How do I tell if my sump pump is working?
Slowly pour a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit. The pump should turn on as the float rises, pump the water out, and shut off automatically when the pit is empty. If it doesn't start, check the breaker and, if the pump plugs into a GFCI outlet, press its reset button. Then unplug the pump and make sure the float switch moves freely. If it runs but doesn't drain, the discharge pipe may be clogged. Test it twice a year: before the rainy season starts and again midway through it.
Step by step: testing your sump pump
- Locate the sump pit: Most Inland Empire homes sit on a slab with no basement, so many have no sump pump at all. Here, sump pumps mostly matter for crawl spaces, below-grade rooms and window wells, and for homes in low-lying, flood-prone areas. If you have one, it's usually in the lowest part of the house or yard. Look for a covered hole in the floor or a pit with a black plastic pump inside.
- Listen while it runs: During the bucket test below, a working pump makes a steady humming or gurgling sound, then stops. Banging, grinding, or screeching means the impeller is damaged or the motor is failing.
- Do the bucket test: Pour 5 gallons of water slowly into the sump pit. The float should rise, the pump should kick on, water should leave the pit through the discharge pipe, and the pump should shut off automatically when the water level drops. If any of those steps fails, the pump needs service.
- Check the discharge: Walk outside and find where the discharge pipe exits the house. Water should flow steadily during the test. If nothing comes out, the discharge line is probably clogged with dirt, leaves, or roots. Clear it, or call or text us if you can't reach the blockage.
- Inspect the check valve: The check valve is on the discharge pipe just above the pump. It prevents pumped water from flowing back into the pit. After the pump shuts off, listen: if water rushes back into the pit, the check valve has failed.
- Have a backup: Battery backup sump pumps run when the power is out, which is often exactly when storms cause flooding. If you don't have one, we can add one before the next storm season.
When to call Sweetwater: If the pump doesn't start, runs but doesn't empty the pit, or grinds or bangs, call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791 before the next storm.
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