Salt Lake City averages just 0.61 inches of rain during a typical July, according to National Weather Service readings at the Salt Lake City airport. This July, the same gauge had already recorded 1.15 inches by the 17th, nearly double the monthly average with two weeks still to go. That's the kind of rainfall swing that catches Murray, West Valley City, and West Jordan homeowners off guard, and it's exactly the kind of storm a struggling sump pump won't survive.
The Warning Signs of Sump Pump Failure
A pump that runs constantly, even when it hasn't rained, is working harder than it should and burning out its motor early. Unusual noises, grinding, rattling, or a loud clunk when the cycle starts, point to a failing motor or a jammed impeller. A pump that never seems to kick on during a storm may have a stuck float switch, which means it isn't reading the rising water at all. If your basement smells musty or you notice moisture along the baseboards after a storm, the pump already fell behind.
Why This Summer's Rain Swing Is Hard on Utah Pumps
Most sump pumps in the Salt Lake Valley are sized for a normal, dry Utah summer, not for a month that delivers nearly double its average rainfall in half the time. When a pump built for occasional groundwater seepage suddenly faces repeated downpours dropping a half-inch or more at once, it cycles far more often than it was designed to. That extra strain is exactly what pushes an aging motor or a marginal float switch past its limit, usually during the storm when you need it working most.
What to Do If Your Pump Is Struggling
Test your pump before the next storm by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and watching it cycle. If it hesitates, runs weak, or doesn't shut off cleanly, don't wait for the next downpour to find out it's failed for good. A battery backup sump pump keeps your basement protected during a power outage too, which matters more this season since lightning-triggered outages tend to spike right alongside the heaviest storms.
When to Call a Professional
If your pump is more than seven years old, struggles during testing, or has already let water through once, get it inspected before the next round of monsoon storms rolls in. A professional can test the float switch, check the motor's condition, and recommend a battery backup if your home doesn't have one. Waiting until a storm is already in the forecast usually means an emergency call instead of a planned fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my sump pump is failing?
A: The clearest signs are a motor that runs constantly even in dry weather, grinding or rattling noises during a cycle, a pump that doesn't activate at all during a storm, or a musty smell and baseboard moisture after heavy rain.
Q: How often should a sump pump be tested in Utah?
A: Test it at least once before monsoon season each summer and again in early spring before snowmelt. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the pump activates, drains fully, and shuts off cleanly.
Q: Can a sump pump handle Utah's monsoon storms if it's never failed before?
A: A pump with no history of problems can still be undersized for a season like this one, where rainfall has run close to double the normal July total in half the time. Age and prior performance matter less than whether the pump was built to handle repeated heavy-cycle storms.
Q: Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
A: If your home has a finished basement or you've had power outages during past storms, yes. Lightning-related outages tend to hit during the exact storms that put the most strain on your pump, which is when a battery backup matters most.
Don't wait for the next downpour to find out your sump pump failed. Call Big Brothers Home Services at (385) 469-4940 for a same-day sump pump inspection in Murray, UT and the surrounding Salt Lake Valley.