Sump pumps can prevent your home from significant damage should the area you live in be prone to flooding or heavy rain storms. A sump pump works to remove excessive water from building up in your basement or first level of a structure that could cause water damage, cracking and mold. It is important to make sure that the sump pump system you own is in working order and should a problem occur, you know how to do sump pump troubleshooting. Troubleshooting sump pump problems can be easy; sometimes as simply as checking to make sure the unit is plugged in. However, if the unit is plugged in but running inefficiently or not running at all, it's time to begin troubleshooting.

All sump pumps if purchased new, should come with a manual, which you should keep on hand and read more than once. If you know what potential problems should arise, by reading the manual, you'll be prepared to fix them. As noted, there are many small problems that can cause a sump pump to fail to work properly, and these problems can be remedied by you in a very short time.

Common problems for sump pumps are faulty switches, burned out motors and clogs. If you're experiencing problems with the switch, first check to make sure it's clean. Sometimes dirt and debris can prevent a switch from turning on and off as it should. By cleaning it, you may solve the problem. Otherwise, if the switch is clean and simply will not turn on or off, it may be worn out and need replacement. As a rule, switches do tend to wear out and should be replaced often.

If a sump pump motor is old and has been used on many occasions, it could burn out. Again, check the motor to make sure it is not clogged with debris, and if it is clean it. If it still fails to operate, it may be time to replace your system.

In many cases, small objects and dirt can prevent the sump pump inlet screen to do it's job and filter water as it should. In order to keep the screen clear of debris, it should be rinsed and all foreign objects and debris should be carefully removed. Fill the sump pump with a hose to make sure that the float system will trigger the machine to turn on when the sump pump is full. If this does not happen, there could be other minor issues that can be dealt with by consulting the owner's manual.

More complicated troubleshooting will be found in your manual regarding the unit's electrical system. Sometimes, plugging and unplugging the unit may solve the problem. Other times, you may need to reset the motor, using a restart button that is usually located on the unit's motor.

Owning a sump pump does take some troubleshooting work on the part of the owner, and many times problems can be solved without calling in expensive help. Read the manual, keep your machine in clean working order and your sump pump should last a long time.