One of the most common reasons your battery backup sump pump won’t run is an improperly installed switch: The switch needs to be attached right above your primary electric sump pump, so that it only turns on when your primary fails or is overwhelmed by the amount of water inflow.

How do you reset a backup sump pump?

Follow these 5 simple steps to reset your sump pump:

  1. Disconnect the power. …
  2. Take the sump pump out of the basin. …
  3. Clean out the sump pump. …
  4. Return the sump pump to the basin and restart the power. …
  5. Reset the sump pump.





How do I know if my battery backup sump pump is working?

How do I know if my Sump Pump is Working?

  1. Step 1: Test the Pump. Fill the pump pit with water and watch to see if the pump activates. …
  2. Step 2: Watch the Drain. Watch the pump drain water out of its basin. …
  3. Step 3: Test the Shut-off. Stay until the pump turns off, so you know its shut-off feature is working properly.


How do you fix a backed up sump pump?

How to Unclog a Sump Pump

  1. Remove The Sump Pump. Get started unclogging your sump pump by detaching your sump pump from the discharge lines and electrical connection then removing it from the sump basin. …
  2. Remove Clogs from Drain Entry and Exit. …
  3. Remove Sediment from Lines. …
  4. Test Lines. …
  5. Reattach Pump.





Why isn’t my sump pump pumping water?

A small air relief hole should be in the discharge line so that the sump pump can overcome air pressure. If your sump pump was installed in an area where dirt or gravel is present, your discharge pipe might have debris in it which can disturb the sump pump’s float arm.

How do I make my sump pump kick on?


Quote from Youtube video: Right there some pop is drained. Out all right so there you go that's how you manually turn on your sump pump in your basement.

How long does a sump pump backup battery last?

As a general rule of thumb, during a power outage most new fully-charged batteries will last roughly 5-7 hours of continuous pumping and roughly 1-3 days of non-continuous pumping depending on the frequency. The longer the pump runs, the less power it has.

How often should I replace my sump pump battery?



every five years

Battery must be replaced every five years (and costs about $100).

Can a sump pump battery be recharged?

Even a half-used battery can be recharged. The important point isn’t how much the battery is charged, but how much capacity it has. For example, the used battery may be able to power a load, but it will do so for a much shorter time than a new, unused battery.

How do I change the battery in my sump pump?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what you can do you got your just a regular circle connector i'm going to lay it over the bolt. Then i'm going to take a regular washer. And then we'll take the lock washer. Put it on top.

What is the most common reason for sump pump failure?

The most common mechanical problem that causes a sump pump failure is a stuck switch. This primarily occurs when the pump shifts inside the basin, causing the float that operates the switch to become ineffective by lodging itself against the side of the pump.

Is there a reset button on a sump pump?

Locate the reset button on the motor. If there isn’t one, locate the on/off switch and turn it off, or unplug the pump directly from the electrical outlet.

How do I know if my sump pump is broken?

Signs Sump Pump Replacement is Needed

  1. Frequently cycling on and off. If you’ve noticed your sump pump frequently cycling on and off, its basin may be too small to handle the volume of water in your basement. …
  2. Running nonstop. …
  3. Making weird noises. …
  4. Not coming on when it should.



What is the average life expectancy of a sump pump?

about 10 years

Like other appliances and equipment in your home, your sump pump won’t last forever. Averaging about 10 years, you might not notice your sump pump has malfunctioned until it has stopped working.

Can I replace a sump pump myself?

When your home has a sump pump, you want it working to keep rainwater out of your basement or crawl space. If your sump pump is failing and you need to replace it, it’s a DIY job you can handle yourself.

Should there be water in my sump pump pit?



It’s perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to always have some water in it. This water can be the result of rain, snowmelt, or seepage from the ground. That being said, when the water rises to a certain level, this should trigger your sump pump’s float switch. This will cause the pump to turn on and start working.

What happens if a sump pump runs dry?

Dry running occurs when a pump operates without adequate liquid. This leads to a surge in pressure, flow or overheating that will instigate a pump failure. As a result, the pumping elements seize up on the shaft.

Should a sump pump be full?

A sump pump that is always full means there is either a continuous flow of water into the pit or a pump malfunction. A high water table, partially blocked discharge lines, or burst pipes can all cause a constant flow into the pump pit: If the water table is too high, raising the sump pit can help.