The nights are getting longer, and winter is nearly here. It is getting cold outside, and that means that plumbing problems are right around the corner. Any device that carries water is in danger when the ground freezes. Sump pumps are no exception, because they are a direct conduit between the water in the ground and the water in your home. If it rains while the ground is frozen, or even if snow burden begins to melt before the ground has thawed, you will need your sump pump as badly as you have ever needed it. If the intakes are frozen or the pump is incapacitated, then you are in a lot of trouble.
The first thing to do, in case of an emergency, is to get an emergency siphon going. An aquarium pump or even a regular garden hose will enough to get started on all but the most dire emergencies. Drain it into a sink or out a window. Once you have stopped things from getting worse, it is time to diagnose the problem.
Debris is one of the first things you look for, because the ground breaks up in the cycles of freeze and thaw, and little pieces of earth get in everything. All pumps have a screened opening for the water to flow through. When the screen gets clogged, water cannot flow through properly. Then it begins to back up into your basement. If there is something wrong with the switch, or the water level detector, then your sump pump may not even be able to turn on. Sometimes the switch gets wedged into the side of the basin, or things get caught in it. This happens very often in freezing climates, where the ground is constantly expanding and contracting.
The drainage pipe outside the house can also freeze or clog with snow, which means that the water cannot get outside. There are a lot of ways this can be remedied. Some are preventative, and some are designed to fix the problem after it occurs. If the drainage pipe is hopelessly stopped up, then a stop or a redirecting pip can be installed, allowing the water to drain somewhere else until a repair can be made. It is always best to prevent a problem like this, though. Drain pipes, so that they cannot fill up with ice. That way they will be available when you need them. If you can keep standing water out of them in the cold of night, they may never back up at all.
Cover the pipes with insulation whenever possible. Wonderful insulation is available from any home repair store. If necessary, blankets can work for an emergency in a cold snap. If you sump pump has a tendency to freeze, it might be necessary to take repairs one step further. Electrical wires can be installed around the pipes to gently heat them and keep them from freezing.
A frozen sump pump can be an absolute disaster. Keep water out of your home and make sure your sump pump is working correctly.
