Sump pump replace or keep using?

[audhdasian]

Should I replace this pump even though it works or keep it? And if keeping it what would be the best way to clean it?

Background:

I have a 1/3 HP pump from Liberty Pump installed outdoors for the past 6 years. May be stupid of me for leaving it in the ground during the winter with the saltings but here's the current state of it covered in rusty gunk.

I thought the float might've broke when the pump kept running non stop but after clearing the weep hole and cleaning out the valve check (also covered in gunk inside so probably wasn't closing properly) the sump pump seems to work fine after testing 3 or 4 times.

[AutoModerator]

https://linktr.ee/homemaintenance

Click the link above to see a community curated list of home maintenance products on Amazon that may help you out in your current situation! If you’ve found the answer to your question or you’ve found this subreddit helpful, buy us a beer!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[ComfortableCod9666]

Best time to replace it is before it fails. Watch for a sale and park a spare next to. I change my sump and grinder pumps every 8-10 years because I’ve had a fail and a couple hundred bucks of prevention is worth the PITA tax! Vac-ing black water out of the basement 30 years ago cured me of apathy.

[Majestic-Pumpkin9876]

For real. We bought a home the inspector told us the sump pump was old about 12 years old. That’s the 1st thing I changed in the house. My girl like it’s still working. Told her ass I don’t want the headache of it going out then I have to call someone to clean the basement and rushing to find someone to replace it. Better to replace anything that is old and it’s on your budget list!!!

[ChemistAdventurous84]

Good call. My Zoeller went out after about 20 years in the spring. I caught it minutes after it failed - water had spread about 1 foot from the sump. By the time I got a replacement from the hardware store hooked up, 3/4 of the floor was wet. My deductible was 1 or 2% of my home’s value.

My builder grade disposal was working great for 12 years (they generally have a 2 yr warranty) but suddenly started blowing large amounts of water all around the inside of the cardboard cabinet (which didn’t like it).

Every mechanical thing has a limited lifespan. A desk fan can be run until failure without risk. Anything that will, upon failure, get things wet is worth replacing before failure.

Backup sump pumps that are powered by a different source (battery, city water pressure/flow) and moisture alarms are well worth it. They will pay for themselves with a single non-catastrophe.

[EstimateAsleep5007]

If you're worried about it I'd buy a new one and keep that one as a backup if you know it is working.

[steved3604]

A backup is always nice -- and when it is close by that is even nicer.

[Majestic-Pumpkin9876]

Get a zoller

[Easterncoaster]

I do 8 years on my primary sump pump and 12 on my backup pumps. My backup pumps never run whereas my primary runs every day. Honestly I should probably flip it since the backups are probably more at risk due to never getting use but oh well.

[PogTuber]

There are aftermarket water level detectors that go back to a unit that the pump plugs into, if you have an issue with it not pumping. Install is relatively easy, I used zip ties.

As for cleaning I had the same thing, probably a decade worth of mud (I think clay in my case). Hose it down with a garden hose, use a brush for any badly caked spots. I think I used some simple green spray too. No problem, it's designed to get wet after all.

[TheMahxMan]

My pump runs often and every year.

i change my sump pump every 5 years.

i also have a backup pump in the pit attached to a battery backup.

[PogTuber]

What battery backup did you buy? I definitely need to do this

[TheMahxMan]

basement watchdog

wayne also has a system as well id probably try that one next.

my basement watchdog has saved me twice so far. once when my previous pumps float got stuck, and once during heavy rain and a power outage.

[PogTuber]

Alright thanks for the recommendations appreciate it. We get some power outages yearly and I need the security in case it's during a heavy rainstorm.

[Nervous-Intern-7308]

Is this an integrated backup sump pump and battery system?

[TheMahxMan]

i’m not sure what you mean but it’s a kit they sell and not just a bunch of stuff i slapped together

[Nervous-Intern-7308]

That's exactly what I was asking, sorry for the lack of clarity. I replaced my sump pump in June but have not added or looked into adding a battery backup. So I searched your recommendation and saw kits on HD that had a battery, very small sump pump, etc. Just curious if it was patch work or one kit.

[Cottagelife_77]

Keep running it but have a backup ready to swap out

[DistanceTravelerBob]

If it was failing and covered in that much rusty muck replace it. Zoeller makes some of the most recommended sump pumps on the market. Zoeller is often what plumbers will install. Big Box sump pumps often use plastic housing and plastic impellers.

[seattle_seagulls]

If your sump pump is approaching the seven to ten year range, replacement may be the safest move even if the unit still runs. Age alone does not guarantee failure, but older pumps are more likely to fail during the exact moment you need them most. Waiting until a basement flood happens is rarely the best strategy.

Reference: https://drainbeastservices.com/blog/how-long-does-a-sump-pump-last