A sump pump sits in a hole in your basement floor and does nothing most of the year, until a storm or spring melt makes it the most important appliance in the house. That's why knowing its age matters.
The usual lifespan
Many sump pumps last somewhere around 7 to 10 years. Some fail sooner and some run longer, depending on the pump's quality and how hard it works. A pump in a high-water-table neighborhood that runs every few minutes each spring wears out faster than one that only kicks on after big storms.
What wears a pump out
- Constant cycling. Turning on and off every minute is hard on the motor and switch.
- A stuck or tangled float. The switch can jam against the basin wall or the power cord.
- Debris in the basin. Silt and gravel get pulled into the impeller.
- No check valve. Water falls back into the basin after each cycle, so the pump has to move it twice.
- An undersized pump. It runs longer and hotter than it should.
Warning signs
Replace or have the pump checked if it hums without moving water, runs when the basin is empty, makes grinding or rattling noises, or lets water rise near the top of the basin during storms. Rust, a burning smell or a tripped breaker are also bad signs.
Replace it on your schedule
If your pump is near or past 10 years old, replacing it before spring is cheaper than drying out a finished lower level. While you're at it, add a battery backup; power outages and heavy rain tend to arrive together.
Quick test: slowly pour a bucket of water into the basin. The pump should switch on, empty it, and shut off cleanly. If it doesn't, call a pro before the next storm.