Sump Pump Maintenance

A sump pump can be the difference between a costly flooding incident and a dry basement. There are two types of sump pumps: “submersible” pumps that are installed under the floor in your basement or crawlspace, and “pedestal” pumps that sit above your sump basin. Sump pumps are used to “pump” groundwater away from your home and can evacuate large quantities of water, such as flooding, to other areas, such as storm drains or basins. Regular maintenance is required to keep your sump pump in good shape, and keep your basement dry year-round. To learn more about sump pump maintenance, below is a list of common sump pump mistakes to avoid.

DIY Installation – If you’ve never installed a sump pump, don’t risk
doing it yourself. Improper installation can end up leading to costly
damages related to water backing up into the building. Hire a plumbing
professional to avoid the risks of improper installation.
No Backup Power – During a powerful storm, your home can lose
power, leaving your sump pump without power. To prevent water from
backing up and flooding, ensure your sump pump has back-up power
such as that provided by a generator. It’s important to make sure you
have a kill switch that does not allow the power line to the home to
be energized, causing possible electrocution of a lineman working to
restore power.

Not Testing Your Sump Pump – Test your sump pump system twice
a year – before spring and fall – to make sure that it’s in good working
condition. To test the system, slowly pour water into the sump pit until
it activates the pump switch. If it empties slower than normal, check
the discharge pipe or the pump itself for clogs and other issues.
Ignoring the Discharge Pipe – Check that the drainage pipes are
tightly connected and are directed away from your home’s foundation.
Also, inspect the pipe for cracks, visible damage, and clogs. Seek
professional help at once if you find clogs or damage. Anything that
impedes the flow could result in basement flooding due to slow
drainage or no drainage at all.
Letting Debris Get in the Pump – Ensure your sump pump doesn’t
sit on debris such as silt or gravel, which could be sucked up into the
pump, damaging the motor or impellers. Instead, place it on steady,
flat bricks. Also, ensure the sump basin has a filter fabric around it to
stop debris from coming in.

Ignoring the Float Switch – This part tells the sump pump motor to
stop once the water level goes below the float. Your sump pump needs
ample space around the floatto be able to float and sink freely. During
routine maintenance, check that the float switch does not have any
cracks that could allow water into the float, thus preventing it from
rising and turning on the pump to evacuate water properly.
If there isn’t enough room or if there is some type of obstruction in
the way, the float may become stuck in the on position and cause the
pump to work continuously. Running it dry can cause the motor to
burn up and fail.
Unplugging the Pump – This can cause flooding if someone
unplugs the sump pump and forgets to plug it back in. To prevent
this, never unplug the pump or make sure you plug it back in if you do.

Covering the Sump Pump – Knowing where your sump pump
is located is important. Piling contents, boxes, and other items on
top of it can make it obscure, and if it’s “out of sight, as the verbiage
goes, it’s “out of mind.” It’s important to keep this area free and clear
of any objects and materials so the sump pump can function
properly and have easy access to service and maintenance when
needed.