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Homeownership is not as easy as it looks. Homeowners essentially become a jack of all trades, as they need to know a lot about their home. They need to know what the different parts are, what they do and what signs to look out for regarding repairs.

Most homeowners spend a lot of time thinking about their drains or their faucets, but they rarely think about their sump pump. A sump pump is essentially a device to protect your home from heavy rains and rising waters. It prevents your home from flooding or sustaining any type of water damage that could completely wreck the structure of your home.

In general, most sump pumps will last for the entire life of your home. You really don’t have to worry much about it. The only time that you will ever hear about it is when your plumber mentions it in passing. In most situations, your plumber will replace the sump pump before any major damages occur.

However, it is in your best interest to learn more about sump pumps, how they work and the different signs that they need to be repaired. This article will serve as a guide for these purposes. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact a professional in Arlington, TX.

Types of Sump Pumps

This is not common knowledge, but there are different types of sump pumps. Your plumber will likely look at the type of sump pump that you have installed in your home before recommending a new one for you. They will usually try to give you the same type of sump pump; however, depending on the type that you use, they may also recommend that you switch to another one for more benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the different types below.

Battery-Operated Sump Pump

A battery-operated sump pump is quite popular because it offers extra security from water damage. This type of sump pump will still work even if your home is experiencing a power outage during a storm. That’s when you’ll likely need the sump pump the most. Instead, the sump pump will rely on its own internal battery. Your plumber will take a look at the model that you have to let you know when the battery needs to be replaced.

Pedestal Sump Pump

A pedestal sump pump has two parts: a motor and a pump. The motor will sit above the basin and the pump will be within the basin. The benefit of choosing this type of sump pump is that the motor will usually have a longer lifespan. As it is easily accessible, most professionals will also be able to get to the sump pump with no issue at all for maintenance work. With that said, there is a downside to a pedestal sump pump. Since the motor is aboveground, the sump pump can be a bit noisy when it’s in operation.

Submersible Sump Pump

A submersible sump pump is a bit different from a pedestal sump pump. With a pedestal sump pump, the motor and the pump are two separate units that sit separately from one another. With a submersible sump pump, on the other hand, the motor and pump are both one unit. They will sit together within the basin. Because the motor sits in the basin, unlike with a pedestal sump pump, a submersible sump pump will usually be a bit quieter in comparison. It’s also a good choice for those who don’t have a lot of space. The only downside is that the motor is not as accessible, which means that the plumber may have difficulties accessing it.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Sump pumps have a fairly important job. So, how does it work?

Usually, sump pumps are located in the basement of your home. They are located in a naturally constructed pit, also known as a basin, that is below the main surface of the floor.

The sump pump will have a sensor that will be able to measure water levels in your home. If the water level gets too high, the sump pump will automatically pump the excess water out of your basement and into a discharge line, also called an effluent line. The sump pump is, in essence, responsible for all of the drainage that happens in your home.

It’s basically the first part that a plumber will look at if there is a drainage issue with your home.

5 Signs That Your Sump Pump Needs to Be Replaced

Now that you know how important your sump pump is, you should take the time to learn about the signs that it needs to be replaced. You definitely want to get the sump pumps replaced as soon as possible. If you wait, your home is susceptible to water damage. In the event of a flood, the sump pump will not be able to drain your home. This means that your basement will likely flood. It also means that your home is susceptible to water damage when it rains.

Below, we’ll look at 5 of the most common signs that a sump pump needs to be replaced. In the event that you think that you may have noticed some of these signs in your home, give a plumber in Arlington, TX a call right away. Once again, this is definitely something that you want checked out immediately.

Most professionals will inspect your home and even do a video inspection in order to uncover the cause of the problem.

#1. The Sump Pump Won’t Turn Off

Sump pumps should not be working 24/7. In fact, they only turn on when the water level in your basement rises above a certain level. However, if you’ve noticed that your sump pump is always on and never turns off, you might want to call a plumber right away. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s too much water in your foundation, it could simply mean that the sump pump is breaking down and not accurately measuring the water levels.

