A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a sump pump, such as failures in a motor of the sump pump and soft mechanical failures. To detect failures in the motor, the method and system may analyze the electrical load waveform of the motor to identify signatures that may indicate potential problems with the motor. To detect soft mechanical failures, the method and system may measure the current water level in a sump basin, which houses the sump pump. The current water level may be determined by a water level sensor placed slightly above the high water level mark in the sump basin. To resolve the detected failures, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker, which may be attached or integrated with the sump pump, that produces vibrations to physically shake the sump pump. If the failures cannot be resolved by the mechanical shaker, the method and system may send an alert message to notify a user of the situation.