While water is essential for your home, it can be a bane when it collects in the basement. A sump pump effectively solves this problem by removing water to outside the residence. You’ll want to keep your sump pump operating effectively, so it’s crucial to know when it needs maintenance. Let’s look at a few telltale signs indicating your equipment needs tender loving care from a plumber.

Your Equipment Has Aged

These devices have an average life expectancy of about 10 years, and you will want to monitor a unit as it gets closer to a decade of service. Routine maintenance can help it achieve this milestone but often doesn’t help the sump pump extend far beyond it.

Your Sump Pump Is Rarely Needed

It’s nice if you usually avoid water accumulation, but that also means the pump sits idle for long periods. Still, regular inspections will verify everything is in working order before a flooded basement confirms otherwise.

You Sump Pump Will Not Turn On

If your equipment is not activating with water in the basement, it might be a stuck float switch. A plumber can identify problematic parts like this before they cause an issue. Routine maintenance will also discover loose brackets that might cause your sump pump to remain inactive with water in the pit.

The Pump Is Always Running

Your sump pump will run as long as it gets instructed to do so. If your unit runs continuously, it can wear the pump out prematurely. A jammed float switch when the pit is low or empty will cause this. Maintenance can also address a faulty check valve that allows water to flow back into the pit area, forcing the pump to stay on.

Abnormal Sounds Draw Your Attention

You may have heard a low hum when your sump pump is working, which is normal. Banging, clanging, gurgling, or any variation in that humming is probably a sign it’s time for maintenance. These noises often signal issues such as the following:

• Clogs
• Faulty impeller
• Loose pipes
• Stuck valves

Your Pump Is Suddenly Tripping Circuit Breakers

If your equipment starts tripping breakers when it turns on, there is a circuit overload occurring. Damaged or loose wiring, faulty switches, or other electrical issues can be identified and addressed during maintenance.

Turn to the Experts for Sump Pump Assistance

A sump pump’s location makes it easy to forget, so remind yourself to peek in on it weekly. These signs will help guide maintenance and keep your unit operating properly. In the end, timely upkeep will save your home from water damage and your bank account from costly repairs. That is why you should contact All Drain Plumbing if you need sump pump maintenance anywhere in or near Dayton, OH.