Sump pump systems are incredibly durable pieces of equipment with long lifespans. However, they are not immune to breakdowns and will eventually need to be replaced. So, if your sump pump is draining slowly, your home is experiencing periodic flooding, or your sump pump is making a lot of noise, there is a chance that it is simply deteriorating due to age, or that it has broken entirely. There are other possibilities, however.
Sump pump breakdown is the most serious possible cause of these issues, but it is also the least common. Unless there has been a period of extreme weather that has really put your sump pump to the test, it is unlikely that your sump pump system will break down without any forewarning. Instead, it is more likely that your slow drainage and flooding are caused by blockages, clogs, and other temporary issues. These issues can also account for an increase or change in the noise levels that your sump pump creates.
Submersible pumps are particularly vulnerable to debris and can become clogged with sediment, a build up of hard debris, or even suffer damage to their floating switch as a result of entanglement. Each of these issues can cause failure to drain the pit or a lack of efficiency in water removal, but they are also relatively easy to fix with the help of an experienced professional. Finally, total failure can be caused by damage to the wires which connect it to its power supply. Telling whether your sump pump is entirely damaged or simply in need of repair is something that a professional is best placed to decide. However, you can perform some basic checks for debris and power failure before calling for expert help.