Keeping Your Sump Pump Properly Maintained

While there is never a good time for your basement to flood, you particularly want to prevent such an event after you have had a recent renovation or remodel. Your sump pump is your primary line of defense against basement flooding. To protect your investment, you should perform regular maintenance on your sump pump to make sure it is in good working condition. If it turns out there is a serious issue with your sump pump, it may require professional plumbing services in Vancouver, but the maintenance tasks are relatively simple.

1. Perform a Test

At least once a year, you should perform a test of your sump pump to make sure it is functioning properly. The best time to do this is prior to the rainy season so that if you do identify a problem, you will have time to get it fixed before you need the pump.

There are several different ways to test your sump pump, but the easiest way may be to pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. Make sure to do this slowly so that you do not accidentally spill water onto your basement floor. Once the level of the water reaches a predetermined level, the pump should turn on. If it doesn’t, call a plumber to have it evaluated further.

2. Have a Battery Backup Installed

A sump pump operates on electricity, so as long as the power is on and there are no other maintenance issues or repairs required, it should continue to function. Unfortunately, a big storm that causes flooding could also cause the electricity to go out, meaning that your sump pump is unavailable just when you need it the most. To prevent this from happening, have a battery backup installed on your sump pump. To make sure the battery backup is working, you can simply unplug the pump before performing the test with a bucket of water.

3. Check for Wear on Pump Parts

Any moving parts have the potential to wear out, and the parts of your sump pump are no exception. You should check the parts for wear periodically. The most common part to fail on a sump pump is the float switch, so you should check this especially carefully. Because it is so important, you may want to have it replaced preemptively every two years or so instead of waiting for it to wear out.

Another very troubling sign of wear on the parts of your sump pump is rust. Newer pumps have parts that are made of rust-resistant material, but older pumps may not. If you see rust on one of the parts of your sump pump, try to scrub it away. If you cannot, the part probably needs to be replaced, although it may be possible to repair it.

4. Clean the Pump

Dirt, gravel, and sand can make their way into the incoming drainage lines. If the debris blocks these, channeling water into the sump pit becomes more difficult. You should check these periodically with a flashlight to be sure they are clear. If your sump pump has a lid, which not all of them do, you should remove this first so you can see clearly.

5. Pay Attention to Other Warning Signs

Performing these simple maintenance tasks on your sump pump once a year shouldn’t be too difficult or take very long. However, you should be alert to potential problems with your sump pump at all times of the year, not only when performing maintenance. The most obvious sign of a malfunction is water in your basement, but you should also pay attention to loud noises or moldy, rotten-smelling odours from your basement.
Contact Handyman Connection right away if you suspect a problem with your sump pump. Our experienced technicians can inform you whether it can be repaired or you need a replacement. Plumbing is just one of many services we offer, so call us for all your repair needs.