USA Plumbing & Sewer Inc provides the following services:

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Common Reasons to Need Sump Pump Service

As plumbers we’ve seen every problem that can occur with a sump pump. These are the most common issues for homeowners to run into:

  1. An Undersized or Outdated Sump Pump – Like anything else in your home, your sump pump will wear out over time. The motor in a sump pump is the most likely culprit of a sump pump that stops working or won’t turn on. Motors can burn out faster when the sump pump is working especially hard, which means that if your sump pump isn’t the right unit for your home, you’re more likely to have a sump pump failure. If you’re not sure which kind of sump pump is best for your area or your home’s needs, ask a local plumber for a recommendation. Similarly, if your sump pump is running constantly, it can cause the pump to fail much sooner than a sump pump that is turning on and off normally as needed.
  2. Constant Running – That brings us to another common problem with sump pumps. If your sump pump just keeps running, it likely has a stuck float or switch that is keeping the unit going when it should be off. If you truly have enough water in your sump pit that the unit needs to run constantly, that can signal another issue. So, if your sump pump won’t stop running, call a licensed lumber to come out and fix or replace your sump pump.
  3. Clogs – Sump pumps do dirty jobs, which makes them prone to getting clogged with junk. If debris is stopping up your sump pump float, switch, or intake, it can’t work properly. Remember, if the sump pump is sitting directly on the bottom of your sump pit, it is even more likely to get clogged, which makes it important to clean the unit off regularly. A simple water hose can do the trick to clean mud and other debris off your sump pump.
  4. Blocked Lines – Your sump pump will expel water out through discharge lines. However, lines that are blocked by sediment or ice will not allow water to flow out properly. A local plumber can inspect the discharge lines to ensure that water is able to drain out correctly and clean them out as needed to get water flowing again.
  5. Won’t Turn On – When a storm knocks out your power, it can also turn off your sump pump. While the pump should be able to operate again normally after power is regained, it may be needed in the meantime. You can install a battery backup to keep water pumping out during heavy storms even if you lose power. Sometimes, older units may need to be unplugged and plugged back in to get them wake back up after losing power, or manually tripped on and then allowed to turn off automatically. If you have recently lost power and now you’re experiencing issues with your sump pump, you may need to tinker a bit to override the issue.
Additional resources:
Sump Running Running All The Time
How to Clean a Sump Pump
Basement Flooding with a Sump Pump
Replacing your Sump Pump
Sump Pump Not Keeping Water Out
Can My Sump Pump be Fixed?
How Do i Take Care of My Sump Pump?
The Cost of a New Sump Pump
Who Does Plumbing for Sump Pumps?