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The sump pump, which is the sole savior of your basement, is not built to be at your service for lifelong. Though it can hold its ground for some years, your conscious efforts can extend the lifespan to accompany you for more time. What exactly can you do to save your sump pump from premature death?
Here is a quick look at the tips you need to remember to extend the life of your sump pump:
- Cleaning the sump pump
- Testing the pump
- Checking the discharging route
- Examining the drainage pipes
- Making sure that it stands upright
- Checking the float switch
- Inspecting the power source
- Replacing the battery of the backup pump
- By being cautious
Table of Contents
How To Extend The Life Of Your Sump Pump
While we don’t like to talk about it, money is a huge issue. Not everyone can afford to replace a pump with a new one. If you follow a few sump pump tips, you can give your pump the extra oomph it needs to survive through the relentless beating.
Clean the pump
This step is a crucial one. Once a year and after a heavy storm, you have to make sure that it is cleaned inside-out. Therefore, you have to disconnect it from the power supply, detach the discharge lines, and remove the pump from the sump pit.
Then use a garden hose to rinse off any debris from the sump basin. Clean the buildups from all the parts of the pump, including the check valve and the inlet screen. If you want to know in detail check our guide on how to clean the sump pump.
Test the pump
Immediately after installing it or a few months after continuous usage, it is important to test the pump. For that, you have to pour about 5 gallons of water into the sump basin, assuring that the float switch does not collapse. You will see that the switch triggers and starts the mechanism as soon as the water level rises.
If things do not go as expected, then your product is not in good health. As a result, it is better to be aware of its condition before something tragic happens.
Check the discharge route
The line that drains water from the basement should be discharged into the yard, away from your house. As some discharge pipes of old pumps might be connected to the sewer line of your place, you have to recheck and redirect the route before something terrible happens.
Examine the drainage pipe
No matter how overloaded you are with your work, do make sure that the drainage pipes are clean enough and flawlessly connected. Remove debris and clogs to allow a continuous flow of water. This inspection will let you know if there is any leakage so that you can immediately fix it.
Make it upright
The appliance has to be installed in a vertical position; otherwise, the float switch might be out of kilter and prevent your device from activating at the required time.
Check the float switch
It is a vital component of your pump. You have to inspect it after every few weeks because if it gets overheated, it may cause a fire.
Inspect the source of power
Due to dampness or a sudden power surge, the ground fault circuit interrupter may shut down. All you have to do is reset the GFCI and make it work again. However, you may forget to plug it in-so, do keep it in mind.
Replace the battery backup
If you are using a backup pump and it fails to start when there is a power outage, remove the backup and observe whether it turns on after pouring water into the pit. After a careful inspection, you can decide to replace the battery backup to extend the life of your primary pump.
Be Cautious
You should always be cautious and frequently visit your basement to see if there are any loose connections, accumulation of debris, rust, or any missing parts. Therefore, you won’t have to face any unexpected situation and waste the whole day dealing with it.
Sump Pump Types and Lifespan
As now you are familiar with the steps, having some knowledge of the sump pump will be advantageous for you. Therefore, we will give you a brief description of the different sump pump types and how long each can hold up before drawing their final breath. The four types of sump pumps are the Submersible Sump Pump, Pedestal Sump Pump, Water-Powered Sump Pump, and Battery Backup System Sump Pump. It is essential to know the types as their life expectancy depends on factors that determine the differences among them.
Each appliance has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. It depends on the size, capacity, and usage. If the pump is small but has to withdraw a large volume of water, it might fail at a point. Excessive basement waterproofing for an endless time reduces the lastingness or wears it out. You have to be always cautious about your product as simple ignorance can cost lives. Sump pumps do catch fire. To avoid this hazardous incident, you have to make sure that the machine is not overworked or aged, the electrical components are not low-quality, and the extension cord is of perfect length.
Signs You Need Sump Pump Replacement
Year after year, you can try your best to keep your basement’s old companion alive for a long time, but, at some point, replacing it becomes the only option. At a certain time, as it fails to run anymore, it starts giving signs.
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- Making unexpected noises
- Running continuously
- Working without any water in the pit
- Not turning on when necessary
These signs indicate permanent damage to the pump. It is quite normal if it runs relentlessly for 2 to 3 days after heavy rain but turning on during a dry season is abnormal. Additionally, disturbing loud noises, inappropriate running cycles are serious issues. Fixing these can be troublesome, and even after a lot of effort, a pump doesn’t always get back to its former glory. Therefore, a new one should be brought home.
Final Thoughts
A sump pump is a considerable investment, and no one wants to keep shelling out such a huge some every now and then. So, take out the maximum potency from your pump, you should follow the tips mentioned here. You should properly take care of your own pump and ensure routine maintenance. If you have the power to keep the sump pump alive for an extra month or day- why not put some conscious effort, right?
