Most homeowners never think about their sump pump until it’s too late.
It sits quietly in a pit for months, or sometimes years, without much attention. But when heavy rain arrives, your sump pump suddenly becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. If it fails when you need it most, the result can be a flooded basement, damaged flooring and drywall, ruined belongings, mold growth, and thousands of dollars in repairs.
The good news? There are several simple ways to dramatically reduce the chances of a sump pump failure.
The Most Common Cause of Sump Pump Failure
Many homeowners assume the motor is the first thing to fail. In our experience, that’s usually not the case. One of the most common causes of sump pump failure is the float switch, the component that tells the pump when to turn on and off.
If the switch sticks, becomes obstructed, or simply wears out over time, the pump may never start, even though the motor itself is still in good condition. That’s one reason we believe investing in a quality sump pump is worth it.
The Sump Pump We Recommend
Over the years, we’ve installed a variety of sump pumps. Today, our standard recommendation for most residential applications is the Glentronics PHCC S3033 with the DFC2 automatic self-testing switch.
Why this one?
Because we’ve had excellent success with its reliability, and its automatic self-testing technology. We’ve found it’s a dependable system that gives homeowners confidence their sump pump will be ready when it’s needed. Our standard Glentronics sump pump also includes a five-year warranty, providing even more peace of mind.
A Sump Pump That Tests Itself
One of our favorite features of the DFC2 switch is something most homeowners never think about. It automatically runs the sump pump for a few seconds every week to verify that both the pump and the switch are operating properly. That means the system is routinely checking itself instead of relying on you to remember to test it.
It’s a simple feature, but one that can make a big difference when the next heavy rain arrives.
Don’t Wait for a Storm to Find Out Your Pump Isn’t Working
A sump pump usually doesn’t get a second chance. If it fails during a major rainstorm, you may not discover the problem until water is already spreading across your basement floor. That’s why we encourage homeowners to think about reliability before they have a problem, not after.
A quality sump pump is one of the best investments you can make to help protect your home from expensive water damage.
The Backup System We Recommend Most
Ironically, some of the biggest storms are also the ones most likely to knock out your electricity. A perfectly good sump pump can’t do its job without power. That’s why we recommend a battery backup sump pump for many homeowners. If your primary pump stops working or the power goes out, the battery backup automatically takes over, helping protect your basement until power is restored or repairs can be made. For many homes, it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make.
Other Backup Options
Battery backups are what we install most often, but they aren’t the only solution.
If your home already has a standby generator, it can keep your primary sump pump operating during an extended power outage. In certain situations, a municipal water-powered backup pump may also be a good option, although we install those much less frequently today than battery backup systems.
Every home is different, and we’re happy to help you determine which backup option makes the most sense for your situation.
Don’t Forget the Alarm
Even the best backup system is more valuable when it’s paired with an alarm. Whether it’s an audible alarm or a Wi-Fi monitoring system, an alarm lets you know something needs your attention before you discover water on the basement floor.
That early warning can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
If You Travel, Backup Protection Matters Even More
One of the biggest risks isn’t when you’re home. It’s when you’re away for a long weekend or on vacation and a storm rolls through. A quality sump pump, battery backup, and alarm system work together to help protect your home even when no one is there to notice a problem.
If you travel frequently or have a finished basement, backup protection offers valuable peace of mind.
Should You Test Your Sump Pump?
Absolutely.
At least once or twice each year, pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to make sure the pump turns on, removes the water, and shuts off properly. If you have a battery backup system, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for testing it as well.
Of course, one of the advantages of the DFC2 switch is that it’s already performing an automatic self-test every week.
When Should You Replace a Sump Pump?
Even if it’s still working, an aging sump pump isn’t always a dependable sump pump. If your pump is around 10 years old, has been running frequently, or has needed repairs, it may be worth replacing before it fails during the next heavy rain. Replacing a working sump pump is almost always less expensive, and much less stressful than cleaning up a flooded basement.
We’re Happy to Help
There’s no single sump pump that’s right for every home, but there are certainly some that have earned our trust over the years.
At Lohmeyer Plumbing, we recommend equipment we’ve seen perform well in real homes, not just products that look good on a store shelf.
If you’re unsure how old your sump pump is, wondering if you need a battery backup, or simply want peace of mind before the next big storm, we’d be happy to help you choose the right system for your home.