6 Sump Pump Maintenance Tips for a Functional Home

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

Pour water into your basin to ensure that it drains quickly

A sump pump moves accumulated water away from your basement to prevent interior damage and floods. Unfortunately, too many homeowners ignore this important appliance until it’s too late. These six easy and fast maintenance tips can help keep your living space in top condition.

1. Look at the Connecting Cords

Causes of an overflow include:

• Power outages
• Clogs
• Freezes
• Overwhelm
  

Rather than struggling with the complex components of your appliance, you can simply check the cord running from your unit to the working ground fault circuit interrupter. Make sure it’s plugged in properly and that there are no kinks.

2. Remove Debris

Debris may build up on the intake screen of your unit and impact its performance. Carefully inspect and clean the screen at least once a year.

3. Test Your Unit

Pour water into your basin to ensure that it drains quickly. It’s a prudent thing to do before a rainy or snowy season. If you notice slow drainage, then contact residential storm experts who can complete a more thorough inspection.

4. Replace Your Battery

If your sump pump contains a battery, it needs to be replaced every two or three years. Follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s guide to complete a safe battery swap.

5. Clean the Discharge Pump and Vent Hole

Pump maintenance in Reunion, FL, isn’t always pretty, but it’s necessary. Dirt, gravel and debris around the discharge pump or vent hole of your unit cause it to work harder to drain water, thus increasing the possibility of overflowing. Roll up your sleeves and clear any obstructions once a year so your unit can work properly.

6. Inspect the Pit and Float Component

Debris can also gather in the pit of your pump, so remember to check this area as well. Keep the perimeter of the float component unobstructed.
Water damage to your basement can be expensive to repair. Follow these maintenance tips to keep your sump pump operating at peak capacity.