Although the US Department of Housing and Development estimates that the life expectancy of a sump pump is around ten years, they can still break before their time is up, especially if you live in an area with heavy rains or excessive snowmelt. Taking action the first sign of a bad pump could help save you thousands in flood damage. If you start noticing any of the following signs, it might be time to call in the professionals.
Excessive Vibrations
A device called an impeller draws the water into the sump pump. Occasionally debris will be sucked in along with water, damaging the impeller. When the impeller becomes damaged, it will cause the whole pump to vibrate. Repairing the impeller is difficult so it is best to replace the pump.
Rust
The rust you see forming could be coming from the battery terminals or from bacteria that feeds off the iron in the water. As it builds up, it will cause a disturbance in the flow of water.
Power Outages
Many times the sump pump is wired to the home’s electrical system. There are components on the sump pump that are vulnerable to damage during power surges. When this occurs the pump will have to be replaced. A different source of power should be considered if you experience power surges often.
Awful Noises
Typically this is a sign of a damaged or broken part and should be inspected by a professional.
Unusual Cycling
If you find that your sump pump is frequently cycling on and off, it could be due to an incorrectly adjusted switch, or bad wiring.
Running for Long Periods
Chances are that your sump pump does not have enough power for the job at hand. Either there is too much water for the pump or the layout of the pipe is too intricate to get all that water through. In this case, it would be time for an upgrade. It could also be due to faulty wiring or a bad switch.
Motor Issues
A motor that keeps getting stuck means that there is excessive sediment being sucked in. Before it breaks have a filter installed to keep the sediment out. It will have to be cleaned periodically.
For assistance with sump pump issues, call the experts at B-Dry of Boston at (978) 262-1405 or visit our website!
