Have a Sump Pump? Things You Should Know
Inspector Plumber • November 23, 2021

If you have a sump pump in your home, you should know that there are many things you can do to keep the sump pump in good condition. After all, this is the unit that is responsible for keeping your home free of water and if your sump pump repair and care needs are not met, you can have a costly condition on your hands.

As with other home appliances and machinery, knowledge is key to helping things last. Use this guide to help you know more about your sump pump. Your water heater repair specialist can assist you should you ever need sump pump repair or inspection.



Clean Your Sump Pump

Just like you should have a hot water repair specialist drain and fill your water heater once a year or so, you should have your sump pump attended to regularly as well. A common rule for this is to have your sump pump cleaned every three months, or as recommended by your water heater specialist.



Replace Your Sump Pump When Necessary

Sump pumps aren't always the most commonly thought-of appliances in the home because they're usually soundly tucked away and only referred to when they need to be cleaned, inspected, repaired, or replaced. For this reason, pay attention to the age and wear of your home's sump pump, just to be on the safe side.

When it's time to replace your sump pump, do so by hiring a plumber who works with sump pumps. This way, you have a water removal system in place that is actively working for you in the event of a home flood.

When you have a sump pump, taking care of it is the best thing you can do. The above tips will help you keep your sump pump in good condition, longer.

Does Your Sump Pump Need Replacement?

By Inspector Plumber • October 3, 2022
There are a few ways to tell when it's time to replace your sump pump. According to Forbes, you should replace your pump every seven to 10 years. However, in some instances, a pump might need to be replaced sooner. One warning sign that there might be something wrong with your pump is water build-up in your basement. Continue reading this blog to learn about other warning signs to be aware of. Constant Running You may find that your sump pump stays on for several minutes at a time. This can indicate that the pump is underpowered for the amount of water it has to handle. The issue might also be that it's not able to handle the distance that water needs to travel. In either case, the pump will be forced to run nonstop. To avoid ending up with serious issues, you should consider getting a more powerful pump for your home. If you're not sure about what size to get, a plumber can give you guidance. Weird Sounds Your pump is not supposed to make lots of noise. So if you start hearing anything beyond the low hum it's supposed to make, there might be something else going on. There are several things that can cause weird noises. It might be that your motor has a failed bearing. It might also be a jammed impeller. In any case, strange noises are a sign that your pump is badly damaged. In most instances, you have to replace it when this happens. Your plumber can tell you exactly what's happening and how to deal with the problem. The Pump Is Not Turning On This is an obvious sign that the pump has failed. Sump pumps generally work very hard when there is a heavy rainstorm. However, they also work when water is seeping into your basement due to ground pressure, dripping pipes, or melting snow. While the pump won't be able to do anything to stop water from getting into your home, they have the important job of removing it from the basement. So if you start noticing some increased puddling or pooling water in your basement, chances are the pump is not working. Are you having issues with your sump pump? You need to call a plumber to find out what's happening as soon as possible. If you delay, you can end up with some serious water damage that'll be costly to fix. A plumber will be able to tell you whether to replace or repair your pump. Get in touch with Inspector Plumber today to request an appointment.

How Often Should I Get My Sump Pump Cleaned?

By Inspector Plumber • July 20, 2022
The majority of homeowners rarely think about their sump pump. Most of the time, this is because sump pumps function as they should, quietly preventing floods that may harm the house. Despite being a small device, the sump pump plays a significant role in keeping your basement dry. Therefore, keeping it in excellent operating condition is crucial. How frequently should the sump pump be cleaned to keep it in good working order? Below, this is explained. Sump Pumps Require Monthly Cleaning The screen or inlet likely needs to be cleaned monthly if the sump pump is in control of the elimination of washing machine water. To clean the bottom grate, you'll need to remove a sump pump from its pit manually. The pump can suck tiny stones into the grate. Cleaning it ensures the inlet isn't blocked, since blockage might eventually harm the pump. Inspect Your Sump Pump Quarterly More frequently than once a year, the pump intake has to be cleaned. It's a good idea to check it every few months to ensure it's functioning properly. According to Allstate, cleaning the sump pump every three months is advisable. Verify that the outlet has a ground fault circuit interrupter and that the cord leading to the pump is in excellent shape. Check whether the ground fault circuit interrupter breaker has tripped before turning off your sump pump. To ensure that your pump starts automatically and drains the water fast, position it so that it is standing upright and then fill the pit with water. Maintain Sump Pump Battery Sump pumps powered by electricity are susceptible to power interruptions. It's a good idea to have battery backup so you don't get flooded during a storm that knocks out the electricity. The owner's handbook should include the battery's typical life duration and whether the main power supply charges it. Check that the battery is charged and, if required, replace it. Some sump pumps are driven by water and do not require an electrical power supply. These pumps, however, are better suited as backups. Perform Yearly Maintenance on the Pump and Pit Remove the pump from the pit and clean both. Disconnect the power source after ensuring the cable is in excellent condition and the connection is secure. Clean the grate, inspect the drainage pipes, wash the screen or inlet aperture, and refill the pump with water to prevent dryness. The sump pump is crucial to help save your basement from over-flooding during excessive rainy periods. Therefore, it must be kept in top shape at all times. Do you need sump pump repairs? Give us a call at Inspector Plumber to get sump pump repairs done by an expert professional.
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