How often do you replace your main sump pump?

[Anonymous]

For people with a home in a high water table area... with a sump pump that regularly runs during heavy storms, how often do you replace your main pump?

I know to check it periodically, but do you just go "well it's been 8 years, we should just be proactive."

[Anonymous]

When it fails and is running on the back up. Then I swap it the next day.

[Anonymous]

Our sump pump runs every time it rains because we have basement stairs. Just pointing out that it doesn’t necessarily mean a water table problem.

I have ours on a five years-ish schedule, but it’s more like the first plumbing event after five years. Like when I need a plumber for something else, I bundle it or at least get a quote.

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about the pump or the battery? We replace our battery regularly but I've never thought to replace the pump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about the pump or the battery? We replace our battery regularly but I've never thought to replace the pump.

Pumps wear out over time. I take mine out and clean it twice a year and fill up the sump pit with fresh water and run the pump. Any kind on noise that sounds like something is off and I replace it. So far that's worked for me

[Anonymous]

20 years not service or replacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20 years not service or replacement.

Are you living a place with a high water table though? Does the sump pump actually run during storms and heavy rain? Or is it just there because your house was just built with one?

[Anonymous]

Eight years is a good run, but you might be getting close to borrowed time. I think five to seven is typical, barring issues others have mentioned. There also still seem to be supply chain delays at times, so you might want to get estimates and/or order now. Ours has a battery backup as well, which we’ve needed and has worked well.

[Anonymous]

We’ve replaced 4 sump pumps in less than 10 years. Last replacement, we upgraded to a dual switch sump pump. We might live on top of a naturally occurring water spring as the sump pump runs often.

We also maintain multiple water detectors, battery and wi fi operated, on the floor of the basement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years not service or replacement.

Are you living a place with a high water table though? Does the sump pump actually run during storms and heavy rain? Or is it just there because your house was just built with one?

I don’t know, I live in Montgomery County with walk out basement house.
The sump pump is in a basement corner closet and it’s been out of sight out of mind.

[Anonymous]

Mine is 10 years old and I was wondering the same thing.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the business. The pumps we install are warrantied for 5 years but I've seen them fail in 2 years and I've seen 20 year old pumps that still work. In the latter case, it's because the pump rarely, if ever pumps any water.

If your pump is really active, of course you can let it go until it fails but then you risk a flooded basement. Unless you know when it fails. It's best to have a battery back-up that will sound an alarm if the back-up pump activates when you have power, indicating a failure of the primary pump (or someone unplugged, it, breaker tripped, etc.). That way, you're covered in the event of a power outage, or any failure of the primary pump. I'd also recommend a service plan or for you to do it yourself by cleaning out the sump basin every 6 months or so. Yearly at a minimum and check that the check-valve works.

If you just want to risk it with one pump and no back-up, I'd recommend swapping it out about every 5 years. A lot of them fail because of the float switch.