Causes of Sump Pump Failure in Sioux Falls

With spring on its way, it’s time to start preparing your home for all those April showers.

One of the best ways to guard against basement flooding in Sioux Falls is by making sure your sump pump is working properly. Sump pumps automatically push water away from your home, so they’re crucial for preventing water damage and health problems from pooling in your home.

(Not sure if your house even has a sump pump? Find out here!)

Sump pumps are pretty reliable, but like any device, they can break down now and then. Here are the four primary causes of sump pump failure — and how to avoid them in the first place.

1. You Experienced a Power Outage

Because sump pumps run on electricity, power outages are the most common cause of sump pump failure.

If your sump pump has stopped working, it’s probably because you recently experienced an electrical outage due to severe weather or equipment damage.

To avoid this, consider keeping a backup generator on hand, so you can manually activate your sump pump in case of an emergency.

2. Your Sump Pump Is the Wrong Size

Not all sump pumps are created equal.

If your sump pump is too small or too large, it won’t operate at full efficiency. When a sump pump is over- or underworked, its lifespan will be drastically shortened.

Make sure you have the right size and type of sump pump for your basement or crawl space. If you’re not sure what sump pump is right for your home, this buying guide from The Home Depot can help.

3. The Discharge Pipe Is Frozen or Clogged

All that water your sump pump is pushing out has to go somewhere, right?

If the discharge pipe on your sump pump is frozen or filled with debris, the water will have nowhere to go — so it’ll just reverse its course. That’s where many instances of house flooding in Sioux Falls begin.

To prevent your discharge pipe from freezing, you can add a protective cover or grate.

4. Your Sump Pump Was Installed Incorrectly

Even if your sump pump was installed by a professional, sometimes things can slip through the cracks.

Here are a few common sump pump installation problems:

  • The check valve on the discharge pipe was not installed. Without a check valve, the pump will sound like it’s running, but it won’t actually be pumping water.
  • The sump pump was set in dirt or gravel. A pipe clogged with debris can interfere with the float alarm and/or cause damage or flooding.
  • The discharge line did not have the correct diameter. To release pressure from the discharge pipe, most pumps should be installed with a small air-relief hole.

Read More Tips on Sump Pumps in Sioux Falls

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At INTEK, we consider ourselves something of experts on the topic of sump pumps.

To learn more about sump pumps and water damage restoration in Sioux Falls, check out some of our useful guides:

If you have any questions about sump pumps or need a second opinion on your own water damage in Sioux Falls, please let us know!

Watch a Video About Water Damage Restoration

Photo credit:www.homejobsbymom.com