Why Isn’t My Sump Pump Working?

A sump pump can malfunction for many reasons and leave your crawl space with no drainage system. Floods and humidity await any foundation in Iowa or Missouri that doesn’t have a sump pump. As soon as you notice that something isn’t right with your sump pump, contact your local experts. Pairing emergency help with annual maintenance in the future can ensure your sump pumps stay in greater condition for longer. 

Seasonal Problems 

Some of the biggest reasons sump pumps fail has to do with season-specific factors. For example, during the fall, the sump pump can get clogged with debris. During the winter, the water in the discharge line could freeze and clog the water’s only means of escape. Discharge line freezing actually can be fixed with a line protection system, which allows the water to escape even when the discharge line is frozen. 

Other seasonal problems you have to watch out for would be springtime rain and floods. Because of power outages and heavy flooding, sump pumps get overwhelmed during storms. They malfunction, and you only realize after your crawl space is already flooded. The sump pumps we offer here at Foundation Recovery Systems come with an optional battery backup for such occasions. It even comes with an alarm that warns you of when the backup kicks in, so you are always informed of what goes on in your foundation. 

Technical Problems 

If you’ve inherited your sump pump from a previous owner, then it’s possible that you have an old, poorly made sump pump. Sump pumps are complex machines with many moving parts. If one of them is damaged, cheap, or incapable of handling the moisture in a crawl space, then the sump pump will malfunction more frequently. If your sump pump is constantly failing you, then it might be time to consider getting a new one. 

It’s important that you do not attempt to repair the sump pump yourself. As mentioned, sump pumps are complex machines. Unlike a toilet, a sump pump is an electrical device, so it’s not as easy to fix. A professional can provide you with top-of-the-line repair solutions, so contact your local experts if your sump pump is broken.