Tag Archives: tips on maintaining a sump pump

Apr '24

Spring Cleaning for Your Sump Pump: Inspecting and Maintaining Your System

As the winter snow melts and the spring rains begin to fall, it’s important to ensure that your sump pump is in good working condition to protect your basement from flooding. Here we will cover the key steps and tips to keep your sump pump functioning optimally.

Why Spring Cleaning for Your Sump Pump is Essential

Spring is the ideal time to inspect and maintain your sump pump system for several reasons. The increased rainfall during this season can put your basement at a higher risk of flooding. By ensuring that your sump pump is in good condition, you can avoid costly water damage and prevent potential health hazards such as mold growth.

The Importance of Regular Inspections

An essential part of maintaining your sump pump system is conducting regular inspections. Here are a few reasons why regular inspections are important:

Identify and address any potential issues early on.
Ensure that all components are functioning correctly.
Prolong the lifespan of your sump pump.

Regular inspections will help you catch any problems before they escalate into significant issues, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Step-by-Step Guide to Inspecting and Maintaining Your Sump Pump

Step 1: Safety First

Before you begin inspecting and maintaining your sump pump, it’s important to prioritize safety. Make sure to follow these safety guidelines:

Disconnect the sump pump from its power source to avoid accidental electrical shocks.
Wear protective gloves to avoid any potential bacteria or contaminants.

Step 2: Exterior Inspection

Start by performing an exterior inspection of your sump pump system. Here’s what you should check:

Inspect the discharge pipe for any clogs or obstructions.
Ensure that the pipe is securely connected and directed away from your foundation.
Check the vent hole on the discharge pipe for any blockages.

Step 3: Interior Inspection

Once you’ve completed the exterior inspection, move on to the interior inspection. Follow these steps:

Remove the sump pump cover to access the pit.
Inspect the pit for any debris or sediment buildup.
Check the float switch to ensure it moves freely and isn’t obstructed.
Verify that the check valve is working correctly and allowing water to flow in one direction.
Clean or replace the sump pump if necessary, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4: Test the Sump Pump

After completing the inspections, it’s time to test your sump pump system. Here’s how:

Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to activate the pump.
Observe the pump’s operation, ensuring that it starts promptly and efficiently removes the water.
Listen for any unusual noises or vibrations that may indicate a problem.

Step 5: Consider a Backup Sump Pump System

To provide additional protection against basement flooding, consider installing a backup sump pump system. These systems are designed to support your primary pump in case of power outages or mechanical failures. Options include battery-powered pumps, water-powered pumps, or generator-powered pumps.

To provide additional protection against basement flooding, consider installing a backup sump pump system.

Tips for Maintaining Your Sump Pump System

While spring is an excellent time to thoroughly inspect your sump pump system, regular maintenance throughout the year will help keep it in optimal condition. Here are some additional tips:

Test your sump pump system every few months by pouring water into the pit.
Ensure that the float switch moves freely and isn’t obstructed.
Check the power cord and plug for any signs of damage.
Keep the pit clear of debris and sediment.
Consider installing a sump pump alarm to alert you in case of pump failure or high water levels.
Know the location of your main water shut-off valve in case of emergencies.
Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

Spring cleaning for your sump pump is an essential task to protect your basement from potential flooding. By following the steps outlined in this article and conducting regular inspections and maintenance, you can ensure that your sump pump system operates efficiently and effectively. Remember to prioritize safety, and if you encounter any issues beyond your expertise, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber for assistance. With proper care, your sump pump will continue to safeguard your home for years to come.

Mar '23

How to Extend the Life of your Sump Pump

Wondering how to extend the life of your sump pump? Sump pumps are a lifesaver for homes where flooding is an ever-present threat. According to Howzer Management they relieve the homeowner of the need to constantly watch their home to protect it from flooding and water damage. That is because sump pumps do their work without requiring any form of action by the owner.

Yet despite this, it is not uncommon for homeowners to wake up in the middle of the night and find themselves standing in inches of floodwater in their basement due to sump pump failure. Incidents like this happen when a sump pump somehow malfunctions, but the owner is unaware of it until flooding occurs.

Even though they have a self-starting mechanism that allows them automatically detect water in the home’s basement and remove it, sump pumps still need to be cared for. The homeowner’s failure to recognize this fact often results in unpleasant surprises with a sump pump.

Sump pump failures are an entirely avoidable problem. The steps needed to keep the sump pump in your home operational do not take time or cost more money. Proper sump pump maintenance will save you money by prolonging the life of your sump pump.

How to extend the life of your sump pump

Correct installation of the sump pump

From the outset, the longevity and overall efficiency of your sump pump are predetermined by the expertise of the person who installed it. A sump pump system depends on a variety of factors to work properly. Some of the components of the system include a sump basin, discharge pipe with valves, vent systems and the pump itself. Errors in the installation of the individual components can impair the function of the sump pump and shorten its life.

Use the right working voltage

The sump pump is more likely to fail if the working voltage is unstable or outside its specified range. All sump pumps have a rated voltage with an allowance of plus or minus 10% of that working range. If a pump is connected to voltage outside the recommended range, it will not work optimally and may even burn. That is particularly important when using generators with a sump pump.

Cleaning the sump pump

Before it enters the sump pump system, floodwater often flows over bare soil, picking up so much debris. The result is that the water is loaded with sediments and other impurities when it finally reaches the sump basin. These materials are either deposited at the bottom of the sump basin or inside the sump pump itself. If you do not clean the basin and pump, this dirt will impede the sump pump’s function or even cause it to break down.

