How Long Do Sump Pumps Last? Useful Tips To Ensure Longevity

Installation Of A Sump Pump
Publish at Jun 05, 2022 By: 704 Plumber
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How devastating would it feel to see your basement flooded though you thought your plumbing system could resist it? The sump pump is one of the most vital parts of the plumbing system. By pumping water out of your basement or sump pump pit and into a sump pump system, sump pumps prevent basement flooding, water damage, and other problems. To ensure the safety of your home, you must ensure sump pump replacement every few years.

Ten years is the average lifespan of sump pumps. If your sump pump is used frequently, it will need to be checked once every two weeks. It is because sump pump failure can gradually occur with even the slightest deterioration of the drainage system.

When Should You Think To Replace Your Sump Pump?

The sump pit is the lowest point in your basement, so that's where submersible sump pumps are put. A pump moves water away from your home's foundation and into the sewer system. This keeps your basement from flooding and protects your home's foundation.

Installation Of A Sump Pump

 Because they are put in a reservoir, submersible sump pumps don't make much noise when they work. The water covers up the sound of the engine. Having them out of the way also makes moving things around in the basement easier.

A submersible pump is more likely to get clogged than a pedestal pump, but pedestal pumps last less time. These are the most common sump pump problems for which you should think about replacing the pump:

Noisy Sump Pump

If a pump makes noises, it could mean that parts are worn out or broken. If your sump pump is making a lot of noise, it might be because one of the bearings is worn out. If you hear rattling or grinding noises coming from the bottom of the pump, it could be because the impeller is stuck or broken.

Too Much Shaking When Running

If hard debris gets sucked into an improperly installed pump, it could bend or break the impellers. Instead of moving things forward, like a propeller, an impeller pulls things in. For minor wear on the impellers, the shafts on which they turn are balanced.

If one of these parts isn't strong enough, it can put too much stress on the shaft. The wobbling of the pump makes a lot of noise and could be a sign of future problems. You have to buy a new impeller because it's almost impossible to fix it properly and run the sump pump.

If The Pump Is Rarely Used

Sump pumps and car batteries both wear out over time if used a lot. The internal parts of the sump pump will work better if it is tested frequently when it is raining hard.

Most of the time, a switch problem makes sump pumps run all the time to ensure a proper basement waterproofing system. The float is one of the essential parts of an electric switch. It would help if you had both a switch and a float arm for most sump pumps. Switch problems can happen when the pump inside the basin moves, the float stops working well, or the switch loses its power source.

Even when it's raining hard, if your sump pump keeps turning on and off, there's probably something wrong with the clogged pump. If the pump turns on when there are only a few inches of water in the basin, it could be because the float switch is not set upright.

 If the wiring is wrong, the discharge pipe may turn on and off randomly. If something is wrong with the electrical circuit and there is a power outage, the pump will start and stop at strange times.

The Sump Pump Being Used For A Longtime

Your pump might not be able to pump the amount of water you want it to or go the distance you want it to. When figuring out what size pump you need, you have to think about many different things.

Frequent Power Outages

Most sump pumps are connected to your house's electrical system using a direct wiring configuration. Power surges can harm sump pump components, resulting in pump failure. If your sump pump takes a long time to remove water from the sump, you may not have enough horsepower to handle the volume of water or the complexity of the pipe arrangement through which the water must be forced.

Because of the amount of water in the pipes and the number of elbows, it is necessary to use sump pumps with more extensive horsepower ratings to transport the water. It does not matter how old your pump is; if it has an abnormally long run time, this is a sign that it lacks sufficient electrical power. You'll need a new one that's strong enough to handle the situation.

Rusty Pipe

A Sump Pump Damaged by Rusting

A rusty sump pump signifies that it is time for a new one. You'll notice that your water pump will have to work harder to push water through the pipes as the rust-like substance clogs them up, and it will eventually stop working altogether if you don't get rid of the rust.

Rust or red-tinted microorganisms known as "iron bacteria" can produce this rust-like material. This necessitates the immediate installation of a new pump to get the new sump pump running properly.

Tips On Maintenance Of Sump Pumps

Keep in mind that sump pumps come in various models, so check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended servicing and maintenance regimens. Though SSPMA generally advises the following frequency of sump pump maintenance:

It may be necessary to clean the sump pump screen or inlet opening regularly if your washing machine drains into the sump pump. We also recommend that the pump be unplugged before cleaning but that it be reconnected once the cleaning is complete.

Sump pump screens or inlet openings can be cleaned every three to four months if your sump pump does not remove washing machine water from the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Once a year, take out the sump pump and give it a good cleaning.

The Factors Which Effect Longevity of A Sump Pump

Installing A Sump Pump Of The Wrong Size

 Sump pumps don't come in one size that fits all. Our Basement Sump and Pump team doesn't have to work hard to figure out which pump is best for your basement. For example, if only a tiny amount of water gets into a basement, a smaller pump might be enough.

 To put it another way, a basement that doesn't have enough room for a big enough pump might not be able to get rid of the water properly. This could cause water to overflow and cause damage to the basement and check valve.

 On the other hand, a pump that is too small for your basement may have to work harder, shortening its life. In either case, a knowledgeable waterproofing expert will be able to tell you which pump is best for your basement and help you install a new sump pump altogether.

Installation Not Done Right

Your waterproofing system can't work without a sump pump that fits well and is safe. If the person who put in your sump pump didn't know what they were doing, didn't have enough experience, or just made a mistake, you may find that it's running itself to death, or the battery backup is damaged.

Everything can go wrong, from a bad motor to a misaligned or disconnected float switch to a pipe connection that isn't quite right to a pump that is set up wrong and gets clogged with concrete or other foreign matter from the basement floor.

 That doesn't even consider the many problems that could happen if the installation was done by someone without enough experience. If your pump isn't set up right, it could end up hurting itself over time, which would make it last less long.

Not Doing Proper Maintenance

If you don't take care of your sump pump, it won't last as long as it should. This will ensure that your waterproofing system lasts as long as possible and that your sump pump stays healthy and works at its best as long as it is serviced regularly.

Sump pumps often go wrong without being noticed. If you don't pay close attention to your pump and know how to recognize the signs of a broken pump, you might not notice when it stops working.

Because the weather is dry in the summer, property owners often don't notice problems with their pumps until it starts to rain, making them worse. Or, your pump may seem to work, but the float switch may be broken, so it can't turn off. This could damage the motor or make things worse.

Call 704 Plumber For The Plumbing Services At Charlotte, NC Area

We in 704 Plumber have provided the best sump pump installation, maintenance, and plumbing services. Our services are available 24/7, and you can call us at any time for your requirements.

We provide a wide variety of services, including drain cleaning, faucet repair, installation, sewer line services, etc. Our service area includes Concord, Matthews, Rock Hill, and other parts of the NC area.

Call us at (704)313-8982

Our Dispatch Office Location: 201 McCullough Dr. Charlotte, NC 28262

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