Sump Pump Maintenance: What You Should Do Seasonally
Sump pump maintenance may not be at the top of your to-do list. Hopefully, your sump pump doesn’t activate all that often, and if that is the case you may even forget about it. If you forget to do your sump pump maintenance, then when your sump pump is needed; it cannot work. If it does not work properly, your basement or crawl space may flood. To prevent that, there are a few sump pump maintenance items to do every season.
What is a Sump Pump?
Your sump pump is located in your basement or crawl space. Its job is to expel any water that is found in those areas. Especially when the area is flooded with water. This can help minimize any water damage that occurs. There are two styles of sump pumps, submersible and pedestal. The submersible style, as the name suggests, is submerged into the floor. This style tends to be more efficient, expensive, and also tends to be less noisy. The pedestal-style motor sits above the ground. They are an older style of sump pumps, nowadays we tend to recommend the submersible style.
Why is Sump Pump Maintenance Important?
Your sump pump can save you thousands and thousands of dollars if a basement or crawlspace flood ever occurs in your home. You may think that adding a sump pump maintenance routine to your existing home maintenance routine is a lot. However, you can do it seasonally. There are two to three things to do each season to help your sump pump work properly.
Winter Sump Pump Maintenance
In the winter your sump pump is susceptible to freezing just like your pipes are. Especially if you live in an area the temperature is consistently below freezing. It is important to prevent this freezing from happening. The first way to prevent any freezing of your sump pump is to insulate the discharge line. If your discharge line is already insulated then inspect the insulation, if it looks worn or damaged then it is time to replace it. At this time you also want to check the insulation around your sump pump.
The next piece of winter sump pump maintenance is to make sure your discharge lines are sloped correctly. They should be sloped downward and away from your home. While checking on that, make sure that they are free of debris as well.
Spring Sump Pump Maintenance
Your spring sump pump maintenance has a few more tasks than in the wintertime. This is mainly because spring tends to be a rainy season across the states. This can lead to more basement or crawl space flooding.
The first thing we suggest doing is a sump pump test. This needs to be done twice a year, and the process is extremely easy. The test is to make sure your sump pump can handle a flood. To test, all you need to do is fill a bucket with water and dump it in your sump pump. This will mimic a flood. If your sump pump expels the water quickly, with no delays in starting then it is good to go. If it doesn’t start you need to call 1-Tom-Plumber immediately to help get that rectified. We suggest calling a plumber if you notice anything out of the ordinary during this test.
The next sump pump maintenance item is to make sure your sump pump doesn’t have any sort of rocks, dirt, or any other debris that are in the pit of your sump pump. This can cause the sump pump not to work properly or become clogged with these foreign objects.
The last spring sump pump maintenance you need to do is inspect the lines. Make sure they are free of any cracks or damage. Replace the line as soon as possible if you spot even a small tear. While checking for cracks or damage, ensure that you fully attach the discharge line to the sump pump.
Summer Sump Pump Maintenance
Summer is another time that your sump pump may not be used as much. However, the hot temperatures in the summer can cause problems with your sump pump. Leave a window open or turn on a fan if your basement or crawl space isn’t well-ventilated. This will help your sump pump from overheating on hot days.
Clean your sump pump every so often, and summer tends to be the best time to do it. To clean your sump pump you need to first unplug it. After that, remove it from the hole. Then gently spray the sump pump with your hose. If the hose doesn’t clear away all the gunk, you may want to scrub it down with a brush. Let your sump pump dry fully after giving it a good rinse.
The last piece of summer sump pump maintenance is inspecting the battery backup. The battery backup system will start your machine if power goes out during a flood situation. Therefore, it is very important to test the backup battery. First, make sure there is no damage to the battery. After that, cut the power (via your circuit breaker) to your home. Then just test your sump pump the same way we mentioned doing in the spring. If the battery kicks on and expels the water then you are good to go. If not, you need to replace that battery.
Fall Sump Pump Maintenance
One of the best parts of the fall season is the beautiful leaves, however for your sump pump it is not. Depending on the location of your sump pump leaves can get stuck in the pit. Therefore, you must clear the debris. You can either scoop it out with your hands (please wear gloves) or use a wet/dry vacuum. It is important to make sure to turn off your sump pump before you start to clear the debris.
After that, follow the instructions in the spring maintenance section to test your sump pump. After testing, then check any joints in the sump pump.
Final Thoughts
While this may seem like a lot of extra work to do, remember that you can spread it across the season. However, you must make sure to complete every item on this sump pump maintenance checklist. Each item ensures that your sump pump continues to work correctly when needed.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with any plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage, or excavation services. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
