Sump Pump Issues

Sump pumps are designed to limit the impact moisture can have on certain parts of your basement. Instead of allowing moisture to settle in the ground around your property, sump pumps force unwanted moisture out of your home courtesy of an electrical charge. In turn, that water gets stored in a containment unit out in your lawn and released over time, lowering your chances for long-term damage. 

Most waterproofing solutions, however, are just as prone to damage as the rest of your home. If you don’t invest in regular maintenance, you may have to conduct more comprehensive repairs later down the line. 

Such is the case for the sump pump in your basement. If you don’t work with area professionals to make sure it’s up to snuff, then you may find yourself contending with the kind of seepage, flooding, or water damage that you haven’t seen in years. 

It’s easier to recover from this kind of damage than you might think, though. If you believe something may have gone wrong with your sump pump, reach out to the professionals serving Cleveland, Ohio, to schedule your home inspection. 

Signs of Sump Pump Damage 

Sump pump damage is a little complex. If your sump pump does take on damage, you’ll start to see the old flooding and seepage that you saw before your initial investment. However, there may also be signs of damage in and around your pump that points to trouble.  

The following symptoms can indicate sump pump damage in your basement: 

• Unpleasant smells throughout your basement 

• Cracks near the joints, walls, and frames throughout your home 
• Standing or pooling water near your carpeting 
• Bowing walls 
• Mold 
• Moisture in or around your sump pump 

• Standing water around your drains specifically 
• Standing water around the perimeter of your home 

The Forces Behind Sump Pump Damage 

There are a few different forces that can make it difficult for your sump pump. Some of the most influential include: 

Age 

No matter how well you maintain your sump pump, it’s going to age. The inner workings can wear out, lines can break, and the interior can grow inhospitable. In these cases, you may have no other force to blame for your pump’s failure than the pump itself. 

Repairing a pump that’s damaged due to age can be a tricky endeavor, though. You’ll want to determine, with a professional’s help, whether you want to replace the part of your pump that’s been damaged or if it’s a better idea to replace the pump entirely. 

Hydrostatic Pressure 

Age isn’t the only force to have a monumental impact on the effectiveness of your sump pump. Hydrostatic pressure can force not only your basement but your pump to suffer from structural damage if the force goes unchecked. 

Hydrostatic pressure causes the molecules of the concrete and other materials supporting your home to change size. As these molecules grow colder, they’ll shrink. As they warm back up again, they’ll grow. Changes of this kind aren’t a problem when they happen infrequently. If they start to happen too often, however, they can put your home under a significant amount of stress. The more stress your structural supports are under, the more likely they are to crack and let additional moisture into your home. 

Your sump pump is designed to combat hydrostatic pressure. However, long-term exposure to high levels of moisture without some kind of backup can cause your sump pump to start to take on wear and tear to the point where it may break. 

Pests 

Animals and insects alike can have a negative impact on the structural integrity of your home, not to mention the state of your sump pump. Mammals can destabilize a sump pump’s drainage system around the perimeter of your home, making it more difficult for you to drive water away from your property. Insects can eat away at your pump’s support as well as the structural supports surrounding your basement. This means that more moisture may be able to make its way inside to overwhelm your pump. 

Unfortunately, the professional contractors who can repair your sump pump cannot exterminate or otherwise remove these invaders from your home. Instead, you’ll want to reach out to animal control or local exterminators before investing in your sump pump repairs. 

Poor Home Construction 

There is always a chance that the construction team that originally built your home may have made a few mistakes when building your basement. Things like the clay bowl effect or poorly sourced wooden supports can put a damper on your home’s structural integrity, allowing more moisture inside to impact the effectiveness of your sump pump. 

Repairing A Damaged Sump Pump 

It’s never a good idea to try and repair a damaged sump pump or a damaged basement on your own. Instead, the professionals serving Cleveland, Ohio, can do that work for you. When you call in the professionals, you can walk alongside them as they go through the steps of first inspecting and then repairing any damage that your sump pump has suffered from. These steps include: 

• Checking the sump float 

• Cleaning the sump pit 
• Testing the check valve 
• Cleaning the impeller 
• Checking the power source 

Regardless of what’s gone wrong with your sump pump, professionals can address your troubles in one of two ways. If your sump pump is under warranty, professionals may have the opportunity to reach out to the manufacturer and secure a part that’s been damaged. They can also opt to have the manufacturer replace your sump pump entirely. However, if your pump is out of warranty, area professionals can work with the manufacturers that they’re connected with to bring in a replacement part. 

