Bob Rath Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

03/27/2024

How to check if a sump pump is working

Spring means rain, a combination that can lead to basement flooding if your sump pump doesn’t work. That’s why it’s essential to ensure your sump pump is working before the water arrives. Here’s a guide to testing your sump pump, plus some troubleshooting tips.

How to test a sump pump
There are two simple methods to test a sump pump:

1. Lift the float
Your sump pump operates using a device called a float, which literally floats on the surface of the sump pit water. When the water reaches a certain level, the float activates the pump motor. Where does the sump pump water go? The water is pushed through a discharge pipe to either the storm sewer or a safe area of your property away from the house’s foundation. The float is usually a white or black plastic ball attached to the unit by a metal rod.

To test your sump pump using the float, grasp the float and lift it as high as you can. If the pump motor starts, you know the system is working. If it doesn’t, you need to troubleshoot using the guide below.

2. Pour water into the sump pit
You can always duplicate a real-life scenario by dumping water into the pit to see if it works. Fill a large bucket or trash can with water and pour it into the sump pit. If the pump motor starts, you know it works. If it doesn’t start, it’s time to troubleshoot.

If you see some water already in the pit, you may be wondering, “Should there be water in the sump pump pit?” The answer is yes, it’s perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to have water in it all the time.

Sump pump troubleshooting
If you’ve tried the first two tests and the motor isn’t working, here are a few things to check before you call a plumber for a repair or replacement:
Reboot your pump. The first thing you should do if your sump pump isn’t working is unplug it from its power source and plug it back in. This works like a reboot and will often bring your pump back to life after months of sitting idle during the winter.
Check the power source. Your sump pump is powered by electricity and should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. These outlets have special circuit breakers as a safeguard in case they get wet. Ensure the outlet is working by pressing the reset switch. Additionally, check the breaker box and ensure that the sump pump’s breaker hasn’t tripped. Consider installing a battery-powered backup sump pump to ensure your sump pump works in a power outage.

Check for blockages. If your sump pump is running but not pumping, it may be due to blockages in the discharge pipes or a buildup of sediment at the bottom of your sump pit. Clean your pit and pipes yourself or give us a call!

Replace the sump pump. Sump pumps have an average lifespan of about 10 years, so if you have an old sump pump pit with aging equipment, it may be time to consider replacement - thus avoiding the dreaded flooded basement and mold remediation.

Our office number is 908-754-6686

01/14/2022

04/13/2021

Water Conservation Tip #2

A running toilet can waste 4.5 gallons per minute, (that's nearly 300 gallons per hour, or 6,480 gallons per day). That could increase your water bill nearly $60 per day. A leaking flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

Have one of our techs test your tank while we're there.. IT'S FREE!!

03/15/2021

Water Conservation Tip #1
Shower in under 5 minutes - use a timer or the clock app on your phone.
It's estimated that you will save up to 1000 gallons per MONTH if you are used to taking longer showers.

07/10/2020

It's raining, it's POURING!!
We're here for you - gotta check those basement sump pumps 908-754-6686 www.rathplumbing.com

Sump pumps are devices that help keep properties safe from water damage. When a storm occurs, sump pumps remove excess water around the foundation a property, transporting it away. Maintaining and testing a sump pump ensures that it works properly when needed. It takes only a few minutes to test a sump pump and doesn’t require special skills. Here’s how to test a sump pump.

How to test a sump pump
After locating the exit pipe, which drains out water from the pump outside the home, it should be inspected to ensure it’s not clogged with dirt or debris. Also, the pipe should direct water well away from the home’s foundation.
Any debris found inside the pump should be removed to ensure the pump will not clog. The sump pump is usually installed in the basement or crawlspace near the walls of the foundation.
The first way to test the sump pump is to trace the two electrical cords of the sump pump. The pump cord plugs into the back of the float cord plug. Both cables should be unplugged, and only the pump cord should be plugged into the outlet. If you hear a humming sound when turning on the pump, the pump works. The two cords must be connected back as they were (the float cord first, then the pump cord into the back of the float plug). Since not all sump pumps have two wires, here’s how to test single-corded sump pumps:
Approximately 20 litres of water should be poured into the pump pit slowly until the float rises. At this point, the pump should kick on. While it’s on, the water must be pumping out, and the pump should turn itself off when it removed all the water. The sump pump test should be repeated to ensure the device works.
If pouring water into the sump pump is not an option, the float should be lifted, and the pump must be checked that it turns on. However, the pump must not run for more than a few seconds to prevent damage to the motor.

If these methods of testing a sump pump don’t work, it should be serviced immediately.
The Bob Rath Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning team stands ready to provide replacement pumps.

We provide Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning in North Jersey (Somerset & Union County and parts of Middlesex, Morris & Essex County NJ).

06/01/2020

With warmer days approaching let us service your AC system! we are caring for our customers wearing masks and gloves.

06/09/2019

Call us for all your Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality (allergy) needs?

03/01/2019

If you live in the Central NJ area, you KNOW how are the city water is! You can look at your showerheads and faucets and see a layer of white minerals that have begun to build up - it's also destroying your washing machine and dishwasher. We have a solution to the problem of hard water - just call our office 908-754-6686 and speak to one of the representatives or message us and we can send you some information

06/19/2018

Air Conditioning general wear and tear - please call our office to schedule an appointment 908-754-6686

Air conditioners just last longer if they’re maintained properly. A good air filter helps to stop dust and dirt from building up on all of the unit’s internal components; a bad one will cause additional wear and tear that can lead to serious maintenance issues down the road. You may end up having to replace your air conditioner a year or two sooner, and you’ll likely be paying for expensive air conditioning repairs in the meantime.

04/20/2018

Maybe Bob is ready for his own A&E show!!

On the job when customer was complaining of outside drain was clogged. We felt like Billy the Exterminator pulling out a (non-poisonous) snake from the backyard drain

04/20/2018

On the job when customer was complaining of outside drain was clogged. We felt like Billy the Exterminator pulling out a (non-poisonous) snake from the backyard drain

02/16/2018

Spring Bonus!! March 1 through May 31. Homeowners can instantly get up to $750 off their invoice by choosing select Fujitsu Halcyon and all Fujitsu Airstage J-Series systems.
Have to be installed by May 31st to receive the discount.

Call Martha in office for more details. 908-754-6686