Your home's sump pump is the last line of defense between your basement and expensive and destructive water damage. If your sump pump fails, you may find yourself with a flooded basement, damaged belongings, and rampant mold growth – which can be a serious health concern. Fortunately, there are a few early warning signs that you can watch out for to determine when your sump pump has begun to fail so that you can replace it before it completely stops working.

Odd Noises

One of the most common signs associated with a sump pump that is no longer working properly is a series of odd noises that come with operation. Any sort of grinding, screeching, banging or otherwise irregular sounds coming from your pump can point to a mechanical problem: getting a plumber to check this problem out can help you determine whether it's a simple replacement part or if the entire pump needs to be removed.

Cycling

Another fairly clear indication that your sump pump isn't working the way it should be is if you notice that it constantly turns on and off, especially if it is not raining outside. This is usually caused by a float switch which has become stuck, which simply needs to be rebalanced to get the sump pump working again, or a structural problem with the reservoir that your sump pump is installed within, which will require some more extensive repairs to fix. No matter the reason, it should be addressed quickly, because constant cycling on and off will quickly cause damage to the sump pump's motor.

Constant Running

In a similar vein to the above point, your sump pump may be in dire need of replacement if you notice that it is constantly running when it rains outside. This is usually not because of particular wear or a mechanical issue with your pump, but instead due to an underpowered motor that is not able to keep up with the flow of water. Replacing your sump pump with a more powerful model can help reduce the risk of flooding.

Rust

Even if you don't notice the above two issues, it's a good idea to visually inspect your sump pump to make sure that there are no physical signs of damage. In particular, keep an eye out for any sign of rust developing on the pump: rust can quickly eat away at the metal parts within the pump and prevent it from functioning properly. If there are large patches of rust on your pump, you'll need to replace it immediately.

Get in touch with a service like Garabedian Plumbing & Heating Inc for more help.