What Are Common Sump Pump Problems And When Do I Need Sump Pump Repair? | Normal, IL

What-Are-Common-Sump-Pump-Problems-And-When-Do-I-Need-Sump-Pump-Repair--_-Normal,-IL

There are many reasons why your basement might get flooded. For instance, plumbing system leaks and clogs, poor basement sealing, gutter debris, or improperly installed downspouts might get your basement wet. But whatever the cause might be, a flooded basement might lead to several serious problems. For instance, it can encourage the growth of mold, which might compromise your family’s health and put the structural integrity of your Normal, IL home at risk. The good news is that you can rely on your home’s sump pump to keep your basement dry. Unfortunately, like any other electrical appliance, your sump pump can fail at some point. But unless you are a professional plumber, repairing a sump pump is not a job you can do on your own, and therefore, if your sump pump is broken, you need to call a professional plumber to help you fix it. But why exactly can your sump pump fail? Below is a rundown of the most common sump pump problems that can prompt you to call a professional sump pump repair expert.

Sump Pump Size Problems

The size of your sump pump can affect its performance. Therefore, for your sump pump to work as expected, it needs to be of the right size for your Normal, IL house. If your sump pump is too small, it will most likely get overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this means that it will need to work harder than it was designed to, meaning that it might break down. The good news is that your professional sump pump repair expert can help you to repair your sump pump, install an additional sump pump, or even replace your small sump pump with a bigger one. If you need a new sump pump, your professional sump pump repair expert will help you ensure that you pick the right size.

Improper Sump Pump Installation

How a sump pump is installed will affect its performance. For a sump pump to perform at its optimal level, it must be installed correctly. But sump pump installation is a complex job that involves many fine details to be considered. For instance, a check valve may need to be installed on the discharge line. If this is not done, water will flow back and cause the pump’s impeller to spin backward. Unfortunately, this will have the effect of unscrewing the motor shaft. As such, if the person who did the installation made some mistakes, your sump pump might fail to work as expected. In such a situation, you need to call a professional plumber to ensure that any installation mistakes are corrected. If need be, your sump pump repair expert might decide to reinstall your sump pump altogether.

Sump Pump Running Non-Stop

Your sump pump should only be running when it is needed. Therefore, if your sump pump is always running, regardless of the season or the weather conditions, there is a reason to be worried. This issue can occur due to several reasons. For instance, if your sump pump switches are stuck, then the sump pump might run without stopping. The issues can also occur if the check valve is broken or missing. But whatever the cause of the problem might be, it will have the effect of forcing your sump pump to work harder than it is designed to, meaning that it will only be a matter of time before the sump pump burns out. To prevent such an eventuality, you need to engage a professional sump pump repair expert as soon as you notice that your sump pump is running constantly. Sump pump experts, such as Covenant Plumbing, have the necessary experience, tools, and experience to accurately diagnose any underlying cause of the issue and ensure that it is fixed decisively.

Clogged or Frozen Discharge Lines

A frozen or clogged discharge line is one of the most common causes of a sump pump failure. The discharge line usually runs from the pump pit to the area where it drains the water somewhere outside your house. The discharge pipe might be clogged by dirt, roots, rock, or even rodents. In winter, the water in the pipe might freeze as the weather gets colder. If this pipe is frozen or clogged, your sump pump will fail to keep your basement dry, meaning that water will accumulate in the basement. In such a situation, you will need a professional sump pump repair expert to identify the part of the pipe that is blocked and ensure that the blockage is removed in a way that does not cause damage to your sump pump.

Old Age

Nothing lasts forever, and your sump pump is not designed to beat that rule. On average, sump pumps are designed to last about a decade. With time, the various components of the sump pump will gradually wear out and eventually fail completely. As such, as your sump pump approaches the end of its life, you might be forced to call your sump pump repair service more often due to frequent breakdowns. If the repairs seem to be getting too expensive, your plumbing expert might advise you to replace the pump.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, a sump pump is an important appliance to have in your basement. The pump helps with keeping your basement dry, which should protect the structural integrity of your house and keep your family healthy. However, it is important to note that given the complexity of your sump pump, it is impossible for you to repair it yourself when it breaks down. Therefore, you need to be in touch with a professional sump pump repair expert you can call when your sump pump has a problem. If you are looking for a dependable plumber providing professional sump pump repair services in and around Normal, IL, Covenant Plumbing is the best choice. We have been repairing sump pumps for a long time, and we are a household name in our community. Get in touch with us today for more information about our company and services.

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