Plumbing · moderate safety risk
Test the sump pump
Verify the pump works before heavy rain or snowmelt.
- How often
- Every 3 months
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Editorial status
- Awaiting human review
Before you begin
Tools
- Bucket
Supplies
- Clean water
How to do it
- Inspect the pit and remove loose debris without touching wiring.
- Slowly pour water into the pit until the float rises.
- Confirm the pump starts and lowers the water level.
- Check that discharge water flows away from the foundation.
Stop and get help when
- Damaged cord
- Breaker trips
- Pump hums without moving water
- Discharge leak
Call a plumber or electrician for damaged wiring, repeated breaker trips, a failed pump, or unsafe water/electrical conditions.
Sources and review
Written by Upkeeping editorial team. This draft is awaiting human subject-matter and safety review and is not eligible for search indexing.