Sump Pump Q&A

Sump pumps are responsible for pumping excess ground water from the basement or the crawl space to the outside of the home.  If you’ve ever had water back up into your basement or crawl space, you know how much damage can be done and what a huge clean-up job it is.  Because a sump pump is your best defense against protecting your home against major water damage you want to make sure it is running correctly at all times.

Below are some typical Questions and Answers about Sump Pumps

Who needs a sump pump?

Anyone who has a basement or crawl space that floods should have a sump pump.  A sump pump will keep water from causing damage to your home.

Is there a way I can check to see if my sump pump is working?

Yes.  You will need to remove the cover of the sump and slowly pour water into the sump tank.  Watch for the “float” to rise and make sure it triggers the pump.  Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump.  Should this not work you may have a problem.  If you cannot easily fix it you should contact a plumber. 

What size sump pump should I have for my home?

This is determined by what horsepower you need.  The horsepower requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected to the pump, the depth to the groundwater, the depth of the basement, and several other factors.  A 1/3 hp pump is standard for most houses. 

Do sump pumps have filters that need to be changed or cleaned?

No, they don’t have filters, but they do have screens or small openings where water enters the pump.  These can sometimes be plugged and need to be cleaned out.

Do I need to have a backup pump?

What are some things that can cause a sump pump to fail?

• Select the right size pump.  In this case bigger is not necessary better.  If the pump is too large it will cycle on and off more than it needs to, which can result in a shorter pump life.  If the pump is too small, it may not be able to pump the water out or it will run too long and too hot, shortening the life of the pump.  The installer of the pump should be able to size the pump based on the calculated amount of water needed to be pumped, (called capacity and indicated in gallons per minute) and the height and length of the water needed to be pumped. 
• Keep track of the age of the pump.  Write down the pump installation date on or near the pump so that it is easier to keep tabs on the age of the pump.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Development estimates the life expectancy of sump pumps at 10 years, however, the pump’s life expectancy will vary due to how much the pump has run in its lifetime.   
• Maintenance of the pump.  It is important to regularly check to make sure your sump pump is working.  You can do this by removing the cover and slowly pouring water into the sump tank.  Watch for the “float” to rise and trigger the pump.  Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump.  If the “float” merely needs to be repositioned, it is an easy fix.  If this is not the solution you may need to contact your plumber for further assistance. 
• Lightning or Power Surge Damage.  Some components of your sump pump are vulnerable to damage from power surges.  To help prevent this you can protect the entire electrical system from power surges with a service entrance (whole house) surge protection device.
• Electrical power outages.  It is not uncommon to have your electrical power go out during violent thunderstorms.  If your home is prone to water in the basement during rainstorms this is not good!  An answer to this problem is to use a back-up pump that does not need house power to work.
• Purchasing a good quality sump pump.  Look for a sump pump that is SSPMA (Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association) certified and/or ask your plumber.