This is the prime time of the year for rain showers in Iowa! Make sure your sump pump is in working order before you have a major problem on your hands. If your sump pump is over 5 years old, you may want to replace it. Here are several other reasons why you may need to replace your pump. Be prepared this spring and keep your basement dry so you can have peace of mind.

1. Your sump pump has failed.

If your sump pump has already failed, it’s time to act quickly. Sump pumps typically don’t last more than 10 years. Many experts recommend replacing your pump every 5 years and replacing the switch and float every couple of years.

2. Your system wasn’t installed properly.

If your sump pump wasn’t installed exactly to the manufacturer’s specifications, you could end up with major issues on your hands. There are several scenarios that people often run into when their system is not installed properly, such as water damage or your system’s inability to pump water effectively.

3. You haven’t kept up on regular maintenance over the years.

There are several things you can check regularly to make sure your pump is operating smoothly. If you never do maintenance checks, your system could fail you sooner than you would like, and the chances of running into avoidable problems will increase.

4. Your sump pump is the wrong size.

If your pump is the wrong size, it will likely get worn out faster than it would if it were sized properly for your space. If it’s too large, it’ll automatically work harder than it needs to and wear out quicker. It too small, it might not be able to keep up with the water coming in and you could end up with water damage and your pump failing prematurely.

5. The switch is malfunctioning.

One of the biggest problems people run into with their sump pump is when the switch isn’t working properly. A sump pump is reliant upon its float arm and switch to work properly. If either of these mechanisms isn’t working effectively, then your pump won’t either. The float allows the on/off switch to perform its job, so if the float stops working, so will the sump pump’s ability to turn on and off when it needs to.

6. The discharge lines are clogged or have gone bad.

The discharge line does just what its name suggests; it discharges water from your home to outside away from your house. If this line is clogged with debris or frozen (which commonly happens during the winter) water can’t exit the home.

We recommend you replace your pump every 5 years.

Battery backup system and backup pump

It’s very important to install a battery backup if you don’t already have one. The main reason you have a sump pump is to keep water out of your basement when the rain comes down. Since lightning typically accompanies rain showers, it’s not unlikely that your electricity will go out at some point during a storm. And if your sump pump stops working during a rainstorm, then what’s the point of having one? Your basement might flood anyways.

The answer to this problem is to install a battery backup so you don’t have to worry about your pump turning off suddenly during the heart of a bad storm.

Contact Cyclone Contracting to put in touch with a Blue Angel Battery Backup System or Sump Pump, if yours needs to be replaced. If your sump pump or any other plumbing fixture in your home needs to be repaired, serviced, installed, or replaced, we’re here to help!