If you have a sump pump system in your Hickory home, then it is important that you pay attention to the sounds that it makes. The noise can tell you a lot about how it is functioning and whether or not it’s healthy. Of course, there are different types of sump pump systems, and they can all differ in the level and type of noise that they produce as standard. Take the time to get used to a new system before you panic. A rattling, grinding, or crunching sound, however, is something that you should be concerned about. These kinds of sounds tend to indicate that there is a blockage in your sump pump system. This could be a small piece of hard plastic, for example, which is messing with the mechanism or lodged in the pump. Alternatively, it could be a larger piece of debris that is causing a serious blockage. Neither of these options is good, of course, but large blockages are the most likely to cause widespread issues for your sump pump system and your property as a whole. A serious blockage will cause your sump pit to drain very slowly and could result in flooding in your basement or crawl space. Likewise, larger blockages are more likely to cause your sump pump system as a whole to break down. Alternatively, if you have a pedestal sump pump, it could be rattling as a result of instability or damage to the pedestal itself. If this is the case, then the repairs will be fairly easy.