If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (913) 381-6550

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

How To Maintain a Sump Pump

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

A sump pump can help to remove water from your home.

Sump Pump Maintenance Measures

Homeowners depend on sump pumps to prevent water from accumulating in basements or crawl spaces. These pumps cannot work without a power source and functional, unobstructed components. Perform the following pump maintenance measures several times a year to ensure that the sump pump in your home will function properly in the event of a flood.

Check Power Sources

Sump pumps should have primary and emergency backup power sources. Test both to ensure that the pump will work regardless of whether the power is on.

  • Make sure the pump is plugged into a functional ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, outlet.
  • Check the power cord for damage.
  • Replace a backup battery at least every two to three years.

These measures can keep the pump in your home running reliably and safely.

Clear Debris

Debris may accumulate in several parts of a sump pump. Clear clogs when you perform pump maintenance.

  • Check the intake screen for blockages and remove debris.
  • Clear out the pit and make sure the float is functional.
  • Eliminate obstructions in the discharge pipe and vent hole.

Dirt, gravel, and other types of debris can force a pump to work overtime to drain the basin. This will put more stress on the pump machinery and increase the risk of an overflow.

Test the Pump

Make sure the pump is working by filling a bucket with water and dumping it into the basin. The float should trigger the pump to activate, and the water should drain. If the pump does not activate, check the float and power source. Schedule a repair if you cannot determine the source of the problem.

A sump pump can help to remove water from the basement or crawl space of your home. Pump failure or malfunction can lead to flooding. Clean up and repair damage by hiring residential mitigation and restoration experts in Prairie Village, KS.

Other News

View Recent Posts