Sump Pump Maintenance

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

First, let’s answer the question what is a sump pump? A sump pump is a small pump that is installed to help keep the area underneath a building dry and to prevent it from flooding.  They are installed in the lowest part of the basement or a crawl space.  They are normally installed in specially constructed pits which is where water flows into through drains or through migration through soil.  The pump’s job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building.

Here are some tips to help with the maintenance of your sump pump so as to prevent water intrusion in your home:

• Make sure the pump is plugged into a GFCI outlet
• Make sure the cord in in good shape
• Check the pump occasionally to ensure it is running and the breaker has not tripped
• Ensure the pump is standing upright in it’s crock
• Periodically pour a bucket of water in the pit to make sure the pump starts automatically
• Remove the pump from the pit and clean the grate on the bottom
• Check the outlet pipes to ensure they are tightly joined together and are draining at least 20ft from the foundation
• Ensure the vent hole in the discharge pipe is clear
• Install a backup battery in case of power failure

Should you still get water in your basement from sump pump failure or inability of sump pump to keep up due to the amount of water coming in, call SERVPRO of the North Coast and we can help with the clean up. We will address your structure as well as any affected contents and set the proper drying equipment to ensure your basement is thoroughly dried out.  We can be reached 24/7 @ 216-221-3333.