Troubleshooting Problems With Your Sump Pump
There is simply nothing good that can come from a sump pump that is not working properly. After all, not only will a broken sump pump fail to remove flood waters from your home, but it may actually cause your home to flood if the sump pit is allowed to overflow. Consequently, if you are experiencing problems with your sump pump, it is important to address these issues as quickly as possible.
Taking the time to review the information outlined below can help you to accomplish this task by allowing you to troubleshoot several common problems with your sump pump.
Pump Won't Turn On
If your sump pump simply will not turn on, you may be experiencing an electrical issue rather than a mechanical issue. In order to get your sump pump back up and running, begin by checking both your main fuse box and the dedicated fuse box located on the wall near your sump pump.
Be sure that the each circuit is in the "on" position and that there are no signs of a burnt fuse. If any of the circuits have been tripped, simply restore them to the proper position in order to restore power to your sump pump. If you are unable to restore power using this troubleshooting technique, you will need to contact a repair contractor to test and possibly replace the motor in your sump pump.
Will Not Discharge Water
If your sump pump is actively running, but will not discharge water from your home, you may be dealing with a frozen discharge pipe. In order to correct this problem and restore the flow of water out of your home, try placing a space heater near your discharge pipe in order to begin the thawing process. While it may be tempting to apply heat directly to the pipe, thawing the pipe to quickly may cause it to crack, so be patient and allow the pipe to thaw at a natural pace.
Once you have successfully defrosted your frozen discharge pipe, you will need to apply insulation to the outside of this pipe in order to prevent it from freezing again in the future. While there are many different types of insulation that you can use, spray foam insulation will often be the easiest to install as it will quickly adhere to the pipe's surface and expand to insulate the area surrounding your pipe in its entirety.
A Final Thought
Even if your sump pump problems will inevitably require the assistance of a professional repair contractor, your ability to react appropriately in the moments following a system failure can make a world of difference when it comes to protecting your home from serious water damage. For more help, contact a company like Frank Niesen Company if you have any questions or concerns.