Sump Pump Trouble Shooting Guide
A 5-minute sump pump test to avoid a flooded basement
1. Why you should test
- Sump pumps fail silently—usually going unnoticed until you really need it.
- A two-minute health check now beats hours with a wet-shop-vac later.
2. What you need:
| Tool | Why |
|---|---|
| 5-gallon bucket of water | Simulates sump crock filling with water. |
| Small lamp or phone charger | Confirms the outlet has power. |
| 15 seconds of patience | For a hard reset (see Step 4). |
3. Quick-Start Test (Pass/Fail)
- Pour the full 5-gallon bucket into the pit.
- Watch for the float rise.
- Listen—you should hear the motor kick on and see water disappear.
Pass: Pump runs and pit drains. High-five! Your basement’s dry.
Fail: Silence? Move to the troubleshooting checklist.
4. Troubleshooting Checklist
| Check | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Power at outlet | Plug in a lamp/phone charger. | Lights on GFCI outlet? Outlet is live. |
| GFCI tripped? | Press RESET on the outlet. |
Green light stays on. |
| Built-in reset | Press “TEST/RESET” on pump cord. | Pump runs? Good. |
| Hard power cycle | Unplug 15 sec, plug back in. | Retry water test. |
| Manual float lift | Lift float arm carefully. | Pump whirs? Replace float soon. |
5. Still no luck?
Silence usually means a failed switch, impeller, or motor. Kettle Moraine Plumbing Services can help. Call our team today..
Need a Rescue?
We install high-capacity pumps with battery backups and smart alarms.
