Spring showers are over, the summer is passed, and now it’s time to get ready for winter. So why should you be worried about your sump pump? A few things are vitally important to keep in mind for the health of your sump pump while you’re preparing your home for winter. Preventing water damage in the spring is easy to do now if you know what to do, and it can help extend the life of your sump pump.
And if things do go belly-up, feel free to reach out and give us a call. We’re ready to answer any and all of your questions about water damage, mold growth, or even just how to keep your home healthy this winter!
Should You Replace Your Sump Pump Right Now?
The easiest way to find out if your sump pump is in good health is to raise the float with your finger and see if the sump pump kicks on. If it does, it’s good to go. If it doesn’t, you may need to swap it out for a new one. Want to learn how? Here is an easy guide to replacing your sump pump in no time.
If your sump pump is starting to slow down, it’s possible that it’s just time to replace it. Most sump pumps can only run well for about ten years. After that, it’s time to swap it out!
But maybe your sump pump isn’t a decade old, it turns on but it isn’t quite running correctly? Here are a few common sump pump problems that you could run into:
- The check valve on the discharge pipe was not installed. Without a check valve, the pump sounds like it’s doing its job, but it isn’t moving any water.
- The sump pump was set in dirt or gravel. If your pump is sitting in dirt or gravel, it could have sucked up some debris, which messes up the pump’s ability to do its job! Debris can also damage the pump or even cause flooding. Make sure the water line is clear.
- The discharge line did not have the correct diameter. In other words, your pump can’t benefit from a small air-relief hole, which helps keep everything flowing smoothly.
Checking all of these things is incredibly important in preventing basement flooding, water damage, mold growth, and overall household headaches.
What Do You Do if Your Sump Pump Fails You?
If your sump pump doesn’t pull its weight, give us a call. We can help you navigate all of the backlashes of a failed sump pump. From water damage and flooding to mold remediation and navigating insurance, we’ve got your back. Just get in touch with us.
