Avoid a Spring Plumbing Disaster with These Sump Pump Tips
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the snow is melting. It is a beautiful sight to see for every Minnesota homeowner. However, the melt and occasional rainfall cause the groundwater levels to rise, putting basements at risk of flooding.
Most of us in Minnesota have a sump pump in our basement because we know how awful flooding and the resulting damage can be. But a lot of people don’t know that sump pump maintenance is essential to keep this potential disaster at bay.
What can cause a sump pump to fail?
The pump could lose power
The discharge lines or pump become clogged
The pump could be the wrong size for your basement
A lack of maintenance causes your sump pump to stop working
Save yourself from a sump pump disaster.
If you’ve experienced a flooded basement, or know someone who has, you know the result is thousands of dollars and a big headache. Some simple spring sump pump maintenance can keep you from this disaster. Here are a few things you can do:
Test your sump pump: The simplest way to do this is to fill a bucket of water and pout it into your sump pump pit. If your sump pump turns on right away and pumps out the water quickly, you’re in good shape.
Look for obvious cracks: If there is anything cracked, or broken we suggest calling a professional plumber to take a look.
Clear away debris: A sump pump usually has a check valve that keeps water from coming back in and a discharge line that sends water up and out of your basement. We recommend going outside to where your discharge line empties out and clearing away any debris that might have built up around or inside the opening. Then inspect the check valve for any noticeable issues.
Consider having a battery backup sump pump installed: This system supplements your primary pump by giving you several hours of additional protection from water damage if your primary pump fails. A backup pump brings peace of mind when spring rolls around.
Time to replace your sump pump? Be prepared by maintaining that sump pump sitting in the corner and watch for these common signs that indicate it may be time to replace your pump.
If your sump pump is exhibiting any signs of failure, or you would like to learn more about sump pump repairs, installations or backups, give us a call at (763) 682-4105 or contact us here.