6 Sump Pump Failure Signs: What Westmont Homeowners Need to Watch For

Your sump pump sits in the corner of the basement doing its job — until it doesn’t.

Most failures don’t happen without warning, but the early signs are easy to miss when the pump is out of sight and seems to be running fine.

In Westmont and across DuPage County, sump pumps work harder than in many other parts of the Chicago suburbs. The silty clay loam soil common throughout the county holds groundwater against foundation walls for extended periods after rain, and between February and April, the water table rises significantly as snowmelt and spring storms overlap.

To prevent anything as catastrophic as a basement flood, watch out for these warning signs.

Warning Signs Your Sump Pump May Be Failing

These are the signs worth acting on before a storm makes the decision for you.

Sign 1: Unusual Noises: Grinding, Rattling, or Clanking

A healthy sump pump makes a low, steady hum.

Grinding or rattling sounds typically point to a worn impeller (the component that draws water into the pump) or failing motor bearings. Either condition gets worse under heavy load, which is exactly when you need the pump to perform.

Sign 2: The Pump Runs Constantly or Cycles On and Off Rapidly

A pump that never shuts off or one that starts and stops every few minutes without heavy rain is usually dealing with a stuck float switch.

The float switch activates the pump when water reaches a set level; if it gets tangled against the side of the pit, it can trigger the pump continuously or not at all. Check that the float moves freely before calling for service, since this is one of the few issues homeowners can often resolve themselves.

⚠ WARNING: A pump that runs continuously without clearing the pit water is a different problem. That points to insufficient pump capacity, a blocked discharge line, or motor failure — not a float switch issue.

Sign 3: The Pump Runs But the Pit Water Level Doesn’t Drop

This is one of the most commonly misread signs.

When the motor sounds normal but water keeps rising, the likely culprits are a clogged intake screen, a failed impeller, or a check valve stuck open — allowing pumped water to flow back into the pit. A pump losing that battle quietly will eventually lose it loudly during a heavy storm.

Sign 4: Visible Rust, Corrosion, or Discolored Pit Water

Surface rust on older pumps isn’t always an immediate problem, but significant corrosion on the pump body or discharge connection signals internal deterioration. A professional sump pump inspection can help determine whether your sump pump may need a part replacement or a new unit.

Reddish or cloudy water in the pit can indicate iron bacteria, a naturally occurring issue in some DuPage County groundwater, which can gradually clog the intake and reduce efficiency.

If you’re seeing both rust and discoloration, the pump is likely closer to the end of its service life than the beginning.

Sign 5: A Damp Basement or Musty Smell With No Visible Water

Persistent dampness or a musty smell doesn’t always mean water has entered the basement. It can mean the pump is underperforming — moving enough water to avoid visible pooling but not enough to keep humidity under control.

Check the pit: if the water level is higher than usual even during dry weather, the pump isn’t keeping up. That’s often a precursor to visible failure within the next wet season.

Sign 6: The Pump Is 7 to 10 Years Old

Age alone isn’t a failure sign — but age combined with any of the symptoms above is a strong signal that replacement makes more sense than repair.

Most residential sump pumps have a service life of seven to ten years under normal conditions. In DuPage County, where clay-heavy soil drives more frequent and longer pump cycles, that lifespan tends to run closer to the low end of that range.

💡 TIP: Late winter or early spring — before the snowmelt and April rain season — is the best time to replace an aging pump proactively. Replacing in March is far less stressful than replacing during a storm in April.

Quick Reference: What You Can Check vs. When to Call

Some sump pump issues have simple fixes. Others need a licensed plumber before they escalate. Below we’ve created a table to help you decide between a DIY fix and when it’s time to call a professional plumber.

Sump Pump Service in Westmont and DuPage County

ARCO Plumbing serves Westmont and the surrounding DuPage County communities — including Downers Grove, Darien, Willowbrook, and Burr Ridge. Whether you need a float switch adjustment, a discharge line inspection, or a full pump replacement before the spring wet season, the team can assess your system and give you a straight answer on repair versus replacement.

Getting an estimate before something fails is almost always easier — and cheaper — than dealing with it after the basement floods.

For an emergency plumbing concern, call 630-960-5950 or schedule an online appointment on our website.