Sump Pumps: Maintenance and Utility

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

For some basements, a sump pump is mandatory, and even if your basement doesn’t necessarily need one, they can always come in handy during a flood. However, a mechanical failure could lead to disaster and it helps to know how to keep up maintenance in order to make the most of them.

            As you may know, sump pumps collect water in a basin, and then pump it out in a place where it can be safely drained. They are most often installed in basements where flooding typically occurs, either because of issues in the foundation, the depth of the basement in relation to the water level, or other reasons. However, they can also be useful for homeowners who want an extra measure of safety in case of unexpected flooding. At the end of the day, a sump pump can prevent heartache, monetary loss, and water damage.

             As useful as they are, sump pump failures can occur. It just takes a power outage or accumulated debris, and you’ll find yourself with a flooded basement. However, with regular maintenance you can better ensure safety. Power outages, which often happen during a storm, can end up turning off your sump pump. This is easily fixed with a back-up generator. Another issue that commonly occurs is a stuck switch. Debris, or even just a mechanical error, can cause the switch in the sump pump to get stuck. Sump pumps can also simply get old and stop working. Their lifespan can range from 5-30 years, depending on the type of pump, so you should begin to check on it during heavy storms or other events that could lead to flooding when it is at risk of failure. For regular maintenance, once a year, you can clean it out by disconnecting it and rinsing it out with running water, cleaning out all the pipes and valves.

            Paying attention to your sump pump and cleaning it out every year or so can help prevent issues. However, unexpected problems can always come up, so if you have any questions, concerns, or need of assistance, please call us at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe, (847) 498-8889.