Many new homeowners want to know if it is ever safe to unplug their sump pump.
While sump pumps can help home owners stay prepared for emergency flooding, they can also become very inconvenient and noisy when they are constantly running.
We recommend always keeping your sump pump plugged in unless you are cleaning the system. Your sump pump might be noisy and you may be tempted to unplug it to get a silent night of sleep but you may cause water damage in your basement if there is heavy rain.
In this guide we’ll take a look at the safest way to unplug your sump pump:
How can you tell if your sump pump is safe to unplug?
If you are going to unplug your sump pump it is important to wait until it is safe to unplug. Most modern sump pumps emit a loud, repetitive noise from the motor that can be heard from anywhere in the basement. In addition, the water in the sump pit may begin to bubble and make noise as well as water is draining. If your sump pump is making noise and there is no water in the pit it can be safe to unplug.
When Not To Unplug Your Sump Pump
If the basement or crawl space is flooding or you can hear water draining into the sump pit then do not unplug your pump. This can create back flow that can flood even more areas of your home.
Also, if the pump is unplugged it won’t be able to drain water from your basement!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unplug my sump pump overnight?
Yes this can be safe assuming the water level in your sump pit is low enough. Try to plug it back in as soon as possible to prevent back flow from flooding your basement. This is most common with loud sump pump that keep you up all night!
Can I unplug my sump pump if it isn’t running?
No, you can unplug your sump pump while it is running. It can still function even while it is turned off so there is no risk of flooding while the pump isn’t powered on.
Can I unplug my sump pump for cleaning?
Yes this can be safe assuming the water level in your sump pit is low enough. Try to plug it back in as soon as possible to prevent back flow from flooding your basement.
Can I unplug my sump pump if someone accidentally turned it off?
If your pump has been accidently unplugged you should plug it back in right away and check the water level in the pit.
Can I unplug my sump pump if it has an electrical fault?
If your sump pump and circuit breaker has an electrical fault you should unplug the pump, reset the breaker then re-plug in the sump pump to prevent basement flooding.
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