Are you worried that the rainy season is coming and you don’t know whether your sump pump is working or not? Well, there’s nothing to worry about anymore. This article will teach you how to test sump pump. As a sump pump helps to remove the excess water from your basement, it’s understandable why it’s so important for your house.
That’s why, I’ve also added how to troubleshoot sump pump errors so that you know what to do in case you find any issues after testing your sump pump. So, what’s more to wait? Let’s dive in with everything you need to know.
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is synonymous with the word pit. Because it resides in the basement of your house. It’s one of the parts of a plumbing equipment.
Submersible and pedestal are two types of sump pumps. Where the submersible ones are used for large sump pits, the pedestal ones are for narrow sump pits.
What is a Sump Pump used for?
You’ll find people using sump pumps in their homes to avert groundwater from getting inside the basement. A sump pump can also prevent water from entering into crawl spaces of a house.
If a sump pump stops working, your basement will not only flood with water but also the foundation of your walls will be filled with water. Because all that excess groundwater from the foundation is removed by a sump pump.
So, as you can tell by now, whenever it’s raining or storms occur, a sump pump protects your home from water damage.
Why Testing Your Sump Pump Is Important?
It’s important to test the sump pump from time to time to avoid unwanted situations. So, every year, check on whether your sump pump is working or not at least five to six times. You can do that every two months.
However, make sure especially in Spring and Fall weather, that there’s nothing wrong with your house’s sump pump. Also, as sump pumps rely on electricity to run, if you ever have a power outage in your area, do not forget to test the sump pump.
See Also: How to Find a Frozen Pipe: Expert Tips and Techniques
Simple Ways to Test If The Sump Pump is Working:
After knowing the importance of checking your sump pump, you must be wondering, how to check the sump pump, right? Well, here’s how you need to do it:
Test One:
Your sump pump is plugged into a port that has two cords. On the one hand, there’s a float switch and on the other hand, there’s a motor switch.
Simply unplug these two cords and after waiting for a few minutes plug them both in again. If the sump pump turns on immediately, then it’s completely fine. If not, then your sump pump needs repairing.
Test Two:
A sump pump is used to remove excess water, so to test it, pour water into the sump pit to raise the float so that the pump starts working.
If you pour water, two scenarios can happen. One is, that even after pouring water, the pump doesn’t start, which means there’s something wrong with the switch.
The second is, the pump is activated but the water level isn’t going down. It can mean maybe an internal part such as the intake pump is somehow damaged. In that case, you need to call (4163031432) in a professional.
Test Three:
If you can’t pour water, then look for the float valve. Lift the float, if your sump pump turns on, you’re good to go. If not, repairing is needed.
Related: Sump Pump Repair & Installation In Toronto & GTA
How to Troubleshoot the Problems Of Sump Pump:
In case you find out after testing your sump pump that there’s any problem with it. You can easily troubleshoot almost every problem. The way to do that is given below:
Keep the exterior drain pipe clean:
In most cases, a sump pump stops working because the drain pipe is filled with debris, dirt, plants or leaves. Because water goes out with the help of the drain pipe.
Without a drain pipe, the water has nowhere to go. So, always keep the exterior drain pipe clean so that water can be drained away.
Reset your sump pump:
As sump pumps work without any breaks, because of over usage, it sometimes stop working.
So if you observe that the sump pump is not working, reset it by unplugging the whole system for a while. After waiting for an hour, plug the system in, and your sump pump will start working without any issues.
Always check on the power connection:
Whereas you’re looking for what’s wrong with your sump pump, you might neglect that the problem lies within the power connection.
So, always check whether the connection is stable or not. This will stop any internal damage from happening to the cords of the sump pump.
Replace the check valve:
Close to the sump pump, a check valve should be installed near the water discharge line. Because it stops the water from being re-pumped after discharging.
If you hear water filling your sump pump right after a pump cycle, you need to replace the check valve immediately.
FAQs
How often do I need to test my sump pump?
You can check your sump pump five to six times a year. But checking before spring and fall is a must.
How many years does a sump pump last?
A sump pump can last from seven to ten years easily.
Can I test my sump pump without water?
Yes, you can test the sump pump without water by unplugging it or lifting the valve.
Is there any need to keep a backup sump pump?
If it’s been more than five years since you bought your sump pump, then it’s smart to keep a backup.
What type of sump pump should I choose?
As sump pumps made of cast iron are stronger, but the iron ones rather than thermoplastic.
Conclusion of How To Test Sump Pump
I’m sure now you have a clear idea about how to test sump pump.
Now, before spring or fall or anytime, you need your sump pump to work at its best, you can check it by following the easy steps I mentioned.
If this article helps you find the answer you were looking for, please leave a comment.