5 Signs You Need a New Sump Pump

When your sump pump quits, you lose an essential appliance and risk water damage from basement flooding.

Replacing your sump pump before it breaks down is key to avoiding costly and inconvenient repairs, flooding, and frustration.

The sump pump in your Utah home protects your crawlspace or basement from flooding. A higher water table and heavy rainfall can contribute to flooding, creating a build-up of groundwater around your home’s foundation. Your sump pump sends the excess water into a drain that carries it away from your home.

If it breaks down, water that accumulates in the sump pit, the hole in your basement floor where the pump operates, will overflow onto the floor instead of draining to the outdoors.

Our experts at Friendly Plumber, Heating and Air can diagnose any problems you are experiencing with your sump pump. We maintain, repair, replace, and install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, plumbing fixtures, faucets, water heaters, and drains, in addition to sump pumps.

You can count on us to help you select a sump pump with the appropriate horsepower and size to keep your Salt Lake City home dry.

Buy a Backup for Power Outages

Consider installing a backup system for your sump pump, regardless of its age or how well it functions. A power outage during a rainstorm can render your sump pump useless unless you have a generator powering your home.

Ask our qualified professionals at Friendly Plumber, Heating and Air about installing an emergency backup system for your sump pump. Backup pumps operate with batteries or rely on water pressure to do their jobs.

Time to Buy a New Sump Pump?

Here are five common signs you need a new sump pump:

1. How old is your sump pump?

Age can indicate that your sump pump is nearing the end of its useful service life. Consider purchasing a new unit if your sump pump is nearing the end of its useful service life. Sump pumps typically last about 10 years.

2. Is your sump pump making noises?

Noise can signal the need for repairs or replacement. Your sump pump will make some sound as it works, but loud noise and vibration could indicate damaged or worn components inside the pump.

A clog inside the pump or at the impeller, the component that moves water from the sump pit into the pump, could cause noises and vibration.

Our plumbers at Friendly Plumber, Heating and Air can quickly determine if the pump needs replacement or repair. Ask us about preventative maintenance to help keep your equipment in top shape. Late winter is the perfect time to schedule a maintenance checkup before spring rain and melting snow contribute to groundwater.

3. Is your sump pump running continuously?

A sump pump that never stops running could have a malfunctioning float or failed switch. The two components work together to trigger the pump when water in the sump pit rises.

A sump pump that is too small for the job might continue to run as it struggles to keep up with rising groundwater. You may need a new sump pump with more horsepower to keep your Salt Lake City home dry.

4. Your sump pump struggles.

A clog in the drainage pipe could cause water to back up into the pit. When that happens, the float mechanism triggers the pump to start. It pumps the water back to the obstructed pipe and, the process repeats.

You also may need a sump pump with more horsepower. Your equipment may not have enough capacity to clear away rising groundwater. An undersized pump may cycle on and off as it struggles to drain the sump pit.

At Friendly Plumber, Heating and Air, we offer solutions for maintenance and installation. Your pump may need a little TLC to keep it clean and clear or, it may be time for its replacement.

5. Your sump pump stops working.

A tripped circuit breaker, a clog in the pump, a broken discharge pipe, or a malfunctioning pump motor are possible reasons why your sump pump has stopped working. A tripped breaker is an easy fix. Worn or clogged components may need repair. It makes sense to replace a sump pump that has a broken motor.

Call For A Consultation

Friendly Plumber, Heating and Air can assist with all your HVAC and plumbing needs in Salt Lake City, UT. Call us at (385) 381-6489 or request service online.