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The Average Lifespan of a Sump Pump

A sump pump may sit unassumingly in the corner of your basement or crawl space, but it’s still a core piece of equipment within your home’s infrastructure. Without it, you could be faced with the potential of extensive water damage. But with all the work it does behind the scenes, it makes sense that the sump pump won’t last forever. The eventuality of failure leaves many homeowners wondering exactly how long they can expect their sump pumps to last and if there’s anything they can do to make sure they get the most out of their investment. After all, the last thing anyone wants is for their pump to fail precisely when they need it most.

The good news is that with the right maintenance and care, you can extend the life of your sump pump and get the most out of your investment. Below, our expert plumbers break down the average lifespan of a sump pump, the warning signs that it might be time for a replacement, and tips for prolonging its performance.

How Long Does a Sump Pump Last?

On average, you can expect a quality, professionally installed sump pump to last for approximately 7 to 10 years. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. We’ve seen cheap, poorly maintained pumps fail in as little as two years, while some high-end, well-cared-for units can continue to operate effectively for well over a decade.

The actual lifespan of your sump pump depends on a variety of critical factors, such as:

The Type of Sump Pump

There are two main types of residential sump pumps, and their design directly impacts their durability. Submersible pumpsare the most common type. With this model, the entire unit, including the motor, sits down inside the sump pit, submerged in water. This design has two key advantages: the water helps to cool the motor, preventing overheating and extending its life, and the cast-iron housing used in most quality models is extremely durable. They are also quieter since they operate below the floor.

With pedestal pumps, a long column extends up from the pit, and the motor sits on top, out of the water. While this makes service easier, the motors are air-cooled and often made with less robust materials. They are generally less expensive but typically have a shorter lifespan than their submersible counterparts.

Frequency of Use

A sump pump in a home with a high water table or in a region with frequent rainfall will run far more often than one in a drier climate. And the more cycles a pump runs, the more wear and tear is placed on its motor, bearings, and float switch. Therefore, a pump that runs every day will naturally have a shorter lifespan than one that only activates a few times per year.

Quality of the Unit

As with most things, you get what you pay for. A cheaper, plastic-bodied pump from a big-box store simply won’t stand up to the rigors of service like a professional-grade, cast-iron submersible pump will. The internal components, from the motor windings to the impeller, are built to a higher standard in premium models, leading to greater reliability and a longer service life.

The Condition of the Check Valve

This small but vital component is installed on the discharge pipe. It’s a one-way valve that prevents water from flowing back into the pit after the pump shuts off. Without a functioning check valve, the water that was just pumped out will flow back in, forcing the pump to turn on again to pump out the same water. This short cycling dramatically increases wear and tear and can burn out a motor prematurely.

Discharge Pipe Run

The length and height that the pump must push water to get it away from your foundation also impact its workload. For example, a pump in a deep basement that has to push water 10 feet up and then 20 feet horizontally is working much harder than a pump in a shallow crawl space. An undersized motor for a demanding discharge run will also constantly struggle, leading to early failure.

Telltale Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Sump Pump

A sump pump failure is not something you want to discover during a torrential downpour. Fortunately, they often provide warning signs that they are nearing the end of their service life before this is even your reality.

If you notice any of the following problems, call a professional for an inspection:

• Your Unit Is Old: If your sump pump is over 10 years old, it’s living on borrowed time. Proactively replacing an aging unit is one of the smartest investments you can make to prevent a flooded basement. After all, the cost of a new pump is a fraction of the cost of water damage restoration.
• Loud or Strange Noises: Your sump pump should operate at a low hum. If you start hearing loud grinding, rattling, or clunking sounds, there may be worn or damaged motor bearings or a jammed impeller (the fan-like component that pushes the water).
• Excessive Vibration: Is your unit shaking violently when it runs? The impeller may be bent or damaged. And if the problem isn’t addressed as soon as possible, the imbalanced impeller can cause a cascading effect that burns out the entire motor assembly.
• Running Constantly: If your pump runs continuously, regardless of the weather, you may have a faulty or stuck float switch, which is the mechanism that tells the pump when to turn on and off. Alternatively, the frequent running could be a sign that the pump is underpowered for the amount of water coming in or that the check valve has failed.
• Visible Rust or Corrosion:Take a look at your pump. If you see significant rust, especially flakes of it in the sump pit, the metal components are corroding. This corrosion will eventually compromise the pump’s integrity, so you will want to invest in a new device ASAP.

How to Extend the Life of Your Sump Pump

You can’t stop time, but you can absolutely maximize your sump pump’s lifespan with regular, simple maintenance. Think of it like changing the oil in your car — a little preventative care goes a long way.

Test It

The easiest and most important thing you can do is test the pump on a quarterly basis. Slowly pour a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit. The float should rise with the water, activate the pump, and the pump should drain the water quickly and shut off.

Clean the Pit

Remove the pump (after unplugging it!) and clean out any dirt, gravel, rocks, or other debris from the bottom of the pit. This sediment can be sucked into the pump, clogging the intake and damaging the impeller.

When you do this, be sure to also go outside and clear the discharge pipe of dirt, mulch, animal nests, or ice. All of these tasks should be completed about every three months.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

While DIY checks are great, having a professional plumber inspect your system once a year is the best way to catch developing problems. A sump pump service will include:

• A full removal and cleaning of the pump and its intake screen.
• Inspection of the impeller for wear or damage.
• Testing the check valve to ensure it’s holding properly.
• Cleaning the sump pit and liner.
• Testing the float switch for proper activation.
• Checking the electrical connections for safety and security.
• Testing the battery backup system, if you have one.