If you have a sump pump installed in your home, you obviously put it there for a very good reason – to keep your home free of water that can cause damage to your foundation, your possessions, and more. Sump pumps work well when installed correctly and when regularly maintained.
While it’s nice to “set it and forget it” when it comes to your sump pump, that’s really not the best agenda. You don’t need to tend to your sump pump every week, but it’s a good idea to regularly check it for any operating issues and to make sure it’s clean so that it does the work it’s intended to do.
What kind of maintenance issues should I look for?
Every 4 to 6 weeks or so, you should take a look at your pump just to make sure you’re not going to be dealing with any surprises in the near future. Here are a few things to check.
- Make sure the float arm is in the proper position. Vibrations can make it shift.
- Look at the power cord for frays or cracking and consider having it replaced if it looks worn.
- Test the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) to make sure it’s working and have it replaced immediately if it isn’t.
- Pour in a bucket of water to make sure it’s pumping properly.
- If your unit smells, you can perform a little do-it-yourself maintenance by pouring in a cup of regular white vinegar, which should handle the smell. If you’re concerned about bacteria, a quarter-cup of bleach should do the trick, but don’t mix the two.
Obviously, if you find issues with any of the above or discover that your sump pump is not doing its job and that you have water in your basement after a heavy rain, it’s definitely time to call in the experts at Urban Water Works.
You can also schedule routine maintenance for your sump pump even if you don’t observe a problem with it. Just as with your car or some of the other appliances in your home, a regular “check-up” ensures that the sump pump keeps working. This helps you avoid surprises that could be very costly should water seep into your home. Check out Urban Water Works service list.
Through regularly-scheduled thorough examinations of the pump, our technicians can determine whether all is working properly, if replacement parts are needed, or if a total replacement of your pump is necessary. If it is time to replace the sump pump, your technician will suggest a particular make and model that can properly accommodate the size of your basement and can also indicate where any adjustments need to be made as far as placement location or other issues.
When should I clean my sump pump?
How often you have your sump pump cleaned will depend mostly on how often it runs. If you’re in a climate where precipitation is a regular occurrence and your sump pump is always running, it’s a good idea to consider having it cleaned about every 3 to 6 months.
A good rule of thumb is to schedule a cleaning in late winter or early spring and then again in late summer or at the beginning of autumn. If you experience a lot of spring rain, you might want to clean it prior to the start of the summer season as well.
At Urban Water Works, we’ll be happy to come out to your home and clean your sump pump as well as tend to regular maintenance and repairs. In addition, we can suggest the right replacement pump if one is required, or install one in your new home if you haven’t done so yet.
For more information on sump pump installation and maintenance as well as the many other services we offer, contact Urban Water Works at 604-790-8993 or via online contact form.