Make sure the pump is level

Another common reason for premature sump pump failure is when a pump is off-kilter. The first reason why this happens is when the sump pit is not level, perhaps because the basin was not constructed by an expert. The second reason is when the pump is moved out of place by its vibrations. If the sump pump doesn’t sit level, its float arm may not work as it should. Always maintain your sump pump level to keep the float arm from getting jammed.

Avoid overloading the sump pump

The capacity of a sump pump should be carefully matched to the volume of water that typically enters the basement. If the motor is forced to pump more water than it is designed to, especially during the wet season when floods are heavy and frequent, it can overwork and break down. If the flooding issues in a basement are severe, more than one pump may be needed.

Clean the discharge lines

A sump pump is effective to the extent that its discharge lines are clear. If the discharge lines are clogged or frozen, the water coming from the sump pump will have nowhere to go. To protect your sump pump, it is vital to make sure rodents do not make their home inside the pipes. Remove any debris inside the discharge line. In winter, the pipes should not be allowed to freeze as it may cause a burst pipe emergency.

Test the pump

Testing a sump pump is very easy. All that’s needed is to pour so much water into the sump basin until the float rises and activates the pump. When doing this, watch the float to ensure its movement is unimpeded. Listen to the sound of the motor to see that it is working smoothly. Also, check the discharge valve to be sure there is no backflow.

Finally, to tie the above tips together, you need to inspect or replace your sump pump on a schedule. This simple step will let you catch budding problems before they become emergencies. If unsure how to inspect the sump pump, you may want to hire a local plumber.

Nov '22

7 Essential Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

A sump pump is a vital piece of equipment in your home if runoff from rain or snowmelt sometimes finds its way into the basement or crawlspace. A sump pump protects your house by preventing flooding inside the basement. Sump pumps are also necessary if your home has drainage issues or a faulty foundation that lets water into the basement or crawlspace.

Sump pumps are designed to work without help from their owner. When it detects water, the pump automatically powers up and switches off when it has been pumped out. But because the sump pumps may sit idle for months – especially during the drier periods of the year – it is easy for your pump to malfunction without you knowing it, warns Real Property Group.

This is why it is essential to maintain your sump pump and have it in good condition before the rains begin or winter arrives. The last thing you want is for your basement or crawlspace to get flooded simply because your sump pump failed when you needed it most. What are the essential tips you need to maintain a sump pump? Read on to find the answer.

7 essential tips for maintaining your sump pump

Make sure you have a good basin

Because sump pumps handle dirty water, it is easy for them to get logged. Exposure to excessive dirt shortens the life of your sump pump. This is why you should only install a sump pump with a basin. Make sure the sump pump is housed in a suitable basin. The basin helps to keep mud, sludge, and debris out of the pump. This protects the pump, helps it last longer, and ensures good performance throughout its lifetime.

Install and maintain the check valve

A check valve keeps water from flowing backward in the outlet pipes, back into the basin, and onwards to the sump pump. Without a check valve, your sump pump will cycle continuously, working continuously without actually removing water from the basin. If you already have a check valve installed, you should inspect it every 3-4 months.

Battery backup system

It is common for the power to get cut off during thunderstorms or a flood. This is usually when you need your sump pump most. But with the power cut-off, you are denied the benefit of a sump pump even when you have one installed. A battery backup sump pump installation allows you to switch your sump pump from AC to DC and keep it running during a blackout.

Install an alarm system

Sump pump failures are often only detected when you need the sump pump and, it fails to work. You need a warning system to ensure the sump pump functions correctly and leaves you without a safeguard against basement flooding. There are different warning systems in the market, and they are helpful because they will alert you when your sump pump stops working.

Inspect and maintain the sump pump on a schedule

It is essential to maintain your sump pump at least twice every year. This usually means dismantling the pump components and cleaning them. Unless the sump pump has stopped working, you can do this yourself.

To clean the sump pump, disconnect the power, take the pump out of the basin, clean the exterior of the pump, along with the inlet screen and check the valve. If necessary, oil or grease the pump bearings before returning them to the pit and reconnecting the power.

Install a relief hole to prevent air locking

Air locking is familiar with bottom intake pumps. This is when air is trapped inside the pump, preventing water from going through it. An air-locked sump pump will not pump water out of the basin even when the motor runs.

A blockage causes air locking in the relief hole of the impeller casing; you can solve the problem by cleaning the spot. A permanent way to deal with this issue is to install a relief hole in the discharge piping above the impeller casing and below the check valve.

Test your sump pump periodically

As already stated, there is only one way to tell if your sump pump has stopped working once it fails to come on during a flood. You should test your sump pump often to ensure you aren’t in this unfortunate situation.

Testing a sump pump is easy. These are the steps; fill a five-gallon bucket with water and pour the water into the sump pit slowly. This should raise the float switch until the pump comes on. Listen for strange noises when the pump is running and wait to see if it goes off after emptying the pit. Even if an alarm system is installed, you must test your sump pump periodically.

They may not get much attention, but sump pumps do a lot to keep your home safe. They aren’t as expensive as a furnace or as frequently used as a fridge, but they’re still crucial to your home’s safety and comfort level when preventing water damage. Therefore, the sump pump needs to be checked as part of your standard house maintenance.