Once you have successfully installed a new sump pump, the best thing you can do next is to test that it’s actually working. I know it’s common sense to do so, but a lot of people actually neglect this step. This tends to result in their basement being flooded out. So, in this article, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about how to test a sump pump properly to make sure it is working correctly.
Keep in mind that this step could eventually end up saving you thousands of dollars in flood damage.
What Does a Sump Pump Do?
A sump pump helps to prevent ground water from getting into the basement or crawl space. It does a superb job when it comes to moving excess ground water away from your foundations.
If your pump stops working, water can enter your basement and foundation walls, which could result in mold and mildew. If enough water find its way in, the basement could flood.
How to Know if Your Sump Pump is Working?
Here’s how to check if your sump pump is working correctly.
- The first thing you should do is unplug the pump’s power, then plug it back in. If you look closely at the outlet that your sump pump is plugged into, you will actually see two separate plugs. Both plugs play separate roles as one is for the float switch, while the other is for the motor. You should unplug both of them, and then only plug in the one that is going to the pump. Once the plug is plugged in, your pump should start working right away. If that’s not the case, then your pump may need to be repaired or even replaced. If the pump starts to work immediately, all you need to do is reconnect the other plug and you’re good to go.
- Another effective way you can test your sump pump is by running water through it. It’s best to fill your pump pit with enough water to cause the float to raise until the pump kicks on. If you are filling the pit and the water level gets near to the top of the pit, but somehow the pump doesn’t activate, then it might mean you have a bad switch. If the pump does activate, it will lower the water level in the pit, which will result in almost all the water being removed.
- If you don’t have the option to add water to the pump, you can simply lift the float arm up and check to see if the pump turns on. This isn’t the most effective method, though, since it won’t confirm that the water will actually be pumped out. If you decide to test the pump without adding any water, make sure not to let it run for more than a few seconds, as otherwise this can result in damage to the pump.
By carrying out these tests, you may well end up saving yourself from thousands of dollars worth of damage to your basement. Sump pumps tend to last for a very long time, but that lifespan has a lot to do with how often they’re run and how clean the water is that flow throughs them. If you have a older pump or there’s lots of debris in your existing sump pump pit, the best idea would be for you to test it regularly. If you don’t currently have a backup sump pump, then we highly recommend getting one before the existing one stop working.