Wet weather is typical of Chelsea, Michigan, and the surrounding area. On average, the city gets nearly 35 inches of rain each year and about 40 inches of snow during the winter.
With so much moisture, many local homeowners rely on their sump pumps to prevent flooding in basements and crawl spaces, but challenges do arise. Do you know how to tell if a sump pump is failing?
As Chelsea’s top-rated plumbing company, Dynamic Drains explains why a home needs a functional sump pump and how to know if it isn’t doing its job.
Reasons Your Chelsea Basement Might Be Suffering Sump Pump Failure
It’s important to regularly maintain your sump pump, though some problems may still develop between these visits. Various issues may impact the device’s performance, despite your efforts to keep it running well. If so, your Chelsea home will be more at risk for issues like flooding from an overflowing sump pit, structural damage, or even mold growth due to excess moisture.
Besides regularly inspecting and cleaning this equipment, you should also know how to tell if a sump pump is failing. The quicker a professional can uncover damage, inefficiencies, or electrical problems, the more effectively professional sump pump repairs or replacements in Chelsea can protect your property.
So, what causes sump pumps to fail? Here are the top reasons.
Sump Pump Not Running
Sump pumps for Chelsea basements and crawl spaces need a reliable source of electricity to work effectively. If the machine doesn’t turn on, it could be:
- A recent power outage.
- A dead battery.
- Faulty electrical wiring or loose connections.
- A tripped circuit breaker.
A tangled float switch could also prevent your sump pump from turning on. The float switch triggers the pump to draw water from the sump basin. If the line tangles or gets stuck in one position, it may not work correctly.
Unusual Noises From the Sump Pump
When your sump pump clicks on, the only noise you should hear if you’re near the device is a soft humming. Any louder or different type of noise indicates a sump pump repair problem.
For example, the trouble could stem from multiple components, including the motor and the impeller. You might need professional sump pump repairs or a device replacement.
Sump Pump Runs for Too Long
Frequent pump activation might seem like a good way to keep your house dry, but this is one of the top signs for how to tell if a sump pump is failing.
Sometimes, it rains too much around your Chelsea neighborhood. Soil oversaturation or exterior flooding could cause the sump basin to stay full of water, constantly triggering the sump pump to turn on. It’s also possible that your float switch position is too low, which keeps the pump in an unnecessary cycle.
In either of the cases above, the lowest level of your home is at risk for flooding. When a sump pit stays too full, it becomes harder for the pump to disperse the excess moisture away from the building, resulting in an overflowing sump pit. Unnecessary cycling, perhaps due to incorrect float switch placement, also causes the device to wear prematurely.
Dry Sump Pit
If an overly full sump pit is a problem, it’s reasonable to assume that a dry basin is better. Unfortunately, that’s inaccurate.
When your sump pit runs dry but the pump keeps turning on, it’s time to call a local Chelsea plumbing professional for repairs. This type of problem can indicate improper sump pump installation or failure to hook the device up to the drainage system.
Excessive Sump Pump Vibrations
Excessive vibrations are another way to know that something is wrong with your sump pump. Sometimes, the sump pump impeller sucks water and debris into the device and its discharge line.
Hard debris can bend the impeller blades, causing the pump to shake hard and make a lot of noise.
Get Sump Pump Repair Now Before Chelsea's Next Rainy Season
Knowing how to tell if a sump pump is failing and what to do during a plumbing emergency can help you prevent water damage and save on property repairs. Why not count on our licensed professionals to quickly resolve any sump pump issues in Chelsea, MI? Though we tailor our comprehensive services to accommodate each client’s unique plumbing needs, we never cut corners.
Experience our hassle-free sump pump repairs today; call 734-215-5811 to request an appointment with Dynamic Drains.