Your sump pump is your best defense against a flooded basement. The unit sits in a pit, and when it detects rising water, it will kick on and pump the water away from your home. The sump pump will prevent a basement flood during a severe rainstorm or when the snow melts quickly. In addition, the sump pump will decrease the cost of your insurance premiums.
Because your sump pump can prevent a damaging flood in the basement, it’s important to recognize signs that the unit isn’t functioning correctly, so you can hire a plumber specializing in sump pump repair before a disaster occurs.
Strange Sounds
Your sump pump should only make a low-level, continuous hum. If the unit sounds like your washing machine when it runs, it’s time to hire a professional in sump pump repair. The sound indicates an issue that can escalate to something more serious if not addressed immediately. If the unit makes a grinding or rattling sound, there’s an issue with the fan or impeller.
The plumber will inspect the unit to find the cause of the sound and fix it, so you’ll be prepared the next time there’s a storm in the forecast.
The Sump Pump Struggles to Turn On
You have a serious problem if the sump pump won’t turn on. If there’s a severe storm or a warm front in the forecast, there’s a significant risk of a flood, and you should call a plumber specializing in sump pump repair, immediately.
A few issues can prevent the unit from turning on. First, the float switch could be stuck or has become tangled in the sump basin. In addition, the brackets that hold the float switch may have broken. If the plumber inspects the unit and the float switch and brackets are functioning correctly, it may be time to replace the sump pump.
The Sump Pump Doesn’t Turn On
If your sump pump fails to turn on, there’s likely an issue with the motor, and you should hire a plumber specializing in sump pump repair. Before hiring a plumber, make sure the unit is turned on, and the circuit hasn’t tripped to avoid an unnecessary service call.
Several issues can prevent the unit from turning on, including:
- Damaged wiring
- The circuit keeps tripping
- The filter is damaged
- The extension hose can’t drain the water properly.
The plumber will inspect the unit to determine why it won’t turn on and repair it. When the job is complete, you won’t have to worry about a flood in the basement.
The Sump Pump Runs Constantly
Your sump pump is designed to kick on when the water level in the pit rises too high and should turn off when the risk of a flood is eliminated. If the unit runs constantly, it’s time to hire a plumber, specializing in sump pump repair.
The most common cause is a faulty switch that can be resolved with a simple repair. The unit could also be cycling too often because it isn’t powerful enough to handle the amount of water accumulated in the pit. This occurs if the sump pump is too small to handle the amount of water in the pit and must be replaced with a larger unit.
You should have the problem fixed as soon as possible so the unit will be ready when the next time the pit fills with water.
Constant Vibrating
Your sump pump shouldn’t vibrate when it runs, and it certainly shouldn’t vibrate constantly, so if it does, you should hire a plumber specializing in sump pump repair.
The unit’s impeller is designed to draw water into the sump pump and can also draw in debris that can clog the impeller, causing it to vibrate. The plumber can remove the debris from the impeller to stop it from vibrating. However, if the impeller is bent or damaged, it cannot be repaired, and you’ll need to replace the sump pump.
Visible Rust
Your sump pump works and sits in water, so it’s designed to keep from rusting. If you see visible rust on the unit, it could be due to a corroded battery or bacteria growth, and you’ll need to hire a plumber, specializing in sump pump repair.
A corroded battery won’t last much longer, and bacteria can cause a clog in your plumbing system, so the sump pump should be fixed right away.
There’s No Water in the Sump Pit
An empty sump pit is a problem, even if the unit appears to be functioning correctly. The pit won’t fill if you installed the pump yourself and made a mistake. The pit will also remain empty if the connection to the drainage system fails, and you’ll need a professional in sump pump repair to diagnose and repair the issue.
The Circuits Trip Frequently
Your sump pump runs on electricity, and the circuit will only trip if there’s a problem. The circuits will frequently trip if there’s a damaged switch, wiring issue, or the power source is insufficient. Working with electric equipment is unsafe if you aren’t a licensed electrician, and only a licensed plumber should find the cause and fix the problem.
The Professionals at Covenant Plumbing Can Help
If you need to schedule an appointment for sump pump repair, look no further than Covenant Plumbing. We’re a family-owned and operated, full-service plumbing company, proudly serving customers in the area since 2006, and we have an excellent reputation in the community. We have a 5-star rating on Google, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and won the Bloomington/Normal Best of Reader’s Choice Award in 2022.
Our fully licensed plumbers have undergone years of professional training and apprenticeship. Their knowledge, skill, and experience have allowed them to tackle some of the most challenging jobs in the plumbing industry.
We provide a comprehensive list of plumbing services and services our competitors don’t offer, such as remodeling services and water purification.
If you need to schedule an appointment for any service we provide, give Covenant Plumbing a call today.
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