Regular testing of your sump pump is crucial in order to keep your home safe. The best way to test a sump pump is by using water. If you don’t live near the ocean, it’s possible that the only thing available for testing might be rainwater from a bucket or sink.
Reasons To Test Your Sump Pump
If you live in a region where basements or common, heavy rainfall can cause flooding below your home. Flooding can also occur in your backyard, or sideyard making it difficult to access your property.
It’s critical to protect your property against flooding, and installing a sump pump and a backup system is a cost-effective method to do it. However, for those who already have a sump pump and backup as the first line of defense, it’s critical to double-check that everything is in functioning order before it’s too late.
Signs A Sump Pump Needs Repair Or Replacement
Sump pumps are just like any other machine and need maintenance or eventual replacement as they wear out. Watch for these signs that your sump pump needs to be repaired or replaced:
- Your sump pump is more than 10 years old.
- You notice water pooled around your sump pump.
- Your sump pump turns on more frequently than it used to.
- The float switch isn’t working properly, causing the sump to not draw water.
How to Inspect a Sump Pump
Here are a few pointers to help you determine whether or not your sump pump is operational.
- Find the exterior pipe that collects the water that runs from the pump. Make sure there’s no dirt or debris obstructing the drain on the inside.
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water or a big pot with water. Slowly pour the water into the sump pit, keeping an eye on the water level.
- The sump’s float should rise, and the pump should activate long before the water reaches the pit’s top. The system should be turned off when the pit empties.
- If the float does not rise or the pump does not switch on/off automatically, the pump should be checked further.
- Although it may seem obvious, make sure the pump is hooked into a functional outlet. Electrical outlets in basements may sometimes trip due to moist conditions.
- Every two to three months, repeat these instructions!
What Happens If There Is No Power?
It’s also worth noting that sump pumps are powered by electricity.
Your pump will not operate if the power goes out, so consider adding a battery-powered backup system. When there is a power outage, this will activate – a fully charged backup system may last up to seven hours. Adding a battery-powered backup system to your system is like adding additional insurance. In the event of a power outage, having a backup is always a smart idea! A water backup system is also an option. We install both types of sump pump backups and would gladly assist you in determining which is ideal for your house.
Install a Sump Pump in Your Home
If you don’t have a sump pump and are weary of cleaning up water and propping up your basement goods to avoid water damage — not to mention the mold and excess humidity issues that come with it — you should consider installing one.
Contact a plumber right now to help preserve your house and possessions. One is often available seven days a week, with no additional price for evening or weekend appointments.
The “how to test a sump pump with a multimeter” is a helpful article that will help you determine if your sump pump is working or not.
A sump pump can be attached to a pipe or a rubber hose. You can learn more about different types of pipes in Different Types of Pipes – Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you check if a sump pump is working?
A: There are a few ways to check if your sump pump is working. You can first consider the sound it makes when you turn on the water, which should be fairly easy for anyone living in a house with one. Alternatively, there may be an indicator light or two that will tell you what’s going on-these lights might indicate whether or not something has been plugged into the power outlet and turned off (in this case), but they also could simply mean everything is working properly.
What is the best way to test a sump pump?
A: You should plug the sump pump into a power outlet that is not connected to any other outlets, and then run water from a nearby sink. If you have an electrician’s multimeter, you can test for electrical faults in the wire by connecting one probe of your multimeter to each side of the two wires coming out of the bottom terminals on either end of the pump (the black-and-white hot and neutral).
How do you manually test a sump pump?
A: There are two ways to manually test a sump pump. The first way is to float the handle of the pump up and down in the water which will allow you to know if it is working properly or not. The second way is to run your hand over a section of tubing that leads into the main drain pipe, around 1 foot below the floor where pipes meet while watching for bubbles coming out from under your palm.
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Here’s an example of a quality sump pump service company in Doylestown PA.