When water gathers inside your house—whether due to heavy rainfall or a burst pipe—the only thing standing between your home and a flooded basement is a sump pump. Unfortunately, these mechanisms are just as vulnerable to malfunctions as your other systems and appliances. Here are just a few of the most common problems you might encounter with a sump pump.

3 Common Sump Pump Issues

1. Malfunctioning Float Switch

When water flows into your sump pump, it fills up the basin, causing a small sphere called a “float ball” to rise. When it reaches a certain height, the ball triggers the float switch, which turns on the sump pump. If debris gets caught around the float ball, holding it down, or if an electrical problem prevents the float switch from doing its job, your sump pump won’t turn on and extract water from the basement.

2. Improper Size

Just like water heaters and HVAC units, you’ll need to ensure that your sump pump is the right size for your household needs. If your property is prone to flooding, a smaller sump pump might not be able to handle the sudden influx of water. At this point, water will enter the basin at a faster rate than the pump can extract it, leaving your basement flooded. While a bigger pump may be a simple fix, you might need multiple models to meet your needs. 

3. Frozen Discharge Pipe

Once the sump pump sucks up water, it pumps it out to a discharge pipe, which carries the liquid away from your property. Since this pipe runs outdoors, it is vulnerable to blockages, whether from leaves, rocks, or twigs. During the colder months, the discharge pipe may be blocked by ice. In this case, the water won’t be able to escape your home and will head back into the sump pump basin.

If you’re hoping to avoid these sump pump hassles, turn to Gary's Pump Service of Danbury, CT, for help. For over 40 years, they’ve been supplying area residents with essential services for water wells, water treatment systems, and sump pumps. As a locally owned and operated team, you can trust them to tend to your property’s unique needs with tact and efficiency. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website or call (203) 744-7826 to request a free estimate.