Don’t Let Your Sump Pump Go Kaput
June 16, 2014

If you have a basement, you need to be aware of possible flooding. Flooding can cause major damage through mold growth and weakening the structure of your house. So if your basement is prone to leaking, you need a sump pump. Sump pump installation will help you get the water out of your basement before it causes any damage. While there are cheap sub pumps available, you’ll want to make sure that whatever you buy will actually work. Otherwise, you’ll waste money and have to deal with flooding.
The best way to install sump pump is to bring in a professional to do it right the first time. They will be able to make sure the drainage pump system is secure and removes the water efficiently. Meanwhile, outside of your house, they can make sure that the system collects sump pump water and disposes of it correctly. This might seem like something you can put off for a while, but it is a gamble. You risk damage to your house that can have drastic consequences.
In any house, there are several critical things that make it function, such as the electricity and the plumbing. But one thing you don’t want to ignore is the sump pump.
A sump pump is an electrical device that helps keep water out of your basement. Even with interior basement waterproofing, exterior basement waterproofing, and a French drain system, flooding or leaking is a possibility during a heavy rainstorm. That’s where a functioning sump pump comes in — it can slowly push the water out of your basement and into the ground outside.
If your sump pump stops working, you could be looking at major flooding and water damage in your basement. Here are few things you can do to check your sump pump, and be sure that you don’t need sump pump repair.
- Exit Pipe. There is a pipe connected to the sump pump that dumps the water it collects outside the house. Also called an exterior pipe, it can be a key to keeping your basement dry. You should check this pipe for any damage, and also make sure that it is not clogged.
- Pour Water. To make sure that the pump is working properly, you will also want to pour about five gallons in the basin and watch how your pump works. It should start pumping once the water level reaches about a foot below the surface of the basement floor. If it doesn’t, you may need sump pump repair.
- Debris. On the sump pump, you will find a lid. Once you remove it, you will be able to see inside the device, and check inside the basin. If you find debris in the basin, it could be hindering your pump from drawing water out. You can clean this yourself, or call a professional to do it for you.
Without a working sump pump, your home could be in danger of flooding, so inspect these parts, and get them fixed if need be. More like this article.