In most places, the heat and humidity usually creates the perfect scenario for storms. Summer storms can range from light rain showers to torrential downpours. Unfortunately, both can lead to property damage if your sump pump doesn’t work.
Flooding is also common during a storm. Luckily, most homeowners have a hero in their sump pump during this event. For this reason, it’s important to prepare ahead of time and make sure you are sump pump ready for summer storms.
Keep reading to learn how to prep your sump pump for the summer.
What is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a device in your plumbing system that is located within the basement. Its purpose includes removing excess water in the sump basin. However, sump pumps can malfunction and even stop working.
Does Your Home Have a Sump Pit?
In order for a sump pump to work, your home must have a sump pit. A sump pit is a hole in the basement where the water is extracted. Sump pits aren’t always included into a home. This is mainly prevalent in areas where storms rarely happen.
However, if you’re in an area where storms are common, that hole in the ground can help keep your home safe. If your home doesn’t have a sump pit, you need to contact a professional who can create one.
Look For Signs of Damage or Corrosion
Like other types of appliances in your home, sump pumps can malfunction. While they’re built to last, that doesn’t mean they are indestructible. In fact, you’ll know that your sump pump is damaged if you experience one or more signs.
Here are some of the most common signs that your sump pump is damaged:
- It’s constantly vibrating while being operated
- There’s noticeable rust along the pump
- The pump is incredibly noisy
- The pump is running non-stop
- The sump pump is too old
- It won’t turn on
- There’s a noticeable clog
Thankfully, these signs are easy to spot. If you think there your sump pump is malfunctioning, contact a local plumber who specializes in sump pumps replacement and repair.
Perform Sump Pump Maintenance
While most people opt to have a plumber look at their sump pump, you can also perform routine maintenance. Taking apart the entire system is something that requires extensive knowledge, however, the bare basics of sump pump maintenance are pretty straightforward.
Basic sump pump maintenance includes:
- Disconnecting the pump from the basin
- Checking to see if the basin has any debris and clearing it out
- Reconnecting the sump pump and plug it into the outlet
- Testing it by adding water and watching if it activates correctly
If your sump pump doesn’t activate the way it should when you add the water, the system may be old or it’s malfunctioning.
Making sure you are sump pump ready for summer storms is easy. But unless you have experience in the field, it’s best to leave any necessary repairs to the professionals.