Spring is right around the corner here in the Fox Cities, which means it’s a good time to talk about sump pumps. As another cold Wisconsin winter starts to fade, we’re getting more calls from local homeowners regarding these forgotten but oh-so-important fixtures. Here in Menasha, we still have snow on the ground but as it melts, sump pumps start getting overworked and failing. So today, we want to take a look at some of the most common sump pump problems to watch out for and how to deal with them.
Some of the most common reasons sump pumps fail here in Northeast Wisconsin include:
- Overwhelmed pump
- Frozen or clogged discharge line
- Sump pump lost power.
- The pump is constantly running
We’ll break these down in a little more detail and provide some proactive measures and possible solutions to prevent issues with your sump pump.
Your sump pump is overwhelmed
This tends to happen a lot in the spring here in Wisconsin as temperatures rise and all that snow begins to melt or heavy rains hit. It only takes one good storm or a few days of consistent melting for your sump pump to get behind.
No one wants a wet and soggy basement, so we recommend a high-quality sump pump and a battery backup system to keep things dry and operating smoothly.
Your discharge lines are frozen or clogged
For your sump pump to operate properly, the discharge lines need to be cleared so the pump can expel water. It’s easy for those discharge lines to become clogged with debris and pests or freeze up during the cold Wisconsin winters.
One of the best ways to prevent issues with the discharge line is to consistently keep an eye on it to make sure it’s clear of any debris. Adding insulation around the pump and keeping the water running consistently can help prevent pipes from freezing.
Your sump pump lost power
Your sump pump can lose power in a number of different ways. A storm can knock out the power lines, it can accidentally get unplugged, a breaker can get tripped. Whenever your sump pump loses power, you are at a higher risk of potential flooding or other issues. While oftentimes it’s a quick fix to restore power, that is easier said than done for Fox Cities homeowners who head south for the winter months, go up north for the weekend, and aren’t heading down to the basement to check the pump frequently. It could be days or even weeks before we notice an issue.
As noted above, a high-capacity, a battery-operated backup sump pump is a good investment, especially here in Wisconsin. There are even alarms available to give you a heads up when power has been lost. If you’re going to be gone from home for an extended period, be sure to check the sump pump before you leave and have your housesitter check on it in your absence as well.
Your sump pump is continuously running
You don’t want your sump pump to be running non-stop, especially when the weather isn’t bad. Constantly-running pumps can quickly overheat and burn out. Usually, it’s a sign of a more serious problem, such as:
- The sump pump isn’t the right size.
- Jammed or tangled switches
- Drainage or plumbing issues
- Missing or broken check valve
- And more!
If you’re unable to figure out why your sump pump keeps running, your best bet is to call a professional, like us. We can diagnose the problem and get you the right sump pump for the job.
Overall, spring is right around the corner, and now is a great time to have a professional Fox Cities plumber take a look! We’re always here to help with 24/7 emergency service, same-day replacements, and removal/disposal of your old sump pump. Let our sump pump experts at Watters Plumbing know how we can be of service!
Call Watters Plumbing now to handle your leaky repairs. Easy call, fast fix.
Read More: