Homeowner guide
Sump Pump Not Working? Signs, Causes and When to Replace It
Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit: it should start, empty the pit and stop. If it hums, runs nonstop, cycles constantly or is over about ten years old, have it checked before the next storm.
In Ontario the busiest times for sump pumps are the spring thaw and summer storms, which is exactly when a failure does the most damage. A five-minute test a couple of times a year catches most problems early.
Signs your pump is failing
- Humming without moving water
- Running constantly even in dry weather
- Starting and stopping every few seconds
- Loud grinding or rattling
- Rust, visible damage or a pump over about ten years old
- Water standing in the pit above the float
Common causes
- Stuck or tangled float switch
- Debris jamming the impeller
- Frozen or blocked discharge line in winter
- Missing or failed check valve letting water flow back
- Tripped breaker or power outage during a storm
- Pump too small for the volume entering the pit
Repair, replace or add a backup
A float, check valve or discharge fix is a repair. An old, noisy or burnt-out pump is a replacement. If storms in your area often knock out power, a battery backup pump is what keeps the basement dry when the main pump cannot run. Many Ontario municipalities offer flood-protection subsidies; check your city's program before work starts.
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