Plan on years, not decades
InterNACHI's life expectancy chart lists a sump pump at about 7 years (InterNACHI). Pumps that only run a few times a year can last longer. Pumps in a crawlspace with high groundwater, running hundreds of cycles every wet season, often wear out sooner.
What wears them out
- Run time: Every cycle is wear on the motor and switch. High water tables mean a lot of cycles.
- Short-cycling: A pit that is too small or a failed check valve makes the pump turn on and off constantly.
- Debris: Silt and gravel in the pit wear the impeller and jam the float.
- Running dry: A float that sticks on runs the pump with no water and overheats the motor.
- Undersizing: A pump that struggles to keep up runs longer every cycle.
Replace on your schedule, not the storm's
A sump pump usually fails when it is working hardest, which is during heavy rain, often with the power out. If yours is more than about seven years old, or you do not know its age, replacing it in a dry month is cheaper and calmer than an emergency call.
Things that help a pump last
- Test it before the wet season by pouring water in the pit
- Keep the pit clear of debris and keep a lid on it
- Make sure the check valve works so water does not run back into the pit
- Add a battery backup so the main pump is not the only defense
For what failure sounds and looks like, see signs your sump pump is about to fail.