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A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. Water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump's job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawlspace stays dry.
Regarding this, how do I know if my sump pump is working?
The first way to test the sump pump is to trace the two electrical cords of the sump pump. The pump cord plugs into the back of the float cord plug. Both cords should be unplugged and only the pump cord should be plugged into the outlet. If a humming sound is heard when turning on the pump, the pump works.
Likewise, do sump pumps turn on automatically?
The pipe usually has a one-way valve called a check valve at the pump end to keep the water from flowing back into the pit. Most sump pumps turn on automatically through a float activator arm or a pressure sensor. A buoyant ball floats on top of the water, manually moving the arm as the water level rises.
Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit Fill a five-gallon bucket with water and pour it slowly around the sump pump. The pump should kick on once the water level reaches a predetermined level below the basement floor.