Sump pumps are a crucial component to any home with a basement—no matter whether your basement is finished or not. Especially with the rainy season upon us, it’s important to make sure your sump pump is in working order and ready to handle heavy rainfall.

Sump pumps are essentially your last line of defense when it comes to heavy rainfall, flooding, and other water emergencies. They work by clearing away water from the lowest point of your basement and sending that water through a pipe to the outside to drain. If your sump pump isn’t working properly, you could be in danger of flooding in your basement.

Here are some tips for sump pump maintenance:

Note: Before you do perform any maintenance on your sump pump, make sure you read the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

  • Test your sump pump regularly. You can easily test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pump pit to the level of the float. The float is the trigger that initiates the pumping mechanism. You can also test by lifting the lever manually. If the system isn’t turning on as it should, you may need help.
  • Test the alarm. Not every sump pump comes with an alarm. If yours has one, test it regularly like you would your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Check the discharge location. Every sump pump has a pipe running from it to the outside or a discharge location. Many of these pipes are at least 20 feet away from your home to ensure the water does not come back into your house. Check the discharge pipe to ensure it’s not blocked.
  • Backup power source. After all, most times when your sump pump is running is during a storm and during storms, there is an increased likelihood of power outages. Combine flooding with a power outage and it’s a recipe for disaster. Make sure you have a reliable backup source for power and that it’s in working condition.
  • Check the cords. Sometimes the cords for the unit can get tangled in the pit or the unit itself and can cause issues. Make sure the cords are tied up and free from the pit basin.

Sump Pump Installation or Repair in Port St. Lucie

If you’re in a home with a basement, it’s important to have a sump pump installed. You never know when disaster could strike. Make sure you have a backup battery installed. Contact the plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Port St. Lucie for expert sump pump installation, repairs, and maintenance.