Many of us know our basements as damp, dank places that we often avoid. The moisture and the lack of light just isn’t the right vibe for everyone. Thankfully, we can use sump pumps to eliminate the dampness and dankness. The majority of homes with basements in the Northeast have sump pumps designed to help keep water out.
However, if you want your sump pump to work as it is intended, you need to perform proper sump pump maintenance.
What is a Sump Pump and How Does it Work?
A sump pump is a simple pumping device that moves water from the basement area, and pumps it to a designated location outside of your home. In most cases, the pump will be fitted into some type of hole in the basement floor.
The hole is known as a basin, and the pump is housed inside there. The pump is designed to sense water and then automatically pump away the water when it reaches certain levels. A sump pump’s entire responsibility is to pump water out so the levels don’t rise too high and flood your basement.
Sump pumps can operate by water, battery, or electricity.
Why Sump Pump Maintenance is Crucial
Your sump pump is almost always sitting in water. The constant exposure to water can quickly wear down the pump’s components, or even cause debris and gunk to build up in the system. Your pump could be covered in rust and have debris that is going to cause clogs so it can’t operate as it should.
Sump pump maintenance and routine cleaning will help with these issues. It’s the opportunity to flush the lines, replace any weak or ineffective parts, and clean up the machine so it can work properly.
Sump Pump Maintenance Tips
So how can you maintain your sump pump? It’s perfectly ok to call in professionals to inspect and maintain the pump. However, there are some tips you should know so you can take action on your pump’s behalf.
- Sump pumps last an average of 10 years, depending on the pump style and quality.
- Sump pumps should be maintained and inspected at least once a year.
- Call a professional for an annual inspection or when you suspect issues. If your sump pump disposes of washing machine water, it may need monthly cleaning.
- Professionals should inspect the pit, check valve, backup power source, alarm, cover, and discharge setup of the sump pump.
Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist
If you feel comfortable with basic maintenance or at least checking on your machine, you can follow these steps below. If you hire a professional, you should ensure they are checking each of these boxes.
- Clean sump pump basic debris
- Inspect the check valve of the pump
- Clean out the weep hole
- Clean up the impeller
- Check for odors
- Check the power and backup power supplies
Drycrete Can Help!
It’s totally up to you whether you want to inspect your sump pump or just clean up the pump. Seeking professional advice as you make these decisions can be helpful. The worst case scenario is that you will need to replace the sump pump. Drycrete has many years of experience with sump pumps, including inspections, cleaning, and installation.
Give us a call for a free consultation.