If you have a basement, flooding should be something you think about. To prevent flooding, you can do several things, like maintaining clean downspouts, always fixing foundation cracks, and making sure windows include covers. When the water reaches the basement, your sump pump is basically your only line of defense that remains.
Since sump pump repair can be quite expensive, maintenance instantly becomes crucial. The following maintenance tips for sump pumps should be known by every homeowner.
Be Aware Of The Functionalities Of Your Sump Pump
You need to know as much as possible about your sump pump. This allows you to be aware of the pump’s weaknesses, needs, and strengths. At the bare minimum, you should be aware of:
- The age of the unit (older models have problems more often)
- Existing issues
- Where you can get parts for replacements
When you recently bought a sump pump, you need to keep instructions safe. You can even consider keeping digital copies on a mobile device or on a computer to have the references you need. When you do not know anything about the sump pump, see if a model number is written on the motor. If this is not the case, try to find the brand and then use appearance to figure out the model.
Periodically Check The Sump Pump
Since it is impossible to know when the basement is going to flood, sump pump maintenance should be done around one time per month. This is important to see if everything works as it needs to. Check the connection between the sump pump and the power source. Then, just pour some water inside the pit. Check the pump as it is running and see if there are odd noises that appear. If so, contact a technician.
Understand Signs Of Problems
The sump pump is a machine so there are some signs that you can look out for so you could identify issues. Some of the very common ones are:
- The pump is making strange noises, which means some parts might be worn-out.
- There are grinding or rattling noises, which might mean the impeller is damaged or jammed.
- Sump pumps randomly turn off and on even if they should run.
- The sump pump motor is vibrating excessively, which means the impeller might be deformed or bent.
- You see an oil leak, which is a serious sign your sump pump might soon fail.
Deep Clean The Sump Pump When Needed
For the sump pump to operate properly, it is important for it to be clean. This extends lifespan and efficiency. You can clean the sump pit and the sump pump by following these steps:
- Make sure the sump pump is turned off and that nobody uses connected appliances like the washing machine.
- Take a garden hose and rinse your pump. Utilize a putty knife or a plastic scraper so you remove all caked debris.
- Take a wet vacuum and clean the sump pit.
- After the sump pump is dry, you want to reattach it and then turn it back on.