The check
- Make sure the pump is plugged in.
- Pour water into the pit till the float rises.
- Watch the pump begin and empty the pit.
- Check the check valve stops backflow.
- Look outside: is water discharging away from the house?
- Test the backup pump and alarm.
Warning signs
- Pump hums but does not pump
- Pump runs constantly
- Strange noises
- Rust or corrosion
What to clean while you are there
Unplug the pump and lift it out if you can. Clear sand, gravel and debris from the bottom of the pit, and clean the screen on the pump intake. Make sure the float swings freely, clear of the power cord. Put the pump back level, plug it in and test again.
If the pump struggles or trips a breaker, stop and call; a seized motor can overheat.
Walk outside while the pump runs. Water should leave the discharge pipe in a steady stream and run away from the house, not pool by the foundation or freeze into an ice dam at the outlet in early spring. Splash blocks and an extension of a few metres keep that water from cycling straight back to the weeping tile.
Related
See sump pump installation, battery backups and flood prevention.
Keep-handy checklist
- Pull the pop-up stopper and clear the hair every couple of months
- Pour a pail into the sump pit before the thaw and watch it cycle
- Close the inside valve for the hose bib before the first frost
- Keep fat in a tin, not down the kitchen sink
Your questions, answered plainly
What is the working life of a sump pump?
Often seven to ten years.