Water can be one of the most damaging outside forces to a home and even a small amount can lead to significant repair costs. While plumbing leaks can cause tremendous damage in a short amount of time, these often make themselves apparent relatively quickly and can be mitigated once they are identified. A type of water intrusion that is often not noticed for longer periods of time (therefore giving the water more time to cause damage) is intrusion from exterior surface runoff. When combined with negative grading and groundwater, this can flood basements and crawlspaces, areas that are often not visible to a homeowner. One way to combat this intrusion is with the use of a sump pump.
Sump pumps are submersible devices that are installed in the lowest point of a crawlspace basement. It is usually composed of a container with perforated sides, a pump, and a drain pipe to direct water away from the home. When the container begins to fill with water, a float is lifted which actives the pump system. The pump draws water out of the container and into the drain pipe, which discharges the water away from the home.
Sump Pump Alarm
While sump pumps often are installed in areas that are unfinished and can sometimes be difficult to access, they do require regular maintenance like other appliances in the home. Items to do on a regular basis every 3-4 months include checking that the power to the pump is on and to clean the inlet screen. Cleaning the inlet screen with a brush and towel will help to keep inlet clear and allow water to easily enter the sump pit without it becoming clogged or backed up. After cleaning the inlet, pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to see if the float lift actives and begins pumping water out of the pit properly. You can also lift the float manually to see if the pump responds, however be sure to use a non-electric conducting tool and don’t run the pump too long in this manner as it can damage or burn out the pump if it is run dry.
Having a qualified contractor service this pump annually is recommended, ideally in the fall before the first heavy rains of the year begin so that your sump pump is ready to go and can help to protect your home from water intrusion.