3 Ways Sump Pumps Fail

Your sump pump is a critical element of your basement waterproofing system. Here are three ways sump pumps most commonly fail:

Overwhelmed Pump

Depending on the season, your area may see an abundance of rainfall. Last summer, an extended drought meant that many homeowners mowed their lawns maybe twice the whole summer. This past spring, some areas in Missouri and Illinois experienced unprecedented flash flooding. Rain came down faster than storm drains could empty the streets. The same thing happens when your sump pump can't keep up with torrential rainfall, especially when you only have one sump pump in the basement. Without a secondary pump, you only have one sump pump standing between you and a wet basement.

Power Outages

A sump pump is the heart of any waterproofing system. The pump is your last line of defense against groundwater seepage. When it fails, your waterproofing system fails, and your basement gets wet. When are you most likely to get the most rain? During a thunderstorm. And when do power outages most commonly occur? During thunderstorms. If you don't have a battery backup sump pump in place, then you're just one power outage away from a wet basement.

Mechanical Failure

Cars are fun to drive. Computers are great for getting stuff done. Whether engines overheat or software crashes, every electronic or mechanical device stops working at some point. Your sump pump is mechanical; it will not last forever. Whether your sump pit is inundated with mud and clay or your current sump pump wears out, there will come a day when your pump stops functioning. And when it does, will you have a secondary pump or battery backup sump pump to relieve the hydrostatic pressure building up around your foundation?

Woods Basement Systems can help you choose the right sump pump. If you live in Greater St. Louis, MO, Springfield, IL, or nearby, we can provide a free estimate for sump pump installation so that you can make sure your basement and belongings are protected the next time it rains.