By preventing flooding in your basement, a sump pump protects your belongings and preserves the structural integrity of your building. Your sump pump is like a “watchdog” that wards off flooding disasters while you are sleeping or away from your house.
The convenience and effectiveness of a sump pump system lie in its ability to operate itself. By design, the sump pump will automatically activate when it detects water inside the sump pit, and it will also power off when that water has been pumped out.
But this entire system depends on you playing your part by giving the sump pump everything it needs to protect your home. As KRS Holdings, a Richmond property management says sump pumps rely on their owners to keep them in good condition and ensure their operating environment is always conducive.
Unless the owner plays their role, they cannot expect the sump pump to do its part. Homeowners’ failure to do maintenance is the reason for most sump pump failures. A sump pump that is not maintained is bound to fail unexpectedly and leave the home with a flooded basement.
When your sump pump is maintained, you get the following benefits:
Benefits of regular sump pump maintenance
Prolong the life of your equipment
Problems like a jammed impeller –caused by debris – can damage your sump pump. Improper maintenance will also force the pump to overwork itself. If these problems continue for long, the pump motor will fail, and you will have to buy a new sump pump. Proper maintenance lets your sump pump work better and also helps it last longer.
Keep your home safe from floods
The cost of maintaining your sump pump regularly is nothing compared to what you will spend to fix the damage to your home if the basement is flooded. This cost is not limited to the expense of fixing the damage to your building, it includes the health costs of mold growing in your home. By preventing flooding, sump pumps protect your home from mold and mildew.
Lower home maintenance costs
Flooding incidents undermine the value of your property. Over time, if the effects of flooding are not fully dealt with, they can cause chronic damage to the physical structures of your building. That can show up as wood rot, weakened masonry, damaged flooring, failed foundations and other kinds of problems. Regular sump pump maintenance can help you save money and avoid these issues.
Peace of mind
You will sleep with both eyes closed when your home is fully-protected because you know your sump pump is in good condition. You won’t have to worry about the safety of your property when you are away at work or on vacation. You can enjoy life better and be more productive at work because you will not have fear nibbling at the corners of your mind.
How to maintain your sump pump
To maintain your sump pump in good working condition, you must know how to maintain it and when to do those things. As a general rule, the harder your sump pump works, the more maintenance it will need to keep its parts from wearing out. Also, some tasks have to be done monthly, quarterly and yearly.
Here are the most essential sump pump maintenance steps:
Clean the sump pit
To keep debris from getting into your sump pump, clear the pit of all dirt and debris. Install a pit cover, if there is none, and ensure the cover can keep debris out of the sump pit.
Test the sump pump
To do this, fill the pit with water until the pump activates. Pay attention to any knocking or grinding noises and wait to see that the pump powers off.
Test the float switch
If your sump pump has a float switch, test it by lifting it until the sump pump activates. The motor should go off when you lower the float.
Clean the sump pump
Clean the grate at the bottom of the sump pump. Fill the pit with clean water and let the motor pump it out. Do this a few times to wash out any dirt inside the pump.
Check the sump pump power supply
Check that all electrical connections are safe and the pump gets power. Inspect the electrical cords for wear.
Grease the sump pump
If your sump has bearings that need greasing, do this. Consult the owner’s manual to see if your sump pump needs this and learn how to do it.
Inspect the drainage pipes
Check the pipe for loose joints, ensure there are no blockages, and the vent at the end of the discharge line is debris free.
Other important sump pump maintenance tasks include; making sure that the check valve is working and installing a backup sump pump system to keep your home safe in the event of power outages. To fix these and other issues, it is best to talk to a local plumber.