What are the main reasons of sump pump failures? Most sump pumps break down because people don’t know how to use them properly or they don’t maintain them on a regular basis. There are several reasons why your sump pump can break down, but you should always know how to fix them and when to call a professional. Follow this simple guide and you will know what the main causes of a sump pump failure are, so read on!
Power Outages
If you live in an area prone to power outages, like a lot of people in New England do, it’s important to invest in a reliable backup system. It can be as simple as a battery-powered backup sump pump (which are super affordable these days), or you can even buy an automatic float switch that automatically turns on your sump pump if your power goes out for some reason. They start at around $25 and run up to around $150 depending on how fancy they are.
Storms & Flooding
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where flooding isn’t much of a concern, then consider yourself one of those folks who doesn’t need to worry about proper sizing when it comes to choosing your pumps. But before you jump into buying any model just because it seems right at first glance, think about how bad flooding is where you live and what sort of storms come through frequently. For example, many parts of North Carolina only have light rain each year — but flash floods could easily flood basements and make backups happen within minutes during strong storms!
If you live in an area that has frequent major storms that end up overflowing sump pumps, then you’re going to want a larger-sized pump. Most experts recommend 1/3 or 1⁄2 horsepower pumps for single family homes in these areas.
Installation Issues
Other installation issues can also lead to failures with your sump pump, including no check valve or improper backflow prevention device. This is another reason why it’s so important to hire professionals for installation if at all possible.
How to Avoid Sump Pump Failures?
In order to prevent sump pump failures, it is essential to understand why a sump pump fails. There are many reasons for a sump pump failure. The most common reason is that a homeowner forgets to check and empty their sump pit on a regular basis. This will cause problems with your sump pump since it cannot empty all of your water in one session. Therefore, you should ensure that you check your pit regularly in order to avoid clogging issues with your sump pump.
You should also make sure that you have chosen a quality product when installing your system since quality products tend to be more efficient than low-end models. However, not all sump pumps can handle adverse weather conditions. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow or rain every year, then we recommend choosing a backup generator as well as additional drainage outside of your home. That way if something goes wrong with your pump during winter storm season then you’ll still have another option available to get rid of excess water from inside your home. These are just some quick tips on how to avoid sump pump failures at home!