Some homes have one or more sump pits built into the basement floor. The primary function of a home’s sump pit is to collect water from the foundation drain, floor drains, and the garage sand trap. A sump pit typically has a limited capacity (up to 200 liters) and can therefore fill up quickly during heavy rain or snowmelt. An electric pump is the device of choice for draining the sump pit.

The two most commonly used types of pumps are the “submersible pump” and the “vertical pump.” Each of these models offers advantages and disadvantages, which can influence the homeowner’s choice. Submersible models are generally more expensive, as they are more robust and compact. This type of pump has the advantage of being completely concealed within the sump, making it less bulky. However, it is vulnerable to water ingress into the motor since the motor is completely submerged.

Conversely, the motor in column-type models is located outside the sump and does not come into contact with the water inside it. However, this type of pump—which is generally less expensive to purchase—has a design that is more susceptible to mechanical failure.

The most common failures for both types of pumps are:

• Debris in the sump that accumulates at the pump inlet due to suction, thereby blocking or restricting the flow of water to be pumped, which can cause the sump to overflow. Stones can also enter the impeller and damage it;
• Failure of the electric motor or its bearings;
• Failure of the float switch or its mounting components;
• Breakage of the drive shaft, which is usually made of plastic (especially in column pumps);
• Breakage of the impeller, although less common;
• Improper use. In fact, careless handling can damage several components, such as the float switch, the power cord, the impeller housing, etc.

A sump overflow can also be caused by a malfunction in one of the devices associated with the pump installation, such as:

• A blockage in the discharge pipe;
• A damaged, blocked, or missing check valve;
• The float switch’s movement being impeded by an obstruction in the sump;
• Damage to the mechanical seal on the rotating shaft due to the sump running dry;
• An incorrect length of the float switch cord;
• A power outage;
• Clogging due to ochre deposits.

Finally, there are a few precautions to take to prevent a sump from overflowing, such as installing a backup pump connected to a different electrical circuit than the main pump, or a battery-powered backup pump.

There are also pumps that use water from the municipal water supply as a power source, but these are not accepted everywhere and tend to have low capacity.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding a claim involving the installation of pumps!