You probably don’t think about your sump pump often because it’s out of sight in your basement. However, your sump pump keeps your home safe from flooding, so you can’t afford to ignore it. Here are some reasons why sump pump maintenance is important.
Prevent Water Damage
Thunderstorms are common in Richmond, VA, during the spring, and they can lead to flooded basements. Fortunately, sump pumps are designed to work automatically. They go on when needed and stay in standby mode when not required. Unfortunately, this means that if they malfunction, you won’t notice anything wrong immediately.
Sump pump maintenance can ensure your sump pump activates and does its job when needed, keeping your home safe from water damage.
Extend Lifespan
Sump pump components can wear out over time without regular maintenance. When you schedule sump pump maintenance, your plumber will thoroughly inspect the sump pump to ensure everything is working correctly and replace worn-out components if necessary.
Prevent Costly Replacement
Falling behind on sump pump maintenance can permanently damage your sump pump, forcing you to install a new one. Regular sump pump maintenance can ensure your sump pump remains in good condition, saving you from incurring the hefty costs required to purchase and install a new pump.
Performing a DIY Sump Pump Maintenance
Ideally, you should hire a professional plumber to perform comprehensive sump pump maintenance at least once annually. However, you should also perform a few simple maintenance tasks yourself to ensure your sump pump remains in tip-top condition. Here are the key tasks you should perform:
- Check the sump pump power supply to ensure it’s working correctly, and all connections are safe. When doing this, check that the pump is connected to a functioning GFCI outlet and ensure the cord is in good condition.
- Make sure the pump is upright and level. When operating, a sump pump can produce vibrations that can destabilize it and cause it to fall, affecting its ability to work properly.
- Periodically, pour water into the pit until it rises to a level of about nine inches to trigger the pump and drain the water once the pump starts running. If the pump doesn’t activate, you should contact a plumber to perform sump pump maintenance.
- Clean the sump pump, paying attention to the grate at the bottom since it’s prone to accumulating debris.
- Some sump pump models require lubrication. If yours does, ensure you grease it. If you’re unsure whether your model requires greasing, check your manual.
- Inspect the outlet pipes that direct water away from your home, and tighten any loose joints. Also, ensure they drain water at least 20 feet away from your home’s foundation.
Schedule Sump Pump Maintenance
Keeping up with home maintenance tasks can feel endless. If you don’t have the time to perform sump pump maintenance, the experts at Assure Plumbing and Septic can relieve you of the task. Our plumbers are licensed and certified to tackle any job, so you can rest assured they’ll get the job done.