How to Reset a Sump Pump in 5 Steps

Sump pumps play a crucial role in protecting your home from water damage, basement flooding and other costly issues that can take place after a big snow or rainstorm, or in an area that experiences high moisture and is likely to flood.

Like all home appliances, sump pumps need time to rest and their lifespan will increase with periodic maintenance. Sump pumps are also sensitive to power outages and power surges. If your home experiences a power failure or your breaker surges, it is a good practice to check and see that the electrical system or the battery backup in your sump pump wasn’t fried.

Whether you need to reset your sump pump for your own troubleshooting purposes, maybe the pump runs slower than it should or you want to test the system after a heavy rain, or you want to reset it in preparation for a plumber to come take a look and perform maintenance, resetting a sump pump system is a quick and easy process. If you get stuck at any point or you’re unsure of how to proceed, call a licensed plumber for help.

Follow these 5 simple steps to reset your sump pump:

1. Disconnect the power. Whenever you are working with electrical equipment near water, it’s crucial that you take every precaution to avoid shocking yourself or frying the equipment. So, first thing’s first, you need to disconnect the power before you take any further steps. Locate the sump pump switch and turn it to the “off” position. Unplug the sump pump from its power source, usually a wall electrical outlet. As an extra precaution, you can also shut off the power to the sump pump at your electrical breaker before unplugging the sump pump from its outlet.
2. Take the sump pump out of the basin. Your sump pump sits in a sump pump pit or a sump basin. When it’s shut off, you need to remove the pump from the basin to properly access its components. Remove the basin cover and carefully take the pump out of the sump pit, making sure that you disconnect any drainage pipes without damaging them or the pump connectors. At this point, it is a good idea to take pictures of the pump while it’s still connected so that you have something to reference when you put it back together. Once the sump pump is out of the pit, set it on an old towel, tarp, etc. The pump will be dirty, and may leak excess water for a bit.
3. Clean out the sump pump. One of the most common causes of sump pump failure is the motor getting jammed or blocked by small rocks, pebbles, dirt and debris that collect in the pump over time. So, cleaning out the debris can solve many problems and extend your sump pump’s life. If your sump pump has a filter, make sure you clean it every few months. At this point, it’s also a good time to check the exterior of the sump pump for any rust spots or damage that could eventually leak if the motor becomes flooded. Also, before you put the pump back in the basin, make sure that the drain lines and discharge pipes are clear and free of clogs as well. Clogged drains and discharge lines make your sump pump work harder than needed, which can cause the unit to smoke and make loud noises.
4. Return the sump pump to the basin and restart the power. Put the sump pump back in the basin, and reconnect everything the way you found it. Refer to the pictures you took in Step 2, or refer to the owner’s manual if needed. Ensure that you are reconnecting everything properly so you can avoid unexpected leaks in the future. Before you move on, make sure that the float switch rises and falls with the water level in the pit. Plug in the pump and switch the on/off switch back to the “on” position. If you also shut off the power at the electrical breaker, turn it back on as well. Your sump pump should easily power up, but if it doesn’t, make sure the circuit breaker or fuse box wasn’t tripped in the process. If that doesn’t solve the problem, your sump pump could have a bad motor or switch.
5. Reset the sump pump. If your sump pump does not have a reset button, unplugging it from its power source like we did in Step 1 will suffice to cycle the system’s motor. If your sump pump does have a reset button, now is the time to use it. Many sump pump problems can simply be solved by resetting the pump. If resetting things doesn’t fix your original problem, chances are there is a more serious issue with your sump pump. At this point, most homeowners will need to call in a licensed plumber to assess the situation before the next storm to avoid a flooded basement or other groundwater damage.