What is the normal life expectancy of a sump pump? (2023)

What is the average life expectancy of a sump pump?

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. And once it does, water damage to your home and the belongings within it can follow closely behind.

On average, sump pumps need to be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Repairing a sump pump older than that would cost around the same price as a replacement, with much less of a return on your investment.

As mentioned above, the average sump pump lifespan is between five and seven years, although some units last several decades. Certain pedestal pumps can even run for as long as 30 years.

A typical sump pump, when installed correctly in an appropriate application, can usually be expected to have a lifespan of anywhere between 7 – 10 years depending on the application. However, every once in a while, you might run across an exception to the norm.

Sump Pump Replacement Cost

Pedestal sump pump replacement costs range from $400 to $900, for an average cost of $650. Submersible sump pump replacement costs range from $800 to $2,000, for an average cost of $1,400.

Pedestal sump pumps have a particularly long lifespan because the motor is held up on a pedestal above the water, while submersible sump pumps may last for less time because of the constant contact with water.

The most common mechanical failure in a sump pump occurs when the switch becomes stuck in the ON or OFF position, causing the pump to run continuously or not at all. Sump pumps can fail for a variety of reasons, including power outages, lack of maintenance, old age or improper installation.

Should a sump pump be cleaned out?

Due to the nature of this helpful household appliance, sump pumps require regular cleaning to keep their systems functioning properly. We suggest annual sump pump cleaning, including removing and washing off the pump, clearing the check valve, removing water and debris from the pit, and more.

While plumbers are the appropriate contractor to call for a plumbing leak, a proper and effective sump pump installation should be completed by a certified basement waterproofing specialist. Contact a local dealer today!

Submersible sump pumps can last for up to 15 years as long as they're maintained properly. Pedestal sump pumps can last even longer, up to 25 years, if given regular maintenance. Regularly maintaining your sump pump includes cleaning it, checking the valve, cleaning the filter, and testing it at least once a year.

First up on our list of the best sump pumps of 2023 is the Wayne CDU1000 Sump Pump. Home Depot customers rate it at 4.7 out of 5, and it earns a 4.6 at Amazon. That's not surprising. After 70 years of building high-quality pumps, Wayne has it figured out.

As long as you have requested the necessary inspections and disclosures, the presence of a sump pump should not prevent you from buying a home. If the inspection turns up with any water damage, be ready to negotiate. Ask the seller to either make repairs or lower the selling price.

Many plumbers solve only simple sump pump problems. But a sump pump is often part of a system that keeps the basement or crawl space dry. So if the water problem in your basement or crawl space extends beyond your sump pump, a plumber likely won't be able to help.

The main difference between a Sump Pit and a Sump Pump is that the Sump Pit is the water collection hole in your basement or crawlspace. A sump pit won't be connected to the main sewer line, thus you need a Sump Pump to remove the water.

There are ways you as a homeowner can protect your property from suffering enormous amounts of damage from flooding, including a sump pump. Sometimes overlooked, however, are alternative drainage systems like French drains, gutters, and waterproofing work that may serve as a more effective protective measurement.

Cast iron is typically stronger than aluminum and thermoplastic, but aluminum will not rust over time as cast-iron pumps will.

Overworked Sump Pump

Sump pumps safely discharge water that would otherwise flood a home's basement or foundation safely away from the property. Heavy rains can cause your sump pump to work overtime to protect your home against flooding. This increases the risk of the sump pump overheating or getting burned out.

What HP is best for a sump pump?

There is no “correct” size. The horsepower requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected to the sump, the depth to groundwater, the depth of the basement and many other factors. A 1/3 horsepower (hp) pump is satisfactory for most houses, but a 1/2 hp pump doesn't cost that much more.

Some homeowners assume that if their sump pump backs up, the damages will be covered under the “Sewer and Drain Back-ups” portion of their policy. But most sump pump failure is not covered under regular homeowners insurance policies unless you specifically add the appropriate rider.

Without a working sump pump, the excess water from a serious storm will begin to accumulate at the lowest point in your home. That point may be the foundation, crawlspace or basement. No matter where the water settles, it will begin to warp wood, cause rot and lead to mold growth.

