When you own a home with a basement or are building a home from the ground up, you will become very familiar with a sump pump. If you aren’t sure what a sump pump actually is, it’s a device used to remove water which has accumulated in the sump basin. In other words, a sump pump prevents your basement from flooding. Consider for a moment just how important a sump pump is for the life of your home. Without this device, basements would flood and make a mess of your home. The average sump pump lasts around 5-7 years. Making sure your sump pump lasts that long can be accomplished with a few tips. Keeping your pump healthier is a lot easier when you know what is good and bad for the pump. Check out the tips below and learn how to keep your sump pump healthy and happy.
Clean and Check the Basin
One of the best rules of thumb when it comes to keeping your sump pump on the healthy road is making sure that debris or outside hindrances don’t end up clogging up your sump basin. This basin is where the water collects and it’s also where a lot of debris can end up finding a home. If you own pets, small children, or your basement isn’t used particularly often then cleaning your basin is almost a must. Sometimes toys, balls of fur, or even leaf or dirt particles can end up finding its way to your sump basin. Every few weeks it might be smart to take a look in the basin and see if any debris has started to build inside. If too much debris gets into your sump basin it can begin to hinder the float mechanism which, of course, could lead to a failure of your sump pump. Keeping an extra eye open can keep your basin nice and clean.
Test it Out
If you don’t live in a particularly rainy area of the country then it might slip your mind that your sump pump needs to be put through the ringer a time or two. Just because the weather isn’t calling for a big storm doesn’t mean that you should skip making sure your pump is working up to its fullest potential. Test out your sump pump by pouring some water into the basin from a bucket or pitcher. If your sump pump is doing its job correctly then it should start up almost instantly and begin getting rid of that water. Once all the water has been drained your pump should shut off automatically and wait for the next time it needs to drain. This will give you peace of mind that your pump is working properly and will be ready for the next time it rains or needs to function. Aside from testing it out, keep in mind that a sump pump must be replaced every 5-7 years in order to avoid failure of the pump. Keep paperwork easily accessible and plan out a general time frame for when you should consider getting your pump replaced. Remember, planning ahead can save you a lot of time, stress, and money.
Cleaning and Inspection
Like most machines, inspecting and cleaning should happen on a regular basis. Your sump pump is no exception to this rule. Cleaning our debris, checking filters, and inspecting pipes can help you maintain the life of your sump pump. To some homeowners, it may seem like an overwhelming task. Online guides can help you manage some parts of your sump pump and assist you with checking for damages or corrosion. If you’re uncomfortable trying to clean the sump pump yourself then calling a certified plumber such as DB’s Plumbing & Drain can make all the difference. A certified plumber will know how to inspect and clean your sump pump along with help you understand more about its moving parts. Keeping up with your sump pump also means looking ahead. When a weather disaster or sump pump malfunction strikes, having a backup is a must. Having a battery-powered backup sump pump is a safe way to make sure you’re always at the ready. If your main sump pump fails due to mechanical issues or power outages then a battery powered back up with immediately kick in and keep things running until the power returns or your main pump can be repaired.
If you have questions about your sump pump or need professional help with your plumbing, DBs Plumbing & Drain is here to help. Call us at (703) 457-8686for more information.