Sump Pumps

[Ronji]

We recently downsized into a town house, and was looking at my sump pit. I could not get the pump to kick in. There is power, tried moving float, and could not get it started. What is the experience out there with regards to a remedy. Would the pump / float be kaput? Do I buy a new one? Are they worth repairing, with a new pump around $300.00. Are the stainless any better? I sure the existing is only a 1/2 hp. There was some silt in the bottom of the pit, would this have damaged the pump?
In all the years with our rural septic system, we only had to change out a sump in once in 30 years. The pump in the current pit is only 6 years old (same age as the building).
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[grouse_hunter]

I've had to replace my sump pump a couple of times. I'd say that I usually get 4-5 years out of one.
I've always gotten a new unit and discarded the old one.
Silt will definitely contribute to premature wear.

You might have a broken impeller if the motor is engaging when you lift the float switch yet no fluid is being pumped. I that case you could get a replacement part.

[theoldguy]

Best is to have the pump raised off the bottom. Use a brick or aluminum channel so sand and small grit don’t get in the impellor. Get a spare pump and have it fitted up to exact length as old one. Then when the sump is overflowing and the alarms are screaming you can just loosen the fernco and slip the new one in place and plug er in. Believe me��tog

[Geraldsh]

Don’t worry about the price of a pump, worry about the price of it not working when you need it. I keep a spare on the shelf also.

[Austin]

Technically, how many years between replacing these should one go in a rural or urban setting? Does rural or urban make a difference if fairly clean sump basin?

[crazyperch]

Originally Posted by Austin

Technically, how many years between replacing these should one go in a rural or urban setting? Does rural or urban make a difference if fairly clean sump basin?

I believe they say you should replace the sump every 5 years to be on the safe side.

for around 150$ at Home Depot, its a cheap thing to do to prevent flooding your basement

[Geraldsh]

Urban or rural makes no difference- it’s all about the water table where you live. Some places the pumps run almost constantly. Other neighborhoods they only run for a few minutes after a heavy ,rain or spring melt.

I have one that runs just often enough to prove it still works so I don’t touch it