A sump pump can clog up in many ways:

The sump pit (the hole in which the sump pump sits) gets clogged with dirt and debris. The pump's mechanical parts become clogged and dirty over time, especially if the sump sits straight against the bottom of a dirty sump pit where silt typically accumulates.

Maybe not surprisingly, a clogged sump pump intake is one of the most common sump pump problems. You also run the chance of encountering more clogs because of a lack of maintenance and if your sump pump is lidless. Over time, dirt and other debris can build up within a pump without a lid.

If your pump is unplugged in either of these situations, the consequences can be disastrous. In the worst cases, enough water can flow into the sump pit to overfill the top of the weeping tile terminations and even the pit, itself. This water can cause a mini-flood in the basement if it overspills the top of the sump.

When a sump pump fails, the result is often a flooded basement and expensive water damage. It doesn't take a lot of water to cause major problems. A small amount of standing water on your basement floor can quickly turn into a nasty mold problem.

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.

Normally, it is recommended that they are tested every three to four months, but in many cases, it may be wise to test and clean it more often. Tests should involve the opening of the inlet screen and cleaning it out, which is most important.

Installing a sump pump is certainly not an easy task and it can take 6 to 8 hours, based on how thick the basement floor is. First and foremost, you need to determine where is the water coming from, since these pumps treat the effect, not the cause.

How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?

A sump pump should only run when it is needed. This could be a significant amount, and for various reasons. If you live in a very wet climate, then the water table may be higher than your basement floor, which means that the pump could run 2 or 3 times a day for a couple of minutes.

A sump pump should only run when it is needed because the water in the basement has reached a certain level. Those who live in areas where it rains frequently will see their sump pump running fairly often. In some cases, it might turn on a few times per day.

Install a sump pump with a battery backup system, as the pump is often needed when electrical power is compromised due to storm conditions. A better solution is to consider installing an emergency electrical generator. This will operate your home's sump pump and heating system if the power fails.

A DIY remedy to remove sump pump odors is to use a bleach solution in the sump pit. Create a diluted bleach solution, 1 cup bleach for every 1 gallon of fresh water. Pour the solution into the sump basin until water volume activates the float switch and the sump pump turns on.

This can build up on the sump pump's impeller and cause damage. DON'T use concentrated bleach or vinegar on your sump pump. When using the recommended cleaning compounds, follow the needed water dilution to keep your sump pump safe. DON'T disassemble the unit invasively while cleaning.

If you have excessive odors coming from the pump, dropping a chlorine tablet in the basin every few months should help get rid of any algae growth causing the smell. Chlorine will also help neutralize any iron ore algae and prevent it from clogging the pump.

The most energy-efficient sump pumps use less than 0.5 horsepower. A ⅓ horsepower sump pump uses around 800-1050W while running and 13,000-4,100W to start up, whereas a 0.5-hp sump pump uses more than 1.5 times that amount just to start up.

Normally the only sound a sump pump makes is a low continuous hum, but if it starts making loud and unusual noises (sometimes described as sounding like a washing machine), then it's time for a repair. A rattling or grinding noise can indicate something wrong with the impeller or fan. Failure to turn on.

The ideal depth is at or below the frost line. Unfortunately in our area, that depths is 5 feet and most lots don't allow for that kind of depth when installing an underground discharge line.

Never unplug your sump pump.

While you might think you don't need your sump pump drain hose over the winter months, you shouldn't unplug it entirely. If a warm front comes through, snow melts and a rainstorm hits, you might end up with a wet basement all because you forgot to plug your sump pump back in.

What is a good size sump pump?

The average home with an average water table needs no more than a 1/3 HP sump pump. It is the most common sized sump pump and handles most water tables easily. A 1/3 HP sump pump can handle 7 to 10 feet vertical lift off the sump pump, a 90-degree elbow and a horizontal pipe running between 3 and 25 feet.

The biggest difference is the amount of water the pumps move and the size of debris the pump can handle. Wayne moves a much higher rate of water but does not pass larger solids. Zoeller moves a lower rate of water but can pass larger solids.