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Sump Pump Guide The Ultimate Guide to Sump Pumps

How To Reset A Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are used to put off the water that accumulates in the basement or anywhere else around your house. So, you must know how to fix it if there are some problems.

If your sump pump is having problems, you have to identify the type of problem that it is having. You have to know if there are water leaks, or if the float does not rise or is stuck, and more important tasks that may help you fix your sump pump.

Read: How To Test A Sump Pump?

If none of these solutions work for your unit then you have to try resetting it or replacing the sump pump.

Resetting a sump pump is typically an effective way of dealing with the problem – you don’t even need to turn off the main electrical supply to your home in most cases!

Here are the steps you need to do before resetting a sump pump.

Step 1 – Check The Power Supply To Your Sump Pump And Home

Make sure that your home is actually receiving power from an electrical supply, and that the source of this power is not being interrupted by a tripped circuit breaker.

Also, check your home’s fuse box to ensure there are no blown fuses that may have caused the power supply to be interrupted.

Resetting a sump pump will not resolve any other electrical issues you might be experiencing at home.

Step 2 – Is It Powered On?

The next step should be verifying whether or not your home’s sump pump is actually powered on.

If there is no power at the sump pump’s electrical outlet, then, of course, it won’t be working.

Go back to your sump pump and check if it is receiving power from the electrical supply and the fuse box.

If you still cannot find any problems with your power supply, then take a look at the plug itself – will it fit into other sockets? If not, then just try another socket until you can find one that works for you.

Check the power button and see if it’s lit up or not. If it’s lit up, then you need to check whether the pump is actually moving water.

This can be done by removing the lid of your sump pit and checking whether there are any obstructions that could stop water from flowing through the pump.

Also, check the status of your sump pump’s outlet. Is it working as it should? If not, then this may be a sign that you need to replace your sump pump.

If there are no obstructions and the plug is fully functional, then you still have other options to fix your sump pump.

Step 3 – Check The Float Switch Positioning

In this step, you have to check or remove the sump pump’s float switch from its normal position before verifying that it is actually powered on.

The important thing here is whether or not there are any obstructions that might be affecting the movement of the float switch.

This position is very easy to determine since there will actually be three possible positions: raised, normal, and lowered.

If it is in the raised position, then your sump pump isn’t working because it’s already pumping water out. If it is in the lowered position, then you know why it’s not working – because the pump is submerged in water.

If the switch is in its normal position, however, this means that there are no obstructions to its movement and your sump pump should be turned on.

Step 4 – Test The Pump Residual Water Level

This step will help you determine whether or not there is any water remaining in your sump pump, and if it is actually working.

You will need a wrench and a bucket in this step. Go ahead and open the lid of your sump pump’s pit to see how far the pump has submerged underwater.

If there isn’t enough water in the pit, then this means there’s not enough water to be pumped out, and your sump pump isn’t working.

If the pump is submerged above the lid of the pit, however, then it should work – even if you haven’t turned on any main electrical supply or reset button on its backside yet!

Read More: How To Test A Sump Pump?

Step 5 – Check All Of the Components In Your Sump Pump’s Interior

The next step is to check all of the components inside your sump pump’s interior.

You have to remove everything from the sump pit so you can gain access to its interior. Once you do this, be sure to take a photo of what was in there so you know how to properly place them back once the problem has been addressed.

Resetting a sump pump will often resolve issues with water leakage. If you can’t find where the leak is coming from, then you may have to replace your unit altogether. You should also check for corroded wiring or any other problems that could be found in the interior of your sump pump.

Step 6 – Use The Reset Button

Using the reset button on your sump pump is typically an easy and effective way of fixing problems with it and getting it to start working again.

Turn off the power supply to your home or unplug it from its source if that’s an option.

Next, hold down the reset button of your sump pump for at least five seconds and release it. Then, turn the power back on to your home and check if the pump is moving water or not.

The reset button can be found in between your sump’s side panel.

Make sure to press it in slowly and then gradually increase your pressure on it. Continue pressing the button until you hear a click – this will reset your pump!

What If There Is No Reset Button?

If there is no reset button on your sump pump, then you might have to replace it if the pump isn’t working properly. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you with the problem, but if that’s not an option for you then contact a plumber.

Step 7 – Check For Other Problems

If none of these steps have resolved the issues you’re having with your sump pump, you should check for other problems that might be causing it to break down or not start working.

These problems may include obstructions, issues with the float switch’s movement, and any wiring problems. It is also very possible that the motor inside your sump pump has burned out or isn’t operating anymore because of various factors – some of which are listed below.

  • obstruction of the impeller blades, which are responsible for pumping water out of your sump pump’s pit;
  • overloading of the motor due to too much electrical current passing through it; or,
  • running it while it is completely submerged in water.

It is also possible that there might be some problems concerning the switch itself, in which case you should either check with an electrician or look for a replacement.

Until then, why not check out the tips below in order to make sure that your sump pump can work efficiently and effectively!

  1. Make sure that there are no obstructions inside the water pit of your sump pump – this includes leaves, debris, hair, etc.
  2. If you have an alarm system alongside your sump pump, make sure that the pump is turned on! Otherwise, it will not work correctly and might even cause problems with your security system.
  3. Try to find out whether or not there are any wiring issues with your sump pump – this includes checking for short circuits and loose wires.
  4. Check your sump pump’s RPM by using a specialized tool (RPM meter). If the RPMs are too low, it might indicate some problems with the impeller blades or float switch.

Is Your Sump Pump Still Not Working?

If the pump is still not working, then you may need to replace it. Make sure to check all of the components of your sump pump and see if they’re working properly before doing so.

You can contact a plumber or an electrician for help on this matter. They’ll be able to identify the problem with your unit and resolve it accordingly.

You should note that you should replace your sump pump every five years to ensure you don’t experience any future problems.

All in all, you just have to be patient and follow these instructions if you want to fix your sump pump!

sump pump problems could be caused by:

  • defects in workmanship;
  • an electrical failure; or,
  • a flooded pit.

The cost of fixing these problems may vary from one sump pump model to another. For example, if your sump pump has a defective impeller blade, this might only cost you $10 to fix (for the replacement blade).

If, on the other hand, you need to have your sump pump motor replaced due to defects in workmanship or an electrical failure, then this may cost anywhere between $50 and $200.

Sale
Zoeller 98-0001 115-Volt 1/2 Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump …
  • 1/2 HP pump for residential sump pits or septic tanks
  • Automatic model with integral float switch, 1½" discharge, passes 1/2" solids
  • Performance: 72 GPM at 5' head, shut-off: 23' TDH
  • All cast iron construction with stainless steel guard and handle
  • 100% factory tested

If your sump pump has a flooded pit due to a plugged discharge line or a defective float switch, then you might have to pay up to $300 for the service.

In any case, make sure that you weigh all of your options before making a final decision about what needs to be done. If you cannot afford the cost of repairs, then you may want to consider buying a new sump pump instead.

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