My basement sump pump gave out during that big melt, here's what I learned
Two weeks ago the snow started melting fast and my sump pump just died in the middle of it. I came down to the basement with laundry and heard this weird gurgling, then saw about an inch of water creeping toward the storage shelves. I shut off the power right away and started scooping with a bucket, which took close to two hours. The pump itself was maybe 7 years old, and I never once checked the float switch or cleaned the pit, so it was full of grit and the motor just seized. I went to Home Depot and picked up a new pedestal pump for around $200 and installed it that same evening, but I also added a backup battery unit after the fact. The worst part was the damp carpet smell that lingered for days, and I ended up renting a dehumidifier to dry things out. Has anyone else dealt with a surprise pump failure here, and do you use a water alarm or anything to catch it early?