Is Your Sump Pump Ready for a Storm?

8/28/2020 (Permalink)

Look out for common problem with your sump pump before they cause big problems for you.

Your basement – you might not feel like it’s the most important part of your home but if you’ve ever experienced a basement flood then you know just how devastating it can be. We often think of our homes as invincible; they do such a good job of protecting us from the elements most of the time. But if the little contraption in your basement that drains water away from your foundation isn’t working, you could be in store for a major disaster.

Did you know, for instance, that a sump pump is only good for about 10 years? That’s right, everything has a shelf-life and your sump pump is no exception. After a good solid decade of work, that little machine will be due for a change. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize or think about replacing their sump pump until it fails to do its job and you have to deal with some measure of flooding in you home. But if you’ve been in your home for a while and you’re not sure how much life your sump pump has left, you should call a plumber to come out and inspect it. They can let you know if it needs to be replaced or repaired before it’s too late.

Additionally, if your sump pump doesn’t have a lid, there is a chance that dirt and debris have gotten in and clogged it. You should inspect your sump pump on a regular basis to make sure that it isn’t clogged and that it drains the water effectively. Also, you should think about investing in a lid for that sump pump to prevent further troubles.

If your sump pump is running a lot or making excessive noise when it runs, that’s another good indicator that something is wrong. Grinding and thumping noises are definitely unusual for a sump pump so if you start to hear these noises it's probably time to call a professional.

And finally, it is of the utmost importance that your sump pump actually has power. If the circuit that the sump pump is on blows, you might not immediately notice unless it is also connected to something you frequently use. Even more common than that, however, is the instance where your sump pump was harmlessly unplugged but never plugged back in. You would be surprised at how many times this exact situation has spelled disaster for a home. Simply double-checking that the cord is safely plugged into the outlet could make all the difference in the world.

Sump pump testing is fairly easy so there is no excuse not to check yours out and ensure that you are protected. If something isn’t working properly, you will know to call a plumber and get yours in ship-shape before it’s too late. And if you don’t catch your working sump pump in time, SERVPRO of Portage County will be there to pick up the pieces. We are faster to any disaster.