5 Steps in Maintaining a Sump Pump

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

A sump pump plays a critical part in preventing groundwater from intruding into the basement or crawlspace of your home. This pump should be fully functional during flood or storm conditions. Follow these five pump maintenance steps to ensure your pump stays in working order.

1. Inspect Your Pump Before Heavy Rains

The pump should plug into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet and should be standing upright. Try pouring a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should start automatically, and the water should drain. If the pump is not operational, schedule repairs as soon as possible or rely on a backup method.

2. Clean the Grate on Submersible Pumps

Raise the submersible pump and clean the bottom grate on a regular basis. The sucking action can pull small stones into the grate that block the inlet and cause damage over time.

3. Schedule Annual Maintenance

Groundwater tends to rise due to snowmelt or precipitation in late winter or early spring. This is an ideal season to make sure your pump is in working order.

4. Familiarize Yourself With the Pump Alarm

Most sump pumps have battery-powered water level alarms. Some systems can send an alert to your cell phone in the event of a flood or pump failure.

5. Consider Installing a Backup Pump

Choose from water-powered pumps that work without electricity, a battery-powered pump that uses a deep cycle boat battery, or a pump powered by a car battery. Or rely on a generator.

These five pump maintenance measures will ensure that the sump pump in your home works properly. You should have a backup plan in case you lose power during a storm in St. Charles, IL. If groundwater backs up into your crawlspace or basement, contact a residential restoration company to make sure building materials are still viable and to prevent mold.