⚠️ Disclaimer: These tasks are guidelines only. They do not include lockout/tagout (LOTO), energy isolation, or other safety requirements. Review and verify suitability for your specific equipment and application. Add all required safety procedures per your company's policies and regulatory requirements before use. You are responsible for the safe and appropriate execution of all maintenance activities.
Nobody thinks about the sump pump until the pit is full and water is on the floor. That's the problem.
These pumps run unattended in the dark, in the wet, handling the worst of what your facility produces. Float switches corrode. Check valves fail silently. Impellers clog with rags and debris. And nobody finds out until the alarm goes off — or worse, doesn't.
This checklist covers both field-level execution and a comprehensive reference library for maintenance managers building or auditing a sump or sewage pump PM program.
For the full pump PM framework, start with centrifugal pump preventive maintenance.
How to Use This Checklist
Record what you actually find — not what you expect to find. "Float moves freely" is not a finding. "Float tether kinked, switch activating 4 inches below design level" is a finding.
Trend your results over time. A motor that runs warm on every PM is telling you something. A check valve that sounds like it's cycling water back after shutdown is telling you something louder.
The difference between a good checklist and a bad one isn't the number of tasks. It's whether the findings are specific enough to act on. Write like someone else has to decide what to do with what you found.
Field Checklist — Critical Tasks
Visual Inspection Tasks
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect pump pit or wet well for excessive debris, rags, or buildup that could obstruct the intake or impeller. Remove any visible obstructions. | Every PM | MEC |
| Inspect discharge piping and check valve for visible leaks, corrosion, or damage. Confirm check valve operates (no backflow when pump stops). | Every PM | MEC |
| Inspect power cord or conduit entry for damage, chafing, or moisture intrusion at the motor housing. | Every PM | ELE |
| Inspect pit walls and sump basin for cracks, excessive sediment accumulation, or signs of infiltration. | Quarterly | MEC |
Operational Checks
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Check float switch(es) for free movement and correct positioning. Confirm float is not tangled, stuck, or waterlogged. | Every PM | MEC |
| Verify pump starts and stops correctly by manually cycling the float or control switch. Confirm motor runs smoothly without unusual noise or vibration. | Every PM | ALL |
| Check pump and motor for unusual noise, vibration, or heat during operation. Report any changes from baseline. | Every PM | MEC |
| Confirm high-water alarm activates at the correct level. Test alarm circuit if a test function is available. | Monthly | ALL |
Lubrication
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect motor lubrication fittings (if applicable) and lubricate per manufacturer specification. | Annually | MEC |
Electrical Inspection
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Verify overload protection setting on motor starter or control panel matches motor nameplate FLA. | Annually | ELE |
Mechanical Inspection
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Flush pump and wet well with clean water to clear sediment and reduce odor buildup. | Semi-Annually | MEC |
Reference Checklist — Full Task Library
Visual Inspection Tasks
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect pump pit or wet well for excessive debris, rags, grease, or solids accumulation that could restrict intake or jam the impeller. Remove all obstructions before testing. | Every PM | MEC |
| Inspect discharge piping and fittings for leaks, corrosion, or physical damage. Check pipe supports and hangers for integrity. | Every PM | MEC |
| Inspect power cord and conduit entry point for chafing, cracking, or moisture infiltration at the motor. Submersible motor seals rely on cord integrity. | Every PM | ELE |
| Inspect sump basin, pit walls, and floor for cracks, erosion, or excessive sediment. Document condition and flag for cleaning if sediment exceeds 25% of effective sump depth. | Quarterly | MEC |
Operational Checks
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Check float switch(es) for free, unobstructed movement through full travel range. Confirm floats are not stuck, tangled, or waterlogged. Inspect tether length and adjust if needed. | Every PM | MEC |
| Manually cycle pump on and off using the float or test switch. Confirm motor starts and stops cleanly, runs without hesitation, and reaches normal operating speed. | Every PM | ALL |
