There are a few measures you can take to know for sure if your sump pump is working or not. The first thing you will want to check is that your exterior drain pipe is free of any debris by ensuring that it’s directing the water away from your foundation. Secondly, check the power and see if you can hear the motor running. Lastly, pour a bucket of water into the pit to trigger the pump’s automatic start which should drain quickly once the pump is triggered. If the pump doesn’t start and/or doesn’t empty, call Sila to have a professional plumber further investigate the problem.

Sump pumps typically fail because they are overworked. If your basement floods for example, a single sump pump (especially an older one) may become overworked and unable to adequately handle such a high level of water. This is why it is vital to always have yearly maintenance done by a certified plumber at Sila to make sure your sump pump is in the best condition that it can possibly be in and thus much less likely to fail.

The most important thing you can do to make sure your sump pump doesn’t fail is to always have a plumbing expert at Sila perform the proper maintenance at least once a year. Another measure you can take to ensure your sump pump doesn’t fail prematurely is if you notice your pump isn’t working correctly, have a Sila plumber come out and address the issue right away.

While there are ways for the homeowner to test their sump pump, it can be a complex process and is best practice to have a trusted plumbing expert at Sila complete the test.

Common reasons for a sump pump to fail include improper installation, plugging your sump pump into a low-voltage extension cord that supplies low voltage, incorrect sizing, and mishandling. When it comes to installing, handling, and maintaining, it’s always best to have a certified plumber at Sila tend to these issues to ensure your sump pump doesn’t fail unnecessarily.