If you have a basement, as many homes in Wichita do, one of the most vital pieces of equipment in your home is your sump pump. Sure, most of the time it sits there doing absolutely nothing, but you need to be certain that when that storm hits it is ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. If there is a problem with it you need to call in Ben Franklin’s Wichita sump pump repair specialists. We repair all makes of Wichita sump pump and we can supply a range of new pumps if your old one is beyond repair.

Sump Pumps and Battery Back-Up

One very good idea is a sump pump that has a battery back-up. In normal mode it runs on your electricity, but if you lose all power to your home in a storm the battery kicks in and keeps your pump running, ensuring your basement stays dry. These pumps can pump 2,400 gallons per hour.

An alternative is a water-powered sump pump that can pump up to 1,800 gallons per hour and runs off the city’s water supply. These pumps need no battery or electricity. At Ben Franklin, we have been installing these for over 30 years.

Our new pumps all have a silent check valve which means that you don’t get that loud thumping noise when your pump shuts off.

Alarm System

If you need Wichita sump pump repair we can also install an alarm system to your existing pump at the same time. This will go off if your pump fails, giving you an immediate alert to the problem.

Sump pumps don’t need a lot of routine maintenance, but it is a good idea to check them over every few months in order to avoid problems. One of the most common faults is a float failure. As the water in the sump pit rises, so does the float which is what triggers the pump into action.

To check the float, slowly pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The float should rise with the water and activate the pump which should shut down when the water has been pumped out. If the float doesn’t trigger the pump you may need Wichita sump pump repair.

One of the main causes of float problems is debris in the pit, so it is a good idea to check the pit every few months and clean out any dirt or rubbish that has accumulated.

Another problem with sump pumps is with the impeller. Debris can sometimes work past the filter and jam the impeller and if this is the case you will need Wichita sump pump repair from Ben Franklin because the whole pump will have to be dismantled.

As a general rule, there are not too many things to go wrong with a sump pump. However, if you are in any doubt you should call us in. It is better to be safe than sorry.