How To Maintain Your Sump Pump (and Why You Should)

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has technicians available 24/7 in case of flooding or storm damage.

The sump pump in your home works hard, but it rarely gets the attention or credit it deserves. Your pump is one of the few components of your home that prevents floods and protects your house from water damage. If your pump stops working, the basement and ground levels may flood in a heavy rain. For this reason, pump maintenance is a must. There are a few things you can do to keep your pump in good working order:

• Inspect the cord for any wear and tear.
• Make sure the pump is upright and level, otherwise the float will shift out of place
• Test your pump by filling the basin to the top with water
• Clean the grate that is at the bottom of the pump
• Check the drainage pipes to the pump to make sure all connections are secure and that water drains directly to your yard

By doing these simple things, you can prevent unnecessary flooding and minimize water damage. If your sump pump isn’t functioning correctly, you may notice the following signs:

Strange Noises

If your pump has gone bad, you may notice that it makes abnormal noises, such as thudding, grinding or groaning. If you hear these sounds coming from your basement, it may be because your pump has gone bad.

On/Off

If your pump turns on and off at whim, it may be because of lack of maintenance. In the best-case scenarios, simply tilting your pump upright or adjusting the power source can fix the issue. In the worst-case scenario, you need a new pump.

Constant Running

If your pump is always running and it’s not raining out, chances are that it’s broken. If this is the case, you may want to consider replacing it.

Flooding

If your basement floods in a heavy rain, it may be because your pump is broken or needs to be tilted, cleaned or reconnected to the draining pipes. If none of those fixes work, you may need to replace the whole pump.

Sump pump maintenance can keep your basement clear in light to heavy rains, but it may not protect against extreme flooding. If flooding does occur, reach out to the Levittown, PA water remediation team for immediate assistance. Visit http://www.SERVPROlevittown.com for more information on storm damage.