the problem will be resolved quickly, and the pump will only turn on when needed.
#3 The Sump Pump Cycles On and Off Repeatedly
If it’s raining heavily and the sump pump in your basement is at risk for flooding, the sump pump should run to prevent a basement flood. If the basement cycles on and off repeatedly, call a professional in sump pump repair.
There could be a problem with the sensor switch, and the sump pump won’t get the correct signals and will cycle on and off. An electrical short somewhere in your home can interfere with the sump pump’s wiring, causing it to cycle frequently.
A professional in sump pump repair can inspect the equipment to find the cause of the problem and make the necessary repair.
#4 There Is Visible Rust On the Sump Pump
Over time, rust can form on the sump pump in your home. In many cases, the battery spots are due to bacterial buildup. Fortunately, the rust won’t affect your family’s health; however, rust and bacteria can affect how the water flows through the drainage system. When this happens, a professional in sump pump repair can inspect the unit and the drainage system to determine if it’s time to replace the sump pump.
#5 Debris Keeps Getting Into the Sump Pump’s Motor
It isn’t uncommon for the sump pump to suck up sediment. Over time, this can cause the pump’s motor to shut down before it should. The best way to prevent this is by having a professional in sump pumps install a filter to prevent the debris from getting into the motor. If you have a filter installed, you will have to call a professional in sump pumps to clean or replace the filter. Considering that you will need to replace the sump pump prematurely due to sediment, the filter and additional visits are the more cost-effective option.
#6 Your Sump Pump Hasn’t Been Used For a While
If there hasn’t been heavy rainfall in Normal, IL, lately, your sump pump can sit in standby mode, which can cause issues. Like the battery in your car, the sump pump needs to run periodically to ensure it starts up every time.
If there is a severe storm in the forecast, it’s best to call a professional in sump pumps to inspect the pump and get it running to ensure it will kick on when it starts raining heavily.
#7 The Sump Pump Isn’t Working At All
If your sump pump isn’t kicking on even after repeated tries, you should schedule an appointment for sump pump repair as soon as possible.
The worst-case scenario is that the motor has broken down completely, and the sump pump needs to be replaced. The issue could also be due to an electrical problem, or the drain hoses could be clogged or broken.
A plumber specializing in sump pumps can inspect the pump to determine why it isn’t working, determine if it can be repaired, or if a replacement is the better option.
Why Choose Covenant Plumbing?
If you need to schedule an appointment for sump pump repair, call Covenant Plumbing. We are a family-owned and operated, full-service plumbing company serving customers in the area since 2006. Our plumbers have been providing excellent service since we opened our doors 16 years ago, earning us an excellent reputation in the community. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating on Google. We were the second-place winner of the Reader’s Choice Bloomington/Normal Best Of Award and won the first place honor in 2021.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, skilled, and qualified to handle all plumbing jobs. If you have a plumbing problem that can’t wait or an issue arises when we aren’t in the office, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We will get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem.
To schedule an appointment for sump pump repair or any other service we provide, give us a call today.