Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

Simple things to keep your sump pump running

A sump pump is one of those units you may only need to use a few times a year. However, things must run correctly when you need it. A properly working sump pump is vital to prevent flooding and water damage to your home or business. Since these units usually stay in the basement, they can sometimes get forgotten. We have a few maintenance tips to help ensure your sump pump continues to work correctly. Call a local sump pump repair company if a problem occurs and your pump needs to be repaired or replaced.

Inspect your sump pump every few months.

You can visually inspect the sump pump and the well to ensure no signs of debris or objects impede the pump from draining water correctly. Testing the pump by pouring water into the sump pit is highly recommended. The pump should sense that water is in the hole, turn it on automatically, remove it, and shut it off. A properly working sump pump should do this within just a few seconds.

Ensure your pump basin lid is sealed correctly.

After a while, it is typical for the sump basin lid to become loose and expose the pump. The first problem is that this can expose your home or business to excess moisture. The second issue is that your sump basin can start to gather debris and objects. There are a lot of items that collect in a basement. Things like dryer lint, small children’s toys, or even clothes that fall when you wash your clothes. These items can accumulate and cause clogs in your sump pump, potentially flooding your basement.

Perform safety inspections.

It is a great idea to tie the cords up to prevent tangling. Pump cords getting caught up in the float switch is a common and preventable problem. We suggest using zip ties to bind all the cords together; this will help keep them from bunching up in the sump basin. It is also highly recommended that you change the batteries on your unit every 2-3 years. One final thought is to reference the manufacturer booklet to see if your pump recommends any other tasks, maintenance, or warranty issues you should know about.

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