We all know what Chicago weather can be like, especially, in the fall! I think it’s safe to say that Mother Nature feels as if anything goes, from Indian summer weather, to blustery fall days, to torrential down pours , like we have had in the recent past weeks. With storms like that, our phones go crazy with calls about failed sump pumps. Unfortunately, the results are usually devastating and costly!! Here are some things you can do to make sure your sump pump is working properly to avoid issues during the storms.
What is a sump pump and what does it do?
A sump pump in short, is a self-activating electrical pump that is triggered automatically by water. The sump pump is usually in a crawlspace or unfinished basement area where it can expel water through a series of pipes that lead to the exterior of your home. There are two different types of sump pumps, ground water and grey water.
Ground water sump pumps do exactly what the name suggests, pumps ground water from around the foundation and out of the sump pump pit and pumps it away from your home.
Grey water sump pumps, pump ground water and waste water from the household, mostly from the laundry, and pump it from the pit away from your home.
Before we experience our next round of storms, take a few moments to make sure your sump pump is ready and functioning properly . Also, familiarize yourself with what kind of sump pump you have and if you have a battery back up system.
Visually inspect your sump pump and make sure it is securely plugged into a working GFCI outlet and the electrical cord is not damaged or frayed.
Make sure the sump pump and all of its parts are free and clear of any debris or dirt. Bits of gravel can clog up the pipe from being pumped out making the unit work harder to drain water away from your home. Also, inspect the outside drain line to make sure it ins’t obstructed as well.
Check that the sump pump float can move up and down freely. This is the trigger for the sump pump to turn on and off. If it is obstructed or bent, the float will not activate the system properly.
Running a simple test can help ensure that your sump pump is working properly. Pour a 5-gallon bucket of water into the sump pump pit. Watch to make sure the pump is unobstructed as it rises with the level of water. When it reaches a certain height, the float should trigger the pump to come on. Take a look to be sure the pump is expelling the water out of the home and there is nothing in the way of the exterior pipe that could block that water from draining away from your home.
Many sump pumps have a back-up battery. Check how long that battery has been installed in your pump. If it is older than three years, it’s a good idea to install a new one.
If you find water in your crawl space or basement, it most likely means your sump pump has failed, or there was a power outage and the sump pump wasn’t working due to the power failure, and it’s time to call Super Rooter to come and replace it. Before your sump pump fails you may want to call us, to discuss getting a battery back up sump pump, so you don’t have to worry about failures in the future.