Home Improvement Skills & Specialties Plumbing

Sump Pump Maintenance: 7 Steps to Prevent Water Damage

Exposed sump pump with water pouring in from PVC pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

In This Article

Sump pumps are critical in keeping water out of your home during heavy rains and flooding. Proper sump pump maintenance is essential to keep your pump working and prevent your basement from being flooded. Luckily, sump pump maintenance is simple, and most pumps only require a check-in once a year.

A sump pump rids your home of groundwater intrusion regularly. Groundwater coming towards the house is captured by permeable rock-filled drains, and that same water is diverted to the sump pit, where the pump sends it back outside.

Locating your sump pump, understanding its operations, and above all, knowing how to maintain it, are all vital to keeping your house in top shape and preventing water damage, as well as mold and mildew.

Below, learn how to maintain your sump pump properly with our best tips.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is an electric water pump that moves water from a home’s basement to the exterior. The pump is located in a lined hole called a sump pit. When the water level reaches a certain height, the sump pump automatically turns on and expels the water. When the water level drops far enough, the pump turns off.

Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

Locate your sump pump in the crawlspace or basement sump pump. Before you begin your check, make sure the sump pump is upright and that its float ball moves freely.

Also, confirm that the pump itself is functioning. To do so, you should check the electrical connection. Check the GFCI outlet and the circuit breaker regularly since the pump can't work without those.

  1. Test the Pump 

    Test the sump pump once per year, especially before heavy storms. The best way to test is to pour water into the sump pit. You will need to pour a generous amount to cause the pump to turn on. After the pump activates, stick around to verify that the water is discharged.

  2. Unplug and Clean 

    First, unplug the sump pump, making sure it is disconnected from any power source. Make sure you have a flashlight or adequate light, then clean out the basin, inlet screen, and other parts with a mixture of 1:1: vinegar and water. You may have to scrape the sludge and grime away to get it fully clean.

    Warning

    Before beginning maintenance or repairs on your sump pump, ensure that the power is off and/or disconnect the machine from power. If the power must be on or connected while you're working on it, take precautions.

    Blue bucket pouring water into sump pump

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Check for Corrosion and Faulty Parts

    Because of frequent exposure to water and bacteria, make sure that the parts of the sump pump have not begun to corrode or rust. Pay careful attention to the areas around the battery, the float switch, and the inlet screen. If you see any components of your sump pump that look particularly worn, be sure to replace them.

    Sump pump examined if standing upright before filled with water

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Lubricate Bearings

    Lubricate the bearings during your annual maintenance routine if you have unsealed bearings. Your manufacturer’s recommendations should indicate whether or not this needs to be done.

  5. Check the Discharge Area 

    Make sure that the pipe is flowing freely, and clean out the discharge pipe if needed. The sump pump's job is to divert water away from your house, and the discharge for the water should be at least 20 feet from the home to keep it from pooling around your foundation and causing foundation damage.

  6. Install Battery Backup (Optional)

    Look into installing a battery backup for your sump pump, particularly if you live in an area prone to heavy rain and storms or have frequent power outages. You can test to make sure your battery is working by unplugging the pump.

  7. Re-Test the Pump 

    After you're done with your maintenance, reconnect all parts, check for power, and the discharge pipe, then test the pump to make sure it's working again. Pour water into the pump, hitting the automatic float switch, to ensure it’s working properly and doing its important job.

Common Sump Pump Problems and Solutions

Sump Pump Does Not Turn On

If your sump pump is not turning on at all, then the water level may be too low to trigger operations. Or you might have a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker on the service panel.

Check the pump by pouring in water to see if that triggers the pump to work, or try checking the electrical connection. If neither of those work, then pull out the pump and make sure that the inlet valve is not clogged with debris.

Sump Pump Does Not Shut Off

If your sump pump will not shut off, check to see that the float switch on the pump is working properly. If not, replace the switch. Look at the discharge pipe and clear any obstructions. Also, a sump pump that constantly runs might be undersized for the job. Stepping up to a higher-level pump with greater discharge is the only solution.

Sump Pump Starts and Stops Too Frequently

An undersized sump pump might be the problem if your sump pump starts and stops too frequently. But often, the solution is simply that the discharge pipe might have an obstruction that causes backflow. Thus, water that tries to discharge is prevented from doing so. The water runs backward, filling the sump pit, and causing the sump pump to start up again.

When to Replace a Sump Pump

  • Average life expectancy: Some experts say that sump pumps should be replaced every 10 years, working or not.
  • Faulty motor: This is usually a difficult fix and may be more expensive than replacing the entire sump pump.
  • No longer pumping water: If the sump pump is not pumping water anymore, then it's time to install a new sump pump.
  • Odor and rust: If your cleaning turns up an aging, smelly, rusty sump pump, then it may be time to look into a new model, particularly if you're past the typically three-to-five-year warranty window.
  • Volume: If your sump pump is making extreme noise and there is no easy way to repair the sump pump, then it's time to replace it with a newer, quieter model.
FAQ
  • How often do sump pumps need to be serviced?

    Sump pumps should be serviced at least once a year. A professional inspection at this time is also recommended.

  • What is the life expectancy of a sump pump?

    Experts typically recommend replacing a sump pump once every 10 years, even if it's still working.

  • Can I dump water in my sump pump?

    You can dump water in your sump pump to test it. However, do not introduce large volumes of water. This can shorten the life expectancy of your sump pump.