Sump Pump Maintenance

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Sump pump failure can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

Being a home owner isn’t easy, but it is rewarding. Being able to call the home “mine”, knowing that you work hard for your money, you take pride in everything you put into your home. From the paint colors to the furniture, the pictures on the wall to way you clean it. It’s your sanctuary.

Every sanctuary has its own maintenance team, as a home owner that’s normally you. Most of the time you are not a master of all trades, so here are a few tips to help protect your home from a sump pump failure.

Performing basic sump pump maintenance is usually as simple as doing these few jobs:

• Ensure the pump itself is standing upright. Vibrations during operation can cause it to fall or tilt onto one side. This can jam the float arm so it can't activate the pump.
• Make sure the pump is plugged in to a working ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet and the cord is in good shape. In damp areas, GFCI ­breakers may trip, effectively shutting off the sump pump. Check in on your sump pump periodically so you can reset the GFCI if necessary.
• Physically remove a submersible pump from the pit and clean the grate on the bottom. The sucking action of the pump can pull small stones into the grate, blocking the inlet or damaging the pump over time.
• Periodically pour a bucket of water into the pit to make sure the pump starts automatically and the water drains quickly once the pump is on. If the pump doesn't start, have it serviced.
• Ensure the outlet pipes are tightly joined together and draining out at least 20 feet (6 meters) away from your foundation.
• Make sure the vent hole in the discharge pipe is clear.

You may not be able to avoid a total disaster, but having an action plan in place can prevent further damage. SERVPRO® of Southeast Grand Rapids  is here to help with your sump pump failure 24/7 at 616-977-9800.

If you’re not sure what you are doing or have a bigger issue with your pump, call a plumber to have it checked out. Now that you know a few things on how to maintain your sump pump, go be your maintenance team and keep the pride of your sanctuary at the top of the list.