If you live in a house or own commercial property with a basement, you may have experienced water issues. Property owners who experience water problems in their basements are no strangers to sump pumps. A sump pump is used to drain the water out of your basement and keep your property dry on rainy days.
Since sump pumps are mechanical devices, they undoubtedly need to be adequately managed to get the most out of your investment. Routine maintenance can help extend the life of your sump pump and keep your basement as dry as possible. While hiring a professional to service your sump pump at least once every six months is recommended, you should also know the basics. Let’s take a closer look at the guidelines you need to follow to maintain your sump pump.
Precautions
Before you do anything, you need to check if the ground-fault circuit interpreter (GFCI) is working or not (if installed). Check that the power wire is plugged in and is dry. If it isn’t, avoid touching it until a professional arrives. Since water and electricity don’t work well together, you could get seriously injured if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Functionality Test
You can perform a basic functionality test on your sump pump. Simply put a bucket of water in the area and see if your sump pump automatically turns on and eliminates the moisture. If it is not working, try to lift the float, which can be a simple fix. If this doesn’t work, it’s best to seek professional assistance.
Sump Pump Cleaning
To clean your sump pump, you need to disconnect the pump and take it out of the pit (if necessary). Next, remove the cover lid and clean any dirt buildup with a cloth. Remove any debris or obstacles like rocks, plastic, or any other concrete out of the pump body.
Valve Inspection
Generally, a sump pump uses inlet and outlet valves and a check valve. To clean the valve, you need to remove it and use a soft brush. After proper cleaning, reattach the valves and check for leakage. To do this, make sure the valve eliminates the water from your house.
Impeller Cleaning
Without a working impeller, your pump is nothing but a casing. Impellers work to push the water out of the pit. You need to clean the impeller to avoid rust. A good indication that there’s an issue with a dirty impeller is when you notice a whining sound.
Check the Float Component
The float is one of the vital components of your pump. It should be able to freely move up and down to turn the pump on and off. To keep it working, you need to make sure the float is not blocked by anything. Remove anything blocking your float, and you should notice a change in how your pump works.
Efficiency Check
A good sump pump drains all of the water from your house. So, to check the pump’s efficiency, go out of the house and check how far the water is being pumped out of the house and how efficiently.
Discharge Line Check
A sump pump works to discharge water out of your house, so the water flow must be moving in the right direction. If the drain is blocked, this could cause the water to flow inside your home instead of out. Therefore, make sure the drain is clear enough for a smooth passage Plumber in Norco.
Power Backups
If you haven’t already, make sure you have a backup power source for your sump pump. This will help you avoid a flood in case of a power outage.
If you need service to your sump pump, The Original Plumbing Company is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert Ontario plumbers.