Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and confirming it switches on and empties the pit; check that the float moves freely, the pit is free of debris, the discharge line is clear and drains well away from the house, and the check valve works. Plan for power outages with a battery or water-powered backup and a high-water alarm.
- Test before spring rains and summer storms
- A stuck float is a common failure
- Discharge should flow well away from the foundation
- Most sump pumps stop when the power goes out
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Many Fairfax County homes with basements rely on a sump pump to move groundwater away from the foundation. When it fails during a storm, groundwater can rise through the pit and spread across a finished basement.
This checklist takes a few minutes and is worth doing a few times a year.
01
How Do You Test a Sump Pump?
- Make sure the pump is plugged into a working GFCI outlet
- Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit
- Confirm the pump switches on as the float rises
- Watch the pit empty and the pump shut off
- If nothing happens, check the breaker and GFCI before calling a plumber
02
What Else Should Be Checked?
- Remove debris and silt from the pit
- Make sure the float is not tangled with the cord or pit wall
- Check the check valve so water does not flow back into the pit
- Confirm the discharge line is not frozen, crushed or clogged
- Make sure discharge flows well away from the house, not back toward it
03
Planning for Power Outages
Storms that bring heavy rain often bring outages too. A battery backup pump, a water-powered backup (where water pressure allows) or a generator connection keeps water moving, and a high-water alarm warns you before water reaches the floor. A plumber can recommend the right setup for your basement.
04
When Should a Sump Pump Be Replaced?
Replace a pump that runs constantly, cycles on and off rapidly, makes grinding noises, fails the bucket test or is several years old and showing rust. Pumps are far cheaper than a flooded finished basement.
Sources & further reading
- Be Flood Ready and Resilient — Fairfax County Stormwater Management
Not sure how serious it is?
A professional assessment shows exactly where the water went and what it will take to dry and restore your property.