A sump pump that keeps tripping its breaker can be frustrating, and a little scary — after all, the pump can’t protect your home if it doesn’t have power. If you’ve installed a battery-operated secondary pump, you might manage to avoid a flooded basement. But what’s going on with the pump? Before going to the trouble and expense of replacing the pump entirely, examine your system for these common, potentially fixable causes.
Cause #1: No Dedicated Circuit or Outlet
Sump pumps can draw a lot of electricity — and if yours is sharing an outlet or circuit with other appliances, that could be why the breaker keeps tripping.
It’s possible the other appliance is to blame, not the sump pump, but regardless of the culprit, your sump pump should be on a dedicated circuit or power outlet to give it the best chance at remaining powered and functional.
In fact, to reduce the chance of electrical fires, every major appliance in your house should be on its own dedicated circuit. This is one home improvement project that may be worth the expense of professional help.
Do sump pumps require GFCI outlets?
Yes. It’s critical to use only a ground-fault circuit interrupter or GFCI outlet with your sump pump. These outlets protect users from deadly electrical shock and are especially critical with appliances used around water — like hair dryers, kitchen appliances, and sump pumps.
A sump pump that’s not connected to a GFCI outlet is incredibly dangerous — imagine stepping into a flooded basement to investigate why your sump pump isn’t working. The GFCI would protect you from lethal electric shock in that situation; if the pump is plugged into a non-GFCI outlet, you could be electrocuted immediately.
Cause #2: Sediment Buildup in the Basin Is Overworking the Pump
When the sump pump basin is clogged with dirt or debris, the pump has to work harder to move that murky, sediment-laden water. That means the pump will draw more current, tripping the breaker. If your pump trips the breaker after running for just a few minutes, sediment buildup might be the issue.
The solution to this problem is simply to clean out your sump pump basin. Removing dirt and debris buildup in the bottom and sides of the basin is a simple process that you can probably handle yourself, and it might solve the problem.
Cause #3: The Impeller Is Blocked or Clogged
Running the pump in a basin that’s clogged with sediment can eventually lead to a blocked or clogged impeller, the internal part of the pump that spins like a propeller to move water from the basin through the discharge pipe.
If this is the case in your system, cleaning the basin thoroughly, then running the pump with a few buckets of clear, clean water should help flush out the debris and allow moving parts inside the pump operate more easily.
It’s possible the pump is too clogged to operate efficiently without professional attention, but giving your basin and the exterior of the pump a thorough cleaning is almost cost-free and therefore worth a try.
Cause #4: Water Is Seeping into the Pump
Modern breakers are designed to trip when a short occurs, so if your pump trips the breaker more or less instantly upon turning on, water might have seeped into its housing, causing a short.
To determine whether this could be your problem, unplug the pump, disconnect the discharge pipe, and remove the pump from the basin. Inspect it closely for cracks in the housing, or seals that could be old and leaky. If there are cracks or damaged seals, water might well have made its way to electrical components. The pump may be fixable, so have a professional examine it.
Cause #5: The Pump Is Plugged into a Low-Rated Extension Cord
A sump pump should never be plugged into an extension cord — it should always be plugged directly into a GFCI outlet. However, if you absolutely cannot avoid using an extension cord, use a heavy-duty cord rated for the significant amount of power a pump draws; a 10 gauge or 12 gauge cord should be up to the task. (Remember that the smaller the number, the larger the wire.)
Again: Extension cords are not recommended for sump pumps. The best, safest practice is to plug your sump pump directly into a GFCI outlet; if you’re getting a GFCI outlet installed specifically for your sump pump, get it installed right above the pump so an extension cord will never be necessary.