Safety and basic installation

  • Missing, loose, or non‑sealed pit cover, especially where there are kids, pets, radon systems, or potential for odors/humidity migration.
  • Pump not GFCI‑protected where required by local practice and proximity to damp areas.
  • Power feed via extension cord, multi‑tap adapter, or overloaded circuit rather than a dedicated receptacle.
  • Sump pit too small or too shallow to be consistent with manufacturer/InterNACHI guidance (around 18″ diameter and 24″ depth as a rule of thumb).

Pump, float and operation

  • Pump does not run when float is raised or when water is added to the pit, or runs but does not move water from the basin.
  • Stuck, obstructed, or poorly located float that can jam against pit wall, discharge pipe, or pump body.
  • Short‑cycling or continuous running (oversized inflow, undersized pump, failed check valve, or discharge restriction).
  • Excessive noise, vibration, or visible rust/corrosion on housing or discharge riser indicating wear or impending failure.

Check valve and discharge piping

  • Missing or failed check valve on discharge riser, allowing water to fall back into the pit when the pump shuts off.
  • Undersized, kinked, or improperly supported discharge piping.
  • No “weep”/air‑relief hole in discharge riser when required by the pump manufacturer (but note that a small hole above the pump is usually intentional, not a defect).
  • Leaking unions, loose clamps, or visibly damaged piping or fittings.

Discharge termination

  • Discharge terminating too close to the foundation (commonly less than about 10–20 feet) or at/downspout splash blocks that drain back toward the home.
  • Discharge onto walkways or driveways where icing is likely.
  • Discharge into the sanitary sewer where prohibited by local code or utility rules.

Pit conditions and moisture management

  • Pit full of debris, silt, construction scraps, or organic material that can clog the pump intake or jam the float.
  • Standing water around the exterior of the pit or evident seepage at slab joints nearby suggesting system is underperforming.
  • High moisture readings, efflorescence, corrosion, or visible microbial growth in the sump area despite a present pump.

Redundancy and backup

  • No backup power source (battery or generator) in areas with frequent outages or for homes with a known high water table.
  • Inoperative or missing secondary/backup pump where one is installed or clearly needed by conditions.