Is Your Sump Pump Ready For This Winter?

If you belong in the group of new homeowners you may be just learning the tricks for its maintenance. Moreover, you perhaps don’t even know if your new home has a sump pump and also where it is located. But it is very important for you to get to know this device well and the way you should take care of it through the year. This is because the sump pump is your most essential protection against the basement flood.

In a house with basement, the sump pump is usually placed in sump pit and at the lowest point of the floor. The sump pumps primary job is to catch the groundwater that is seeping inside all the way through the foundation draining system; and pump it outside your house.

During the floods and rainy seasons, even when your homes pluming system fails; a sump pump that works excellent can send away thousands of gallons water in an hour.

So keep your sump pump in great shape because in fact that is a very small thing to do; that small so you may easy fail to notice. And the consequences of the sump pump failure can be enormous. In other words don’t wait for the winter to come with the heavy rains and the melting snow. We recommend that you maintain your pump at least once in a year, right before the winter arrives.

This is your necessary checklist for sump pump maintenance;

Examine your sump pump for functionality by simply pouring a bucket of water in the sump pit. The sump pump should then turn on automatically; and pump the water away in small period of time. The pumps are using a float in order to detect water. This float can turn out to be stuck because of sediment and dirt. So if your sump pumps power is on; and yet it doesn’t pump during the test you should then first check the float. If this doesn’t help, then call for service.

Be certain that your sump pump is turned on while connected to power.

Perform a detailed maintenance as listed in the manual for the battery backup system.
Ensure that the sump pumps discharge line doesn’t have any obstructions. Small parts typically can flow through; but rocks for example can sometimes get stuck in the sump pump, the grate or the discharge line where they can slow down the water flow.
Disconnect the sump pump from the power source, carefully remove it from the pit and cautiously clean all the reachable parts of sediment, dirt and small stones. If it is possible, you should remove the grate also and clean it alone. Clean up the sump pit area. Specific instructions for the precise model on how to clean a sump pump can be very useful.
Depending of the pump, submersible or pedestal, you will in generally know its lifetime period. Submersible sump pump lasts five to fifteen years; and pedestal pump lasts twenty to thirty years. Frequency of the usage is playing a big role in the duration of the pump. If you live in area with elevated water table; you should check your pump’s original documentation. You can also find it online through the model number. Then you will know what replacement period is recommendable by the manufacturer.
Annual visit from a licensed plumber for inspecting and maintaining your sump pump can be very useful. Don’t forget to inform your plumber about the age of your sump pump and also ask for opinion about when the replacement of the pump is necessary.

Protect your home this winter from any kind of damage and prepare your sump pump.

If you need to repair or replace it, do not hesitate to contact the certified professional team at Draintony. In our wide-ranging plumbing supplies inventory; you can always find the right products you need for completing your task.

So is your Sump Pump Ready For This Winter? Call us today at (416) 938-5102, or contact us for more information about our available services and products.