| Listen and feel for abnormal noise or vibration during pump operation. Compare to baseline. Any new grinding, rattling, or cavitation-like noise warrants investigation. | Every PM | MEC |
| Check motor housing temperature by touch after 5–10 minutes of operation. Excessive heat may indicate impeller restriction, low voltage, or failing bearings. | Every PM | MEC |
| Verify check valve function: confirm there is no audible or visible backflow into the sump after pump stops. A failed check valve causes short-cycling and premature motor failure. | Every PM | MEC |
| Test high-water alarm circuit: manually raise float to alarm level or use test function. Confirm visual and/or audible alarm activates. Document test result. | Monthly | ALL |
| Check control panel for fault codes, tripped overloads, or warning indicators. Reset only after confirming root cause. Document any faults found. | Monthly | ELE |
| Confirm pump runtime is reasonable for inflow conditions. Excessive short-cycling (>6 starts/hour) indicates oversized pump, float set too close, or high inflow — investigate. | Monthly | ALL |
| Inspect and test level control system (float switches, transducers, or electrodes) for accuracy. Compare switch activation levels to design set points. | Quarterly | ELE |
| For duplex systems: verify lead/lag alternation is functioning correctly. If alternation is fixed or not working, inspect alternator relay or controller logic. | Quarterly | ELE |
| Review pump runtime logs or SCADA trend data for the past year. Identify runtime increases, cycling changes, or anomalies that may indicate wear or inflow changes. | Annually | ALL |
| Confirm spare pump or standby unit (if duplex system) is operational and ready for service. Test standby pump under load. | Annually | MEC |
Mechanical Inspection
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Flush pump and wet well with clean water to reduce sediment, grease, and biological buildup. Use caution — do not overwhelm the system capacity. | Semi-Annually | MEC |
| Inspect and clean strainer or intake screen if installed. Measure and record any differential pressure across strainer if instrumented. | Annually | MEC |
Electrical Inspection
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Measure and record motor run current with a clamp meter during operation. Compare to nameplate FLA. Current >10% above FLA indicates mechanical restriction or electrical issue. | Monthly | ELE |
| Perform insulation resistance (megger) test on motor windings. Record results and compare to previous readings. A reading below 1 MΩ requires evaluation before returning to service. | Annually | ELE |
| Verify overload protection setting in motor starter or VFD matches motor nameplate FLA. Adjust if necessary and document. | Annually | ELE |
Lubrication
| Task | Freq | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect motor lubrication points (if accessible) and lubricate per manufacturer spec. For sealed submersible motors, verify no external oil seal leaks. | Annually | MEC |
Failure Modes This Checklist Targets
Float Switch Failure The float switch is the most common point of failure on a sump or sewage pump. Tangled tethers, waterlogged floats, and corroded contacts will prevent the pump from starting — or keep it running when it shouldn't. Every PM starts here.
Impeller Clogging Rags, wipes, debris, and grease accumulate on the impeller and restrict flow. The motor works harder, draws more current, runs hot, and eventually trips or burns. The pit looks fine. The pump is drowning.
Check Valve Failure A failed check valve lets water flow back into the sump after the pump stops. The float rises again immediately. The pump starts again immediately. Repeat until the motor fails from continuous short-cycling. Most programs never test the check valve.
Motor Winding Degradation Submersible motors operate in wet, corrosive, often warm environments. Moisture infiltration through a damaged cord seal or failed shaft seal allows water into the motor housing. Insulation breaks down quietly. The megger test catches it before the winding fails.
Bearing Wear Sump and sewage pumps run on anti-friction bearings that degrade with contamination, heat, and age. Abnormal noise and vibration during operation are the primary early indicators. Once they start grinding, the timeline is short.
Control and Alarm System Failure A high-water alarm that doesn't work is worse than no alarm — it creates false confidence. Test it every month. Document the result every time. A fault code that gets reset without investigation is a failure waiting to be repeated.
