PSA: My basement sump pump gave up during a 3-inch rainstorm last Tuesday

I came home to about two inches of water across the entire floor, ruining a stack of old hardwood I had stored down there. The backup battery alarm was beeping, but the main pump just quit. I spent the next six hours with a shop vac and a rented dehumidifier, which cost me $75 for the day. Some folks say you should replace the whole unit every five years no matter what, while others run them until they fail. Has anyone else had a pump die at the worst possible moment, and what's your replacement rule?

3 comments

3 Comments

angelaellis2mo ago

Honestly, that five year rule sounds like a waste of good money. I've had the same pump going strong for over twelve years now. It's all about checking it every spring, pouring a bucket of water in the pit to make sure it kicks on. A good pump is built to last, and tossing one that still works just feeds the landfill. Regular testing is way smarter than a calendar.

andrew_kelly1mo ago

Heard this from my buddy Tom who had the same thing happen. His pump died during a spring storm and he spent the whole night bailing with a bucket while his wife laughed and took video for Facebook. He just buys a new one every four years now and keeps the old one as a spare.

nora5352mo ago

Replace the pump every five years, period. I learned the hard way too when mine failed during a hurricane. Now I buy the pump and battery backup as a set, and I write the install date on the unit with a sharpie.