After winter ends, spring is welcome with open arms. Most any homeowner also welcomes a sump pump coming back into use for the warmer months. But, what happens if your sump pump fails to do its job and your basement ends up with a messy flood? Before you rush to replace the pump, you can do a few simple things to troubleshoot the situation. Remember before attempting any sump pump repair always be sure to unplug the unit. Do this before doing anything including inspecting it up close. You want to remember that sump pumps operate on electrical voltage, usually 115 AC volts.

Maintenance is Key. Before describing the many ways to troubleshoot the pump, keep in mind that the best way to avoid problems in the first place is through proper maintenance. It takes about 10 minutes to check the unit prior to its seasonal operation, so there is no reason not to follow through with a regular inspection every two or three months. It could save you time, trouble and money later on.
Check to be sure there is no debris in the basin or the screens. If you can, protect it by covering it to keep leaves and other items from falling in. Check the GFI and the cable to see that they are intact and not showing any signs of damage. Do a quick water test of the pump and make sure the float switch is operational. Even if you do perform regular maintenance, problems can happen. Here are common problems and how to troubleshoot them.

If your pump Stops Running this could be as simple as the sump pump not receiving enough power from the outlet. Make sure it is working, and if at all possible do not use an extension cord. If you must, be sure it is made of heavy enough gauge to serve the power properly to the pump. See if the float ball is stuck. Remove whatever is in its way and reposition it. This should solve the problem. If not, make sure the water level is high enough. If the impeller is jammed, remove the screen and any debris. Another cause of the pump stopping could be the float switch is defective. Pull the plug from the switch and plug it directly into the GFI outlet. If it works, you need to replace the float switch. A really bad pump will not run even after trying all of the above troubleshooting. However, if the pump has been left on too long it may have shut off because of thermal overload. Unplug it, wait a while and then plug it in again. It should return to normal operation.

If the pump runs all the time make sure to plug the piggyback plug into the back of the float switch and plug the entire thing into the outlet together, not separately. This can solve this problem. If they are plugged in together, make sure nothing is stopping the float switch in the pit. Remove any obstructions. If the pump is blowing fuses when in operation, you can fix the issue by separating the pump plug from the switch plug. Water has entered the cord or the float switch connector. Dry them out using a hair dryer. The impeller could be jammed, too. Be sure to remove any debris from the screen and the bottom of the pump. If this is not the issue, make sure the float switch is in good shape. A bad float switch could be the cause of blown fuses.

If you maintain your sump pump regularly and have gone through all troubleshooting with no luck, contact your local plumbing company. They can help you replace or repair the unit.