Sump pump maintenance is an important step in the life cycle of your equipment. You cannot neglect this if you want to get the full 25 years out of a pedestal pump or 15 out of a submersible.
There are different schools of thought on how often to inspect your sump pump. Most agree that you should check it out professionally once a year while others insist on monthly and quarterly checks for optimum performance.
In the following article, we’ll just be giving you the five tips every homeowner should know if they want to keep things flowing correctly. Let’s begin!
1. Confirm That Power Is Getting There
Electricity is highly important to any basement sump pump’s operations, so you’ll want to make sure the main power and the battery backup are operational. If they’re not, then you’ve likely solved the problem. If they are, then you’ll need to initiate a few more diagnostic checks.
2. Monitor Vibrations and Tilt
Sump pumps use a lot of power to pump water away from the structure and toward necessary outlets. That can lead to a lot of vibration with the pump itself, causing it to tilt, thus slowing or impeding the flow of water. Watch the pump in operation to see what the vibration levels are like and if there is any evidence of tilting.
3. Adjust Water Levels
A sump pump may sometimes fail to respond if there isn’t enough water to get it to the fill line. If you suspect this might be the problem, then consider adding more water to see how the pump responds.
4. Check the Discharge Pipe for Obstructions
The discharge pipe is an important part of a fully operational sump pump, and these can be subject to obstruction. Find the discharge pipe at your location and see if you can fish anything out of it. Also, make sure yours is not unlawfully discharging to sewage systems.
5. Clean the Pump and Pit Annually
Some sump pump problems aren’t confined to the pump itself but the location of where it rests. Dirt and other obstructions that get down into the pit with the sump pump can affect the positioning and the pump to the degree that it slows or impedes the flow of water. Make time to clean out both pump and pit at least once per year.
Bonus Tip: Get a Professional Inspection
Finally, realize you’re dealing with a complicated plumbing solution with a sump pump, and if you don’t have the skills of a certified plumber, you could be doing more harm than good. It’s fine to tinker and explore some of the tips we’ve shared above, but do try to have a professional look at the pump once each year and offer any advice or suggestions to maximize operations.
Basic Sump Pump Maintenance Can Save You Money and Frustration
We hope this look at basic sump pump maintenance will give you some peace of mind if you have a sump pump that’s had a few birthdays since it was first installed. For more information on interior design and home DIY projects, check out some of our related posts.