{"id":1211,"date":"2022-10-10T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T15:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2026-09-28T18:20:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T23:20:58","slug":"how-to-inspect-your-sump-pump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/drain-and-sewer-service\/how-to-inspect-your-sump-pump\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Inspect Your Sump Pump"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-to-Inspect-Your-Sump-Pump-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Inspecting-your-sump-pump-for-cracks-and-damage\" class=\"wp-image-1212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-to-Inspect-Your-Sump-Pump-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-to-Inspect-Your-Sump-Pump-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-to-Inspect-Your-Sump-Pump.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspecting your sump pump can be the difference between repairing or replacing it. It\u2019s advised to inspect your sump pump at least once per year, and once after every extreme weather event that causes your sump pump to work harder than normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s time to check your sump pump. This brief inspection checklist will highlight any issues with your pump so you can decide if it\u2019s a DIY project, or if you need to contact&nbsp;<a href=\"\/plumbing\/sump-pump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sump pump St. Peters MO<\/a>&nbsp;professionals to repair it for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>When Should You Schedule Professional Sump Pump Maintenance?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A sump pump should receive professional attention when routine checks reveal performance problems or when the system has been under unusual strain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After severe storms or periods of unusually heavy use<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the pump runs longer or more frequently than normal<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If <a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/signs-your-sump-pump-needs-repair\/\">unusual noises<\/a> or inconsistent operation develop<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the system has not received professional maintenance recently<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you cannot confirm that the pump is operating reliably<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional plumbing maintenance services can address developing issues before they lead to pump failure or water damage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps to Inspect Your Sump Pump<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to inspect every element of your sump pump. This list covers every inspection point you need to focus on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Check the Pit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pit is the basin that collects water before the pump removes it. Check the width and depth of your pit. It\u2019s recommended to have 18\u201d in width and at least 24\u201d in depth. This gives your pump the capacity to pump without worrying about overflow. Is the pit cracked or worn down? Use PPE such as disposable latex gloves, and inspect the pit for any damages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Inspect the Valve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sump pumps need a check valve to prevent liquid from backing up into the pump. These can be hard to inspect without the proper tools. Running a test by slowly pouring water around your sump pump and paying attention to how it operates is the first step. If you notice any water backing up, you either have a bigger DIY project on your hands, or you need to contact a professional to replace the check valve.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Verify Backup Power Source<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/plumbing\/general-plumbing\/sump-pump\">sump pump<\/a> uses a battery as a backup power source, find out when it was last replaced. These batteries typically last for up to five years. If you aren\u2019t sure when the battery was last replaced, you can use a multimeter to inspect its voltage. We want to see 12.2V or higher, otherwise, it indicates an issue with the battery and it may need to be replaced upon further testing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Cover Integrity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your sump pump cover prevents water from evaporating into your basement. If it\u2019s cracked or doesn\u2019t fit properly, lit needs to be replaced. A professional can determine the integrity of the cover seal with certainty.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Discharge Location and Hose<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your discharge hose should carry excess water at least 20 feet away from your home. This reduces the risk of water draining back into your home. You should test your sump pump by slowly pouring water around the sump pump until it kicks on. Pay attention to the end of your hose to ensure the water is pumped through completely, and that there are no blocks. One test should be enough to ensure your sump pump is working properly.<\/span> Gurgling noises can be among the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/signs-your-sump-pump-needs-repair\/\">signs your sump pump needs repair<\/a>, especially if its discharge line is blocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hire a Professional to Inspect Your Sump Pump Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you aren\u2019t able to thoroughly inspect your sump pump and verify that everything is working properly, it\u2019s best to contact a professional. Inspection and routine maintenance from a trained professional will save you thousands compared to the home damage that can happen from a dysfunctional pump during extreme weather conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><b>For fast and effective sump pump inspections, repairs, and replacements, <\/b><a href=\"\/contact\/send-message\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>contact us today<\/b><\/a><b> to schedule an appointment.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s time to check your sump pump. This brief inspection checklist will highlight any issues with your pump so you can decide if it\u2019s a DIY project, or if you need to contact sump pump St. Peters MO professionals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,81],"tags":[110,155],"class_list":["post-1211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drain-and-sewer-service","category-plumbing-service","tag-st-peters","tag-sump-pump"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1211"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1971,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions\/1971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}