Sump Pump – Don’t Let Yours Fail!

Sump Pump – Check Yours!

It can be the most unwelcome surprise to find your basement filled with water because your sump pump has decided to die. You should make sure that your sump pump is working properly before you have a problem! It is the time of year when rain is more frequent and so it is more important than ever to make sure you are not going to have a watery disaster in your home or office.

How to Test Your Sump Pump

Testing your sump pump is not very difficult and does not require much of your time. Here are some simple tips for checking and testing your pump.

1. Give your pump system a good look-over for any obvious signs of leakage from the pump or any pipes entering/leaving the pump.
2. Carefully check the drain that allows water to exit the system. This is usually in a location in your yard and so the drain can be clogged with debris such as leaves or dirt.
3. Examine and clean your sump pump. It should not be very difficult to disconnect the pump from its hoses and clean obvious surfaces, intakes and outlets of the pump. If you notice any cracks in the pump, it would probably be best to replace it.
4. If you have noticed that your sump pump does not turn on at all, be sure to check the circuit breaker before assuming that it no longer functions at all.

When to Call a Plumber

If your sump pump experiences above-normal activity due to being in a flood prone area, it may be best to replace it more often than normal. The typical life expectancy of sump pumps is more than 10 years under normal duty. If your pump has obvious signs of extreme wear, it is best to contact a plumber to help you to replace it. If the pump functions correctly, but water is not exiting the system properly, you may need a professional to identify and correct the problem area in the system.

Shad’s Plumbing is ready to help you with any sump pump issue you may be facing. Give us a call!