Four Essential Tips To Help You Avoid Sump Pump Repairs
A sump pump can be essential if you want to avoid having a flooded basement, but unfortunately, if your pump breaks, your basement may still be in danger of flooding. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect your sump pump from breaking. Here are four essential tips to keep your sump pump up and running:
1. Make sure you buy a sump pump that meets your needs
One of the best ways to ensure your sump pump does not break is to have a pump that can handle the task at hand. Have a pump installer look at your pump before you buy it to ensure it can process enough litres per minute to accommodate the amount of flooding you expect. If you have just purchased a new home with a sump pump, you may also want to have it inspected to ensure it can meet your needs.
You also need to ensure the pump is made of a material that can last as long as you need. In most cases, you want a cast iron sump pump as this material can truly stand the test of time. As solids may sometimes get into the sump, you also want a pump that is able to handle all of your anticipated solids.
2. Monitor and repair the sump screen as needed
In most cases, your sump will have a screen that prevents too many solids from entering the sump and passing through the pump. If too many solids enter the sump, they can clog the lines and ultimately break the pump. Check your screen occasionally to ensure it is firmly fitted over the drain leading to the pump. If it has worn down or gotten holes in it, replace it.
If you discover that the screen is not working properly, access the sump and manually remove as much silt and debris as possible. That helps to protect the pump.
3. Schedule annual maintenance to protect your pump
To further protect your pump, schedule routine maintenance for your sump pump before the rainy season starts or at least once per year. Most sump pumps work with a remote float control switch, meaning they sense when the water levels are high and then self-activate. Once the water levels are low enough, the pump turns back off.
If damaged, this delicate component could allow your basement to flood or break your pump entirely. If the pump is not able to sense rising water levels, it will not activate and do its critical job of removing water. On the other hand, if the pump continues to run and does not sense that it needs to stop, it could run dry and completely break.
Have a pump repair specialist check out these features and ensure everything is working properly. Scheduling routine maintenance can save you from having to pay for repairs down the road.
4. Take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing
You don't just have to maintain your pump and accessories during the rainy season; you also need to ensure it is all protected in the winter. During the winter, you may have to take extra precautions so the pipes leading from the sump pump to the sewage system do not freeze.
Ideally, the pipes leading out of your house should be angled downward so gravity can help the water flow too quickly to freeze. During extremely cold winters, you may want to give the pipes some extra protection. Regardless of the speed of water flow, if the outside air is excessively cold, the water could freeze. To prevent that, surround the pipes with straw bales and cover them with a tarp for an extra layer of protection.
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