Age of Pump It is impossible to predict how long a sump pump will last. In questioning manufacturers, pumps can last anywhere from three to 20 years. One manufacturer states that a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years is reasonable. The U.S. Department of Housing and Development estimates the life expectancy of sump pumps at 10 years. The pump’s life expectancy will vary due to how much the pump has run in its lifetime. Write down the pump installation date on something on or near the pump so it is easier to keep tabs on the age of the pump. As the pump approaches the anticipated life expectancy, consider replacing it. During the life of the pump, some service may be necessary. Certain parts like the impeller, o-rings and switch wear out. The average switch life on an automatic pump is four to seven years according to one manufacturer. Consider having the pump serviced every few years. Electrical Power Outage It is not uncommon to have the electrical power go out during violent thunderstorms. This is not good when a home is prone to water in the basement during rainstorms. Back-up pumps that do not need house power are the answer to overcome power outages. Improper Installation Many times the installer does not follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Ask the installer for the owner’s manual and installation instructions. Read them completely. Here are some common mistakes to look for: Most manufacturers recommend or require a check valve be installed on the discharge line. If not installed, the backflow of water can cause the pump impeller to rotate backwards and unscrew off the motor shaft. If this happens, the pump motor will run but will not pump any water. Most manufacturers require the drilling of a small air relief hole in the discharge line between the pump and the check valve. This is intended to prevent the pump from having to overcome the air pressure in the discharge pipe. Check to make sure the discharge pipe is of the required diameter. The proper size is usually indicated in the owner’s manual. Install the pump on a dedicated electrical circuit. A dedicated circuit means the pump outlet is the only thing on that electrical branch circuit. Many pump motors require between 10 and 15 amps of power when starting. This is near the capacity of many electrical circuits. Check to make sure the electrical outlet is grounded (3-prongs). This can be checked with a circuit tester, which is available from any hardware or home improvement store. Make sure an extension cord has not been used to power the pump. Check the pump's electrical cord to make sure it does not interfere with the operation of the pump. The sump pit should have a solid bottom surface. A dirt or gravel bottom can increase the chance that rocks and debris will enter the pump that is too large for it to handle. This may cause the impeller to get stuck. Clean all dirt and debris out of sump pit before installing the pump. Make sure the check valve is not installed backwards. Usually there is an arrow on the valve pointing in the direction of water flow. Incorrectly Sized Pump Selecting the right size pump is very important. Bigger is not necessarily better. If a pump is too large, the pump will cycle on and off more than it needs to, which can result in a shorter pump life. If the pump is too small, it may not be able to pump the water out or it will run too long and too hot, shortening the pump’s life. The installer of the drain system should size the pump based on the calculated amount of water needed to be pumped (called capacity and indicated in gallons per minute) and the height and length the water needs to be pumped (head). Ask the installer for their calculations and a copy of the pump capacity chart. If the installer cannot produce these calculations, this indicates a problem. Ask the installer to put you in touch with technical support at the pump manufacturer. Lack of Maintenance Some pump manufacturers recommend the pump be run every two to three months. Some recommend a yearly program completed just before the rainy season hits. Follow the pump manufacturer’s recommendations. These will include: Fill the sump pit with water to make sure the pump operates. If there is a back-up pump, unplug the primary pump and run the back-up pump to make sure it works properly. Don’t forget to plug the primary pump back in after completing the test. When testing your sump pump, go outside to make sure it is discharging water. In some cases, the pump can run but not pump any water. This can because the impeller has disengaged from the pump shaft or the check valve is installed backwards. Check the operation of the float to make sure it is not restricted. Clean out the air hole in the discharge line. Listen for any unusual noises when the motor is running. Replace the battery on the back-up sump pump every two or three years. Lightning or Power Surge Damage Some components of the sump pump may be vulnerable to damage from power surges. To help prevent this, protect the entire electrical system from power surges with a service entrance (whole house) surge protection device. Product Defect Product defects are probably rare. While some product defects may not exhibit a problem when the pump is new, it is still wise to test the pump when it is installed to make sure the pump operates properly.