Sump Pump
Time to Dump That Sump Pump?
A sump pump is your home’s last line of defense against flood damage. That makes it one of the most important pieces of plumbing equipment in your home.
Obviously, nobody likes waking up to a basement full of water. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, a sump pump can be a godsend. But what happens when your trusty ol’ pump stops working? When it’s time for a replacement, it’s important to know what you’re getting into, cost-wise.
If your sump pump has been damaged or fallen into disrepair, your Home Comfort Heroes at Service Legends can help. We can repair, maintain or replace and install any sump pump on the market, and most repairs take just one visit to your home to complete.
Did You Know?
Des Moines residents can save on a new sump pump system installation (only new installs). Called the “Private Property Protection” program.
The City will reimburse 100% of the cost to property owners who meet the program requirements. The maximum subsidy amount is $1,500. The reimbursement will be paid to the property owner.
Repair vs. Replace
A good sump pump should last you 5 to 10 years, however, a sump pump is not running all the time. This makes it important that you are checking in on the sump pump’s functionality on a regular basis. To help you with this, we have listed 6 ways for you to easily identify potential issues, preventing your sump pump from failing before the next big storm.
Excessive Vibrations From Sump Pump
Along with taking in water, sump pumps can also suck up hard debris. This will eventually cause damage to the impeller. An impeller is a fan at the bottom of the pump that is drawing water into the pump. Impellers are designed to minimize the wear and tear on the shaft they spin on. But if you have a damaged impeller, that opens the shaft up to break down. This tension will also create problems for your sump pump in the future – not to mention the impeller is almost impossible to bend back. The safest thing to do once this happens is to replace your sump pump unit.
Your Sump Pump Is Rusty
If your sump pump is showing signs of rust, or brown coloring, it could be due to bacteria known as Iron Ochre. This will not cause an immediate issue, but as the rust feeds off the iron in the water, it can cause water discoloration and evolve into a gel-like substance that will clog your discharge line. It is not a hazard to our health but can affect your drainage system.
Infrequent Usage
If your sump pump is infrequently used, this will shorten the life of your sump pump. If you want to extend the life of the pump, testing it on a regular basis while it is not raining will help keep it in tip-top shape. Not only does this extend the life of the pump, but it allows you to fix any problems by the time the next rainfall hits. If you just purchased your home, contact Service Legends who can test the unit for you.
Making Strange Noises
If your sump pump is making strange noises, that could be a sign your pump is running on damaged or worn-out parts. Rattling noises most likely mean a jammed or damaged impeller. If you are hearing strange noises from your sump pump, make sure to call Service Legends for professional help immediately. Do not wait for the next rainfall when it is too late for your sump pump!
Your Sump Pump Is Running All of the Time
The biggest cause of a continuously running sump pump is a switch problem. The float is primarily in charge of the on/off switch working smoothly. Switch issues can occur when the pump shifts inside the basin, and the float becomes ineffective. The other issue occurs when a switch loses connection with its power source.
Switches that are tethered often drift to the side of the pump and are more likely to hang up on your sump basin. Vertical floats (with plastic brackets) will break often, and the vibrations from a pump that has not been properly installed may push any float switch against the side of the sump pump basin.
If your sump pump is running constantly for no apparent reason, there is a high probability that your pump has not enough capacity to handle the amount of water required, and you will want to consider replacing your unit with a higher-powered unit.
Cycling Irregularly
If you have found that your sump pump is irregularly going on and off, even when it is raining heavily, there are a few things that could be wrong. These are two popular reasons:
– An incorrectly adjusted float switch causes the pump to come on even when there is barely any water accumulated in the basin.
– There could be a short in the electrical system of your house or of the sump pump itself.
If you happen to have any of the above issues or have any concerns with your sump pump, be sure to contact us today.
Our Guarantees
You won’t find another plumber in Des Moines that offers the same warranty and guarantee protections as we do. Give us a call today and see why thousands of homeowners rate Service Legends, a 5-star service company!
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not 100% satisfied with the service we have provided, we will make it right or refund all of your money.
Fixed Right Or It’s Free Guarantee
When we come to your home to diagnose your plumbing repair, we guarantee it will be accurate or else the diagnostic is on us.
StraightForward Pricing
We’ll always give you an exact price before moving forward with any services. No add-on charges, hidden charges, surcharges, or ‘oops, I forgot to add this on’ charges! If we perform work without giving you a straightforward price, the work is on us.
Equipment Guarantee
We guarantee that the sump pump we have installed in your home will perform as we have stated. If the sump pump fails during normal use in the first year, we will either repair or replace the sump pump at no charge to you.
Professional Technician
If any of our staff swears, uses tobacco on your property or is not friendly, the service is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether your sump pump keeps running for a long time or isn’t turning on at all, our sump pump team at Service Legends can identify the likely causes and fix them.
Is it worth it to replace my sump pump?
If you’re wondering whether your home even needs a sump pump, consider whether you’ve struggled with flooding issues in the past. If your house is in a flood-prone area, your yard has poor drainage, or you’ve dealt with any other water problems, then it’s likely well worth it to replace your old sump pump with a new one.
How long do sump pumps normally last?
Most sump pumps have a lifespan of 10 years. If you’re unsure of how old your pump is (but you suspect it may be on its last legs), have Service Legends inspect and clean the pump.
Will my pump work if the power is out?
Most sump pumps require electrical power to operate. There are devices with a Battery Backup Unit which will operate a secondary pump using battery power. This is helpful for homes that frequently lose power or have high water.
Can I use a sump pump with an extension cord?
We strongly recommend that you do NOT use an extension cord. It is better to plug the pump into a dedicated outlet that is fed by a circuit breaker or fuse that feeds power only to that outlet. This ensures that the pump will receive proper voltage. If there is no outlet near the sump pit, we recommend you have one installed by a professional electrician.
Is it okay to drain my water softener or laundry water into my sump basin?
It is NOT recommended to drain laundry or water softeners into a sump basin. The chemicals and debris from these appliances can cause damage to the pump, decreasing the life of it. The discharged water may also cause a buildup of debris on the float switch, causing it to work improperly. Sump pumps are designed to be used with clear, clean groundwater.
What’s a check valve and do I need one?
Yes. A check valve is a one-way valve. It is installed in the discharge pipe of your sump pump. When the pump runs, the water is forced out through the pipe and valve. When the pump stops running, the water will not be able to flow by gravity back into the basin, staying above the check valve. This prevents the pump from having to re-pump the water, increasing the life of the pump.