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If the basement in your Chattanooga, TN home is prone to floods, severe weather and heavy rain can be a nightmare. If you have a finished basement or use your basement for storage, a flood can cause a massive amount of damage. Also, the moisture from the flood can promote mold growth in your basement, which can be difficult and expensive to eradicate.

Fortunately, a sump pump can be the answer to all your problems. A sump pump is a submersible device installed in a sump pump pit dug at the lowest point in your basement. When it rains heavily, and the soil around your home becomes oversaturated, the water will fill the sump pit, and the sump pump with turn on automatically. The water will be pumped out and drained into a storm drain nearby, preventing your basement from flooding.

If you have a sump pump installed, it is essential that you can recognize the signs that it isn’t working properly, so you can schedule an appointment with a professional in sump pump services. If you can recognize the signs early, you can prevent your basement from becoming flooded the next time it rains.

#1 Strange Sounds

If your sump pump is functioning properly, it should be relatively quiet. If you hear strange sounds when it is running, you should contact a plumber specializing in sump pump services. Strange sounds could be due to several different issues, including:

• Worn or damaged parts
• A failed motor bearing
• The fan that pulls the water into the pump is jammed or damaged

You will need a plumber specializing in sump pump services to inspect the pump to determine what is causing the strange noise. If you allow the problem to persist, the issue will get worse.

#2 Excessive Vibration When the Pump Is Running

Your sump pump’s impeller is essential for it to work properly. The impeller works like a propeller, except it pulls things in rather than propelling them along. The impeller is responsible for pulling the excess water into the sump pump to be drained away from the area.

If the impeller is bent or damaged, it will cause the sump pump to wobble and cause it to vibrate.

When you schedule an appointment with a plumber specializing in sump pump services, they will inspect the impeller to determine if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced. If the impeller is bent, it is impossible to bend it back, and you may need to have your sump pump in your basement replaced.

#3 Infrequent Use

Because it doesn’t rain heavily in Chattanooga, TX every day, your sump pump won’t kick on daily. Unfortunately, limited use can reduce your pump’s maximum lifespan. The last thing you want is to find out that your sump pump has failed during a severe rainstorm. The best way to prevent this is to call a plumber specializing in sump pump services. A plumber can test your sump pump regularly to ensure it will be ready for the next heavy rainstorm.

#4 The Sump Pump Runs All the Time

The sump pump in your Chattanooga, TN basement is designed to turn on only when there has been a heavy rainstorm, and water needs to be drained. If your sump pump is constantly running, even when it hasn’t rained, you should call a plumber who offers sump pump services.

The most common cause of this problem is a switch issue. If the switch isn’t functioning properly, the pump will run continuously, regardless of the weather. A plumber who offers sump pump servicing can inspect the switch to determine if it is causing the problem.

The issue could also be that your sump pump is unable to handle the water load. If this is the case, you will need to have your sump pump replaced.

#5 Irregular Cycling

If your sump pump is cycling on and off often when it is raining heavily, you will need the help of a plumber who offers sump pump services. The float switch could be adjusted incorrectly, and an adjustment will solve the problem. There could also be an issue with the wiring that is causing the irregular cycling. It would take a professional in sump pumps to determine the cause of the problem so they can make the necessary repair. If you wait too long to make the call, you will end up in a flooded basement.

#6 Visible Rust

Visible rust is a serious issue that would require the assistance of a plumber specializing in sump pumps. The battery terminals could be rusty, which will cause issues when the sump pump needs to turn on and off. It could also be iron bacteria that can clog the sump pump.

If you call a professional in sump pumps right away, you can be sure your pump will be ready for the next heavy rainfall.

#6 The Pump Runs For Too Long

If you didn’t have a plumber who offers sump pump servicing install your pump, it could run for longer than it needs to. There is a science to selecting the best sump pump to meet your needs. First, you have to choose a pump with enough horsepower to handle the volume of water and that can handle the distance to the storm drain where the water is pumped. Complex calculations also need to be made to determine the reservoir dimensions, the plumbing pathways, and the pipe diameters. One miscalculation can cause your sump pump to run for too long.

It is best to have a professional in sump pumps handle the entire installation process to prevent this issue and other issues from occurring.

Why Choose Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air?

If you want to have a sump pump installed in your Chattanooga, TN home, or if you need to have your pump repaired, schedule an appointment with Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air. We have been serving customers in the area since 1989 and offer a variety of plumbing services, including sump pump services. We also offer HVAC services to keep your home comfortable all year long.

To schedule an appointment for sump pump services or any other service we provide, give us a call today.