Sump Pump Accessories 

These pumps cannot cover the whole of your basement without help, as they’re designed for localized care. That said, there are several sump pump accessories that can make it easier for you to control the flow of water in and out of your home. These include: 

• Alarms – If your pump fails during a storm or flood, then attached alarms will go off and let you know you’re in need of repairs. 
• Sump Liners – Sump pump liners help keep the inner workings of your sump pump secure. 
• Airtight Lids – An airtight sump pump prevents any debris that the pump catches from making its way throughout the rest of your home. 

• Sump Stands – Sump pump stands separate your pump from its liner. 
• FreezeGuard Discharge Line Protections – Line protections prevent your sump pump’s inner workings from freezing during the winter. You’ll be able to continue disposing of unwanted moisture even if your pump’s internal lines get blocked if you have FreezeGuard accessories in place. 

Installing a Backup Sump Pump 

There are ways to get around sump pump damage and failures. One of the best ways is to install a backup sump pump. There will come a day, sometime down the line, when the power goes out in your home just as your basement starts to flood. On that day, you’ll want to make sure you have the means in place to prevent the worst of your home’s potential moisture damage. 

This is where battery backup sump pumps come into play. These backups will keep your sump pump running until your power comes back on, driving up to 40 gallons of water from your home per second per usual. Battery backup sump pumps do more than keep your sump pump operational, though. These pumps will also alert you if your sump pump should start to fail. A backup sump pump can alert you if your primary pump has failed due to a power outage or due to a broken part. While you’re looking for a replacement part or getting in touch with area contractors, you can rest easy knowing that your battery backup sump pump is keeping any basement flooding at bay. 

Most professionals serving Cleveland, Ohio, can install a battery backup sump point at the same time they install a traditional sump pump in your basement. The process, which you should not try on your own, usually involves the following steps: 

• Attach the unit to the wall 
• Connect the appropriate cables to their terminals 

• Plug the pump in 
• Test your pump’s compatibility 

Sump Pump Issues

FAQs

Can I repair my own sump pump? 

We strongly advise against DIY repairs due to the complexity of sump pump units. These efforts could result in higher repair costs and further damage. If you notice issues with your sump pump, contact Ohio Basement Systems for professional assistance. 

What signs give away sump pump damage? 

If your sump pump is damaged, you’ll notice condensation or water around the sump pump, standing water in your basement or around your home’s perimeter, increased humidity, and unpleasant odors. A properly functioning sump pump is crucial in maintaining a safe and dry home. Contact Ohio Basement Systems for a free inspection if you suspect your sump pump is not working. 

Why Do I Need a Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are home waterproofing measures designed to limit the impact moisture can have on your home. Do you actually need a sump pump, or can you live without one? When you live in an area like Cleveland, Ohio, these pumps are more than just home accessories. They’re essential protection measures designed to preserve the structural integrity of your home. 

Sump Pumps and Your Basement 

Waterproofing your home is always a good idea. Sump pumps are only one form of home waterproofing, so what are their benefits? More often than not, you can rely on a sump pump to protect a particular part of your basement from unwanted moisture. These pumps specialize in forcing standing or rushing water out of your home and back out into your yard. 

Cousins to the interior drain, sump pumps rely on an electrical charge to get their work done. They’re not ideal for comprehensive coverage throughout your basement, as they’re designed to care for certain sections of your home. However, that care is comprehensive in its own right, as they deliberately remove water from your basement with a force that interior drains don’t have. In short, sump pumps are ideal additions in homes that have seen substantial but concentrated seepage over the years. 

Additional Sump Pump Benefits 

The benefits of a sump pump don’t stop with the pump itself. Most sump pumps come equipped with a myriad of accessories. All of these accessories are meant to help you control the moisture level in your home. This means that over the months and years after your installation, you’ll have a better chance of both protecting your basement from damage and protecting your wallet from unexpected repair costs. 

Some of the most common accessories to come with sump pumps include but are not limited to: 

• Alarms to alert you if your pump fails 
• Sump liners to limit the amount of moisture that can impact your pump’s internal workings 
• Airtight lids to prevent the moisture a sump pump collects from evaporating and impacting the rest of your home 
• Sump stands to eliminate the impact that any captured debris can have on your sump pump’s inner workings 
• FreezeGuard discharge lines protection to prevent moisture from freezing in your sump pump during Ohio’s cold winters 

If you want to add accessories to your sump pump at installation or after essential repairs, you can discuss your options with the professional contractors in your area. 

Area Professionals Can Repair Your Sump Pump 

You don’t have to let hydrostatic pressure wreak havoc on your home. If your sump pump is showing signs of wear and tear, reach out to the professionals serving Cleveland, Ohio, today. After a comprehensive inspection of your home, professionals can give you a free quote on the repairs you’ll need to get your sump pump back into working order.