There are many reasons why you need to change your sump pump.

Your sump pump has a critical job to do. During times of heavy rain, it pumps excess groundwater away from your home to stop it from getting into your basement, crawlspace, and foundation walls.

But because it has such a hard, important job to do, it doesn’t last forever.

Like most things, sump pumps have a lifespan, and it pays to know when yours is reaching the end so you can avoid finding out the hard way that it’s no longer doing its job.

Read on to learn why you need to change your sump pump, and the must-know signs that it’s on its way out.

It’s Old

Remember: everything has a lifespan. Your sump pump won’t last forever. In fact, most have a lifespan of around a decade.

With that being said, several things can affect how long your sump pump will provide you with reliable service.

The quality of it can see it fail long before that ten-year mark.

Your electrical source, how often you’ve had to use it, and the distance it has to carry your water to discharge it, can also dictate its lifespan.

When you install a new sump pump, take note of the date and year of installation.

You can then have a rough idea of when you need to start paying closer attention to its functioning.

It Lost Power

In a heavy rainstorm, it’s not uncommon for a sump pump to lose power. In saying that, other things can cause it to lose power, as well.

Your pump may have blown a fuse, was unplugged, or your battery backup has run out of power.

It’s Noisy

You will never find a sump pump that doesn’t make any noise at all – unless, of course, it has already stopped working.

But, typically, some noises can be red flags that you need to change your sump pump.
If you notice any strange sounds like gurgling, rattling, thuds, bangs, or grinding, then there may be a problem with your sump pump’s motor.

Fortunately, if you notice these signs early enough and act on them, you may be able to replace or repair the motor, rather than the entire unit.

There’s No Water in the Sump Pit

Your basement drainage system works with your pump to divert water to your sump pit.
If you notice that the pump is working, but there’s no water in the pit, something is wrong.

The two most common causes of this problem are that it’s not installed correctly, or someone hasn’t hooked it up properly to your drainage system.

Don’t delay in seeking a plumber’s help. Your sump pump needs to operate correctly at all times to prevent flooding and water damage to your home.

The Pump and Switches are Clogged

As you go about your daily business, you probably don’t spare too much thought for your sump pump. It works away in the background and stops water from making its way into your basement.

But out of curiosity’s sake, take a look at it and see if it has a lid. If it doesn’t, then you may need to change your sump pump at some point soon.

A sump pump without a lid can mean that contaminants like dirt are getting into it, causing it to slow down and eventually stop working. The sooner you invest in an airtight lid, the better it will be for your pump’s health and longevity.

Clogs can also be caused by dirt and debris in the sump pit, a jammed or tangled switch, dirty parts, or a jammed float switch.

If you’ve noticed that something isn’t quite right, and you haven’t had a lid on your sump pump, call in the experts. A replacement might be on the cards in the near future.

It’s Running Too Much

Most people get to know their sump pump’s habits. You know how much it runs during times of heavy rain and when there isn’t much rain at all.

But if you’ve noticed that it now operates continuously or far more than it used to, then you might have to consider changing your sump pump in the near future.

Several things can cause your sump pump to go into overdrive, including a stuck switch, a broken or missing check valve, the wrong sized pump for your pit, or continuous flooding.

You can look for a stuck pump switch by checking if it has become clogged or tangled. This problem tends to occur more frequently in lower-end models.

A wrong-sized pump can cause it to run continuously to keep up with the water flow, or if it’s too powerful, it fills up too fast.

You can also identify a broken or missing check valve by seeing if water is flowing towards your pit instead of outside your home.

Flooding is, of course, one of the most obvious reasons for a sump pump to operate continuously.

A high water table or underground spring may also require you to raise the sump pump, install a second one, or upgrade to a larger one.

How to Test Your Sump Pump

You can call in plumbers right away to make sure your sump pump is working at its best. Otherwise, you can test it yourself to see if you might need to replace or repair it.

Unplug the pump, then plug it back in.

Unplug both the motor and float switch before plugging in the cord that runs into your pump.
If the pump doesn’t fire up right away, you might need to replace or repair it. If it does, reconnect the other plug.

You can also test your sump pump by watching it pump water. Fill your sump pit enough for the sump pump float to rise and your pump to kick in.

If the pump doesn’t activate as you get nearer to the top of the pit, then something might be wrong with the switch.

If it does start, the water level should lower until there’s nearly no water left in the pit.

Summary

And there you have it folks: 6 must-know telling signs when you know it’s time to change your sump pump. When your sump pump fails, you’ll be a victim of unwanted water damage. If you need help and need more information about all things water damage related, contact 911 Water Damage Experts at 1-833-WE-DRY-IT or message us in realtime on our Facebook fan page.