Sump pumps are key components in a drainage system that helps keep homes and businesses free from flooding. They’re not exactly delicate pieces of equipment, but just like any other electrical or mechanical device, they need maintenance and repair. In fact, if your sump pump breaks down, or its performance has degraded significantly, water can enter through cracks in your basement or at ground level can end up damaging parts of your home. Water can cause serious damage to your basement flooring or furnace, not to mention water damage is one of the most common causes for mold infestation. If you’re experiencing issues with dampness in certain areas of your property, pay attention! Your sump pump may be damaged or not functioning properly, in which case you have two options – either repair it or replace it with a new one altogether. To help you decide which option is best for your sump pump, we’ve compiled a list of six indicators that will let you know if it needs repair or replacement instead. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at these factors! If you are in need of a experienced Stafford plumber, give us a call today.
3 SIGNS YOUR SUMP PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED
Below are three indicators that may mean your sump pump could need repair.
1) UNUSUAL NOISE
Sump pumps, for better or worse, aren’t exactly quiet. Their primary function is to pump water out of your basement and into a drainage system (usually an outside drain), and they’re meant to operate loudly and continuously for as long as it takes – whether that’s hours or days. However, if you suddenly hear loud noises coming from your sump pump, which were not present before, there’s a chance something may be wrong with it. If these sounds don’t subside even after you’ve inspected your sump pump thoroughly, call a professional immediately! In some cases, increased noise could mean damaged seals around a rotating shaft but also alert you to problems like bearings wearing down over time. And just so we’re clear here – no matter how well-built your sump pump is, it will still have moving parts that need periodic lubrication and repair, just like any other machine.
2) CONSTANT VIBRATING
If your sump pump is constantly vibrating when it turns on, there may be something wrong with its motor. This could also mean problems with its main shaft seal (the seal that seals off your pump pit) or with other parts in its motor assembly. Either way, you’ll need to call a professional Stafford plumbing company, so they can fix it as soon as possible – don’t try taking matters into your own hands unless you know exactly what you’re doing!
3) NO WATER IN THE SUMP PIT
If your Stafford sump pump isn’t discharging water into a drainage system, there may be a problem with its primary function – pumping water out of your basement. In such cases, there is definitely something wrong with its motor or other moving parts that need professional attention. The best way to resolve these issues is by calling a plumber, who can inspect your entire sump pit and check for any problems with seals or other things that could cause disruptions in its functionality.
3 SIGNS YOUR SUMP PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
Now that you know how to tell if your sump pump needs repair, it’s time we move on to replacement! These are some of the most common signs that indicate it’s time for a new sump pump.
1) SEVEN YEARS OLD OR OLDER
If your sump pump is between seven and ten years old, you should strongly consider replacing it since pumps that are seven years old tend to lose effectiveness over time. The biggest culprit for decreased efficiency in sump pumps is corrosion on their metal parts, which tends to happen over time. To get around these issues, newer pumps are made of more corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum alloys – but not all of them! So even if your pump isn’t exactly seven years old yet, it’s a good idea to start planning for its replacement about six months before its actual age. This will give you enough time to research options, compare costs and find a suitable replacement while your current one is still functional.
2) CONTINUOUS MOTOR FAILURE
If your sump pump motor has constantly been failing, it’s a good idea to start thinking about replacing it as soon as possible. After all, why waste your hard-earned money on a motor that won’t last very long in the first place! Instead of doing that, you should take advantage of its failure and use it as an opportunity to replace it with a new one.
3) YOUR SUMP PUMP HAS STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER
As mentioned earlier, your sump pump is a crucial part of your overall basement drainage system. And as such, it’s important that you replace it as soon as possible if it stops working. Of course, there could be various reasons for its failure – which we discussed above – but one thing is certain.
If you don’t do anything about your malfunctioning sump pump and wait for it to start working again on its own, there’s a chance that your basement will flood! That would spell disaster for you and your family, especially if that happens during wintertime. So, make sure you replace it right away!
CONCLUSION
So now that you know why and when to replace your sump pump, we’re sure you won’t be experiencing any water problems in your basement anytime soon. If you do, however, give a call to your local plumbing company so they can send over a licensed plumber who will find out what went wrong with your old one and repair it – or simply install a new one!
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