| A sump pump plays a pivotal role in your home's | | | | The troubleshooting part of your owner's manual |
| drainage system. In fact, the effectiveness of | | | | will give you information on what to do in a |
| your drainage system is wholly dependent on the | | | | situation where your pump is not responding as it |
| smooth operation of the pump. At times, sump | | | | should. If you have performed the advised |
| pump failure does happen, leaving your basement | | | | cleaning process and your pump still fails to work, |
| area vulnerable to costly damage. The best way | | | | you need to check the electrical system. If your |
| to avoid this potential damage is to closely follow | | | | pump is plugged into an outlet much like any other |
| the guidelines laid out in the owner's manual which | | | | appliance outlet, unplug your pump and try |
| provides the necessary instructions for proper | | | | plugging in a clock or lamp that you know works. |
| pump maintenance and operation. | | | | Also check that the breaker is on. If your pump |
| Regardless of what model of sump pump you | | | | still fails to start, a manual will instruct you to do |
| have, problems associated with pump failure are | | | | the following: reset the switch on the motor, |
| universal. For this reason, virtually every sump | | | | check to see that the switch activated by the |
| pump owner's manual offers the same tips for | | | | float is operational, verify that the motor is not |
| pump failure prevention. Although any number of | | | | burned out from being overused while in the |
| problems may arise with your pump, including a | | | | clogged state. As a last resort, your manual will |
| jammed or broken control switch or a burned out | | | | instruct you to check the float switch by moving |
| motor, the first rule of prevention is to keep your | | | | it up and down. This will have the effect of |
| pump clean. Clogging is a major issue in sump | | | | cleaning dirty switch contacts and operation should |
| pump maintenance. Dirt, debris and a variety of | | | | resume immediately. Note that the switch should |
| other foreign objects can build up causing a | | | | be replaced frequently, and if the switch can be |
| blockage in the inlet screen. The screen's function | | | | removed, you may want to try and repair the |
| is to remove small particles of waste along with | | | | damaged part yourself. |
| the water, but it can only handle so much. To | | | | The owner's manual accompanying your sump |
| properly clean your sump pump, use a pair of | | | | pump will clearly tell you that your pump will not |
| rubber gloves to collect all debris. Next, take a | | | | work effectively unless you perform proper sump |
| garden hose and fill the pump with water. As you | | | | pump maintenance. Your sump pump plays an |
| fill the pump with water, the float will rise causing | | | | important role in your home, so take the time to |
| the pump to activate again. If your float rises but | | | | read the manual carefully and know how to keep |
| does not start the system, it is time to consult | | | | it in good working order. |
| the troubleshooting section in your manual. | | | | |