Choosing and Maintaining a Sump Pump

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Halt basement flooding in its tracks by purchasing a quality sump pump and keeping it humming with annual maintenance.

During a storm, after heavy rain or if a pipe bursts in your home, you could get a flood of water in your basement, causing lots of damage to your structure and possessions. Having a well-operating sump pump can keep the flooding to a minimum.

A sump pump sits either beneath or above the floor of your basement and pumps out water that collects in the sump basin, discharging it to the outdoors.

Follow these guidelines when buying a sump pump:

• If your sump basin has the space, choose a submersible pump over a pedestal pump. Submersible pumps allow the sump pit to be covered with a lid, which reduces pump noise and keeps the pit free of debris.
• Buy a pump with a cast iron—not plastic—core. Cast iron helps to dissipate heat to the surrounding water, lengthening the life of the pump.
• The pump should have a no-screen intake design coupled with an impellor that can handle solids up to ½-inch in diameter. This will minimize the chance of clogs.
• The switch should be mechanical, not a pressure switch, and the float should be solid.
• Consider a pump with an alarm that tells you when the water reaches a certain level.

You can install the pump yourself or hire a professional.

Annual Maintenance for Your Pump

Ensure your peace of mind by performing routine maintenance each spring. Do these tasks at least once a year to keep your sump pump humming:

1. Clean and lubricate the pump. Unplug the pump, disconnect it from the discharge pipe and pull the pump out of the sump. If there is a screen at the pump’s base, hose away any debris and rinse off its housing. Lubricate the pump bearings, if required.
2. Inspect the check valve. If the internal flap doesn’t swing freely, flush it out. If you see mineral deposits, soak the valve in vinegar.
3. Test the float switch. Pour a few gallons of water into the sump to see if it comes on and pumps out the water. If it doesn’t, repair or replace the switch.
4. Press the outlet’s test and reset buttons (per code, a sump pump has to be plugged in to a GFCI receptacle).
5. Got a backup battery? Top off its cells with distilled water.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property

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The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

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If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property