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