What To Do If Your Sump Pump Stops Working

Many homes have sump pumps installed, as it is designed to help keep your basement from flooding. Sump pumps work by removing excess water that builds up around your home’s foundation. This can be extremely helpful during heavy rains and storms, or if you live on a lake, pond, or other marshy area and still have a basement.

However, if your sump pump stops working it can cause significant water damage to your basement and foundation. If you’ve noticed dampness in your basement or signs of water damage, give us a call so our restoration team can help!

When Disaster Strikes

If your sump pump stops working, there are a few things you want to do immediately to get it working properly again until you can get a professional out to ensure it doesn’t need to be replaced.

1. Start By Checking The Power

Sump pumps typically fail during storms when the power goes out or if a fuse is blown. If that isn’t the case, ensure the pump is still properly plugged in and receiving power.

2. Check The Float Switch

The float switch is a vital part of your sump pump that activates it when water reaches a certain level. If the float switch is stuck or jammed, it can keep the pump from turning on. 

You can check this by gently moving the float up and down to see if it triggers the pump to turn on. Be sure to check for any debris that could be obstructing the float’s movement.

3. Make Sure The Discharge Pipe Is Clear

The discharge pipe is responsible for carrying water away from the sump pump. If it has become blocked, it will cause the water to back up to the pump and stop it from working.

4. Test The Check Valve

This valve prevents water from flowing back into the sump pit after the pump has shut off. If the valve is installed incorrectly it can get stuck open and malfunction, making your sump pump constantly cycle for no reason.

Can’t Fix The Sump Pump Yourself?

If the issue with your sump pump isn’t immediately obvious or you aren’t confident you can fix it on your own, here are a few tips to get through the emergency.

Emergency Measures

If there is an immediate threat of flooding, use a portable pump or even a bucket to manually remove water from your sump pit. It’s a temporary solution you can take until the pump begins working again.

Contact A Professional

Once the storm or flooding danger has passed, contact a professional plumber or sump pump technician to check your pump. They can determine if your pump needs to be replaced or serviced and provide regular maintenance to make sure it doesn’t fail in the future.

After A Flood: We’re Here To Help

Having your sump pump fail and send water into your basement can create a terrible mess and flooding. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! 

We use the latest technology to confirm the source of your water damage and work quickly to remove water from your home and address any secondary damage like mold or structural issues.

Our services include water damage cleanup, fire damage restoration, mold restoration, storm damage repair, and other necessary restoration services.