Home Maintenance & Warranty Guide

Sump Pump and Sump Pump Pit

Sump pumps are warranted for 1 year. Damages caused by sump pump failure are not warranted and are a part of homeowner’s insurance.

How the Sump Pump Works

Sump pumps work to discharge damaging ground water away from the foundation of the home. Ground water collects in to a pit beneath the basement floor through a network of porous pipes called weeping tiles installed at the outside base of the foundation. When the water reaches a certain level inside the pit, the sump pump engages and empties the pit through a discharge pipe located at the side of the house.

Sump Pump Discharge

You must remove the exterior sump hose from your sump pump line in fall and winter, and place
a splash pad beneath the discharge to prevent soil erosion. If left connected, the hose will freeze and obstruct the flow of water and this obstruction could possibly burn out your sump pump. This may also cause a backup of water under the basement floor causing it to flood and/or heave.

You must reattach the exterior sump hose in spring and summer to ensure positive drainage away from your foundation walls.

Sump Pump Maintenance

Periodically operate the sump pump to help prevent the seals from drying out. To do this, remove the sump pump plug, draw air from the short plastic tester tube extending from the plug and immediately plug it back in. This should make the pump operate for a few seconds. If your sump pump does not have a tester tube, pour enough water in to the pit to cause the pump to operate for at least 30 seconds.

Periodically check the pit for soil seepage from the weeping tiles. If there is soil in the bottom of the pit, unplug the sump pump, remove it, and clean the pit and pump. These steps will ensure the proper operation of your sump pump.

Troubleshooting

If the pump fails to function:

1. Ensure that the power source is turned on. If it is;
2. Disconnect the power source and look to see if the pump is clogged. Do not check a powered pump. If the problem persists;
3. Call Broadview Warranty in the first year. After the warranty period has ended, call the pump manufacturer for the name of a qualified service company.