Spring is when a Portland basement finds out whether its sump pump works. About 69 inches of snow falls in a typical year, and when it melts alongside spring rain, groundwater rises and pumps that sat idle all winter suddenly have to run. This checklist takes about 15 minutes and is best done before the thaw. For every plumbing service, see our main page on plumbers in Portland, ME.
The checklist
Check the power
Make sure the pump is plugged in and the outlet works. Many pumps are on GFCI outlets, which can trip without anyone noticing.
Clean the pit
Remove debris, gravel and silt that can clog the intake or jam the float.
Test it with water
Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should start, empty the pit and shut off on its own.
Watch the float
It should rise and fall freely without catching on the pump, the cord or the pit wall.
Listen and watch after it stops
Water flowing back into the pit means the check valve has failed. Grinding or rattling means the pump may be wearing out.
Check the discharge outside
The line should be clear of snow, ice and debris and drain away from the foundation.
Where should the water go?
Outside, away from the house, and not into the sewer. Portland and Westbrook have asked property owners to disconnect sumps and roof drains from the sewer system, because storm runoff can overwhelm the sewers and send untreated sewage into the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay. If your pump ties into a drain or sewer line, ask a plumber about rerouting it. See sump pump repair.
Backup power and alarms
Spring storms can knock out power right when the pump is needed most. A battery backup pump keeps going during an outage, and a simple water alarm warns you if the pit is filling faster than the pump can keep up. Both are worth considering if your basement has flooded before, if you store anything valuable down there or if you're often away.
When to call a plumber
- the pump doesn't start, or hums without pumping
- it runs constantly or cycles on and off rapidly
- water flows back into the pit after it stops
- the discharge line is frozen, broken or ties into the sewer
- water shows up in a basement that doesn't have a pump yet
If sewage rather than groundwater is coming into the basement, read sewer backup in the basement instead.