In the event that this is not the case, calling a professional will also be helpful, as they’ll be able to tell whether the sump pump that you have installed is effective or not. If it is on 24/7, there’s a good chance that it’s not effective at all and needs to be upgraded to a model that will be more capable of handling the moisture in your home.

#2. There’s Rust on the Pump

The truth of the matter is that everything will start to degrade with time. The important thing is being able to recognize when something needs to be replaced. One of the signs that your sump pump is getting a bit too old is if you start to see rust on the pump. This means that it’s succumbing to water damage itself and needs to be replaced. If you leave the situation as is, the sump pump may eventually break. The solution here is to replace the sump pump with a new one.

Our plumbers in Arlington, TX will be able to help you find a brand and model that works for you. By replacing your sump pump, you can rest assured that the foundation will stay dry. The last thing you want is to find out that your sump pump has broken when you really need it. By the time that you get your hands on a new unit, the water and moisture in your home may have already caused significant damage.

#3. Your Basement Has Flooded

Your sump pump has one job and one job only: that’s to drain any excess water or moisture that is present in the basement and in your home. However, if your basement has flooded at any time in the past, it’s basically a sign that the sump pump hasn’t done its job.

This could be for a variety of reasons. For one, the amount of water that the pump needed to handle may have been too much. The more likely scenario, however, is that the sump pump is not as effective because it’s pretty old. Or, it wasn’t working at all because the internal mechanisms and parts are broken.

If your basement has flooded, most plumbers will have recommended that you upgrade and replace your sump pump with a new one. If you haven’t done so yet, now would be a good time. If you fail to do so, your basement is susceptible to flooding once again. Think back to the last time that it flooded and all of the headaches that came with it. Replacing a sump pump will be much more convenient and affordable than having to deal with all of that again.

#4. The Pump Vibrates a Lot

This is one of the first signs that the pump is damaged. You’ll notice that the pump vibrates a lot. If you have a unit that sits above the basin, you’ll likely notice that the sump pump is quite noisy. This usually means that the motor is working to drain a lot of heavy water through your home.

If you notice heavy vibration, call a plumber right away to assess the situation. The plumber will take a look at the condition of the sump pump, as well as the amount of water that it needs to move. They will take a look at whether any of the parts are damaged or loose. In most situations, you should not try to repair the sump pump at all. Instead, your best bet is to replace it.

This is also a good time for the plumber to assess whether the sump pump is meeting the needs of your home. They may want to recommend that you choose another pump.

#5. The Sump Pump Is Making Strange Noises

Unless you have a unit that sits entirely within a basin, your sump pump is going to make some type of noise. The amount of noise that the pump makes with depend on the amount of work that it needs to be done, the type of model or brand that you purchased, as well as many other factors

If you notice that your sump pump is making a lot of strange noises throughout the entire day, there’s usually a good chance that it needs to be replaced. With that said, you should once again call a plumber to make sure that your suspicions are correct.

The type of sound that the pump is making can give you some insight as to what’s wrong. For example, if you hear some type of grinding noise, there’s a good chance that there’s something wrong with the motor. In some situations, you can replace just one part. For example, if the motor is damaged, you can replace just the motor. However, most contractors and plumbers will recommend that you install a new pump. Once the new pump is installed, the strange noises should disappear completely.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for Help Today!

Do you suspect that there’s something wrong with your sump pump? Is your home not draining water properly? The first thing that you should do is call a plumber in Arlington, TX. Water damage is no joke, and you definitely don’t want to wait until the problem has become too large to handle.

While there are many wonderful plumbers and plumbing companies in Arlington, TX, consider giving Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth a call at 817-478-4119. They are one of the most reputable plumbing companies in the area, and all of their plumbers are licensed and insured. No matter which plumber comes to your aid, you can rest assured that you are in good hands.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth has a great reputation in the area as well. They provide affordable plumbing services and quality workmanship. Check out their reviews to learn more about what past clients have said about them!