In particularly rainy times of year, one sump pump is not enough to handle a lot of water all at once. The pump may not have enough power to deal with the amount of water entering the area at one time. The quality of the pump also is a factor as to how well it can work.

If you think your sump pump is not effective enough to keep your basement dry, consider an upgrade to a better-quality pump or add a second pump to your basement.

If you have a sump pump without a lid, the pump can get dirty and clog over time. The dirt buildup can prevent the pump from working as effectively, or the pump can stop altogether.

A sump pump can clog in different ways. In addition to clogs in the sump pit, the mechanical components can become dirty if the pump sits in a dirty pit where buildup accumulates. The float switch can also clog or stick. If you have lesser quality sump pump, the switch can jam as well and sometimes leaves the pump on continuously.

If this happens, you should have an inspection to see if the pump can be repaired or if you need a replacement. You should also consider a cover for your sump pump to keep the debris out.  

If you are away from your house and the pump loses power for any reason, your basement becomes prone to flooding if you get a lot of rain at one time. When you have a major storm with a power outage, chances are your basement can also take on a lot of water.

A circuit breaker can also trip at any time, which will prevent the sump pump from switching on. You should check your sump pump for power on occasion to ensure the pump will turn on when you need it. You also may want to invest in a battery backup system in the event the pump loses power. An alarm on your sump pump can also notify you of a loss of power.

A sump pump should never run continuously. If this happens, there is an issue you need dealt with as soon as possible. If the pump stays on all the time, the motor will wear out and stop working completely. A sump pump can run continually for several reasons.

The sump pump or the liner may not be large enough to handle the water volume at one time, which leaves it to run all the time until the water is gone. Your pump may be the correct size, but the sump pit is too small. The sump pit can fill quickly and trigger the pump to work more often.

You may also need to look at the check valve to ensure it is not broken or missing. The discharge line is pitched upward to move water away from the home to its exit point. The line then pitches downward to move the water outside your house. The check valve prevents the water from getting into the sump pit during the process. If the check valve does not work, the water will go back into the sump pit and overflow.

These are only a few issues you may have with a sump pump. For additional questions, please contact us at Roto-Rooter Plumbers.