Steps for Maintaining your Sump Pump
One of the more challenging aspects of being a homeowner is dealing with flooding in the basement. During the wet seasons, water often seeps in, and if you are not prepared for it, this can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Many homeowners install sump pumps to make sure their basement doesn’t suffer from flooding. However, a sump pump is the kind of device that can go unnoticed until you need it.
Due to the importance of needing keeping your basement free of water, it is very important to make sure you do some basic maintenance on your sump pump regularly. By performing these checks, you can be sure your pump will be in good working order when you need it. After all, there is nothing worse than thinking you are covered in the case of an issue, only for disaster to strike due to a failure that a quick check could have spotted!
Power Check
A sump pump runs on electricity, so it needs to have access to power. Check the power cord every few months to make sure the pump is still plugged in. It is highly recommended that you have a battery backup installed just in case of power failure (as is prone to happen during heavy rains or storms). If you do have a battery backup installed, test the backup by unplugging the pump and making sure the backup kicks in. Do not forget to plug the pump back in!
Clear Pit of Debris
Over time, debris can accumulate in the sump pit. It is important to remove any debris as it piles up and to ensure this area is kept clear. Doing so helps make sure there is nothing to jam the float while also preventing the accumulation of any foul odors from the combination of refuse and standing water.
Keep Line Clean
In addition to keeping the pit clean, you also want to make sure the line remains clear. Clogs will cause water to build up and ultimately defeats the purpose of having a sump pump installed in the first place. Regularly inspect the line and make sure that water is flowing freely from the pit to the outside of your house.
Keep Pump Centered
It should go without saying, but make sure the pump remains centered within the pit. Not only does this allow the float to rise correctly, but also helps to keep it from getting caught on the walls of the pit. Both of these events could cause malfunction within the pump and prevent it from removing water quickly.
Manually Activate the Pump
Active your pump at least once per year. The best way to do this is to fill the pit with water and make sure that the pump removes it properly. By testing in these controlled conditions, you can spot a problem before the rainy season comes, saving you from costly repairs. These are just a few tips for helping to keep your sump pump working and avoiding costly maintenance in the future. However, this is by no means exhaustive. Review your sump pump user manual or consult with an Ashworth Drainage professional for more tips on making sure this essential appliance remains operational!