3 Tips for Maintaining Your Sump Pump

8/1/2021 (Permalink)

The best approach to determine if your pump is in good operating order is to test it.

Sump Pump Maintenance

Basements can flood from groundwater seeping into the foundation, sewer backup or intense rains.
A reliable sump pump is your basement's best friend, especially when Hardin Valley, TN, is undergoing storm season. To make sure your pump is always ready to protect your basement from water damage caused by flooding, you need to maintain it properly. Here are a few tips that water remediation experts suggest for good pump maintenance.

1. Keeping Clean

Your pump may have a tendency for calcium to build up, which can alter its effectiveness in an emergency situation. It is important, therefore, to clean the junk off your pump periodically to ensure its continued efficiency. You can use a bleach solution or a decalcifying agent to remove buildup from the basin and the interior. If needed, use a vinyl brush to assist with the cleaning process.

2. Checking Seals

Your sump pump may lose its seal, which can lead to a host of problems. A loose lid can expose the basement to the moisture within it, causing high humidity or moisture problems that negate the purpose of the pump. It can also allow various trash to gather in the basin, which can clog it and make it stop working when you need it to work. Regularly check to make sure the lid is sealed properly.

3. Testing Trigger

The best way to know if your pump is working properly is simply to test it. Using your hands or a bucket of water, splash the sensor to see if the pump kicks into gear. Every pump has some type of sensor, whether it is a switch, a floater or an electronic sensor, that should react when it senses floodwater. By creating a test flooding situation, you can identify issues that need to be addressed before a real flood hits.

When it's flood season in Hardin Valley, TN, you can't afford not to have a working sump pump. This device can be the difference between protecting your basement and having to pay for costly repairs.