How To Reset A Sump Pump

When you are using a sump pump in your basement or crawl space, you sometimes need to know how to reset the device.

Typically, the sump pump will turn on all by itself when it senses that there is water to be drained. If you have a manual switch for the sump pump, you could turn it off yourself. However, there are times when it needs to be reset.

Use the tips below to learn how to reset the pump, when not to, and how different pumps should be managed.

How To Reset A Standard Sump Pump

When you would like to reset a standard sump pump, you will see that it has a reset button on the inside that is usually red.

When you want to reset the device, you can hold that button down for 3-5 seconds. This usually resets the sump pump. See if it turns itself on again. If not, just press the button again.

Some models don’t have a proper reset button, however.

In that case, you should just try to find the on/off switch. When all these things fail, you could use switching off the power source as a last resort, however you should only do this in a precautionary way.

When you are holding down the reset button, you need to ensure that it has been held down completely. Some of these buttons have a rubber cover, and you do not want to press the cover without pressing the button itself. Plus, you need to listen for the click of the button because that ensures that you are actually resetting the device.

You need to look inside the pump to check for debris, and you must be aware of any wiring that might be exposed. You would never want to reach inside the device or reset it when the wiring is exposed. Use the tips below to get the job done right.

What If There Is No Reset Button?

If there is no reset button on the device, you should unplug the power source or flip the circuit breaker.

Leave the power off for a few seconds so that you can allow the pump to reset itself.

When you plug the pump back in, you need to make sure that it is not on.

Many people simply rip out of the plug or flip the circuit breaker without turning off the power to the pump. You do not want the pump to turn back on if there are other problems that you have not solved yet.

When Should You Not Reset The Device?

You should not reset the device if it is smoking, makes horrible sounds, or has debris on the inside. The debris on the inside of the device could have clogged it, and you need to remove all that debris while the power is shut off. You also need to remember that some sump pumps are not actually sending water out of the house or the space. When you have a broken pipe for the pump, it needs to be repaired or replaced.

You also need to make certain that you do not have any debris stuck the interior of the pump, stuck inside the pipe, and attached to the interior wiring. Once you have cleaned out the pump properly, you can turn it back on.

If the wiring is exposed, you should not reset the device until you can cover those wires with electrical tape or get the device repaired. If you hear the crackling of electricity, you need to avoid the device altogether(!). If you see smoke, you need to shut the device off so that you can figure out where the exposed wires might be.

If you’ve established that the sump pump is past its haydays or you think that it’s become unsafe, consider one of our top picks as a replacement.

Can You Reset The Pump During A Flood?

You can reset the pump during a flood, but you may not be able to get it to start again if the wiring is damaged. If you are trying to pull out debris from the pump, you must make sure that you are clear of the water when you turn the device back on. This is why you want to use the circuit breaker or power source to shut off the device before resetting. Safety should always be your first concern.

What If You Cannot Reach The Sump Pump?

If you cannot reach the sump pump, you need to consider using a remote-operated device.

You can shut it on and off using the remote, and you can reset it from the remote. If you do not have a modern device, you must know where the circuit breakers are so that you can flip them on and off quickly.

Using these tips helps you manage your device properly even if you are in the middle of a flood.