Keep an Eye on Your Sump Pump

Local meteorologists are predicting that our area could see three additional inches of rain before the end of this weekend.The team at Thompson Building Associates would like to remind you to keep an eye on your sump pump to help prevent your basement from experiencing water damage. The modern sump motor is more resistant to rust and corrosion and is now made mostly of plastic and stainless steel. The sump motor is like any other motor, whether it's a lawn mower, a leaf blower, or an automobile, the older it is the more likely it is to breakdown. The estimated lifespan of a sump motor is much debated, ranging from 5 to 15 years, if it is over 10 years have a plumber evaluate it and replace if necessary. We recommend that you have a plumber perform an annual check-up on the sump motor. However, you can also give your sump pump a check-up and the only tools you'll need are a flashlight, a bucket and about 10 minutes. A sump pump is a pretty simple operation. Most sump pumps have a float switch, when the water rises the float activates a switch, the motor turns on, and the pump pulls the water out of the pit and sends it up through the PVC piping. To inspect the pump: First, unplug the sump pump (modern electric code calls for a GFCI outlet) from the outlet. Next remove the sump cover (if your home has a radon mitigation system the sump cover needs to be removed by a professional). Look into the sump pit. Look to see if there is a little oil slick on the water in the pit. If so the pump is releasing coolant and should be replaced. Look to see if there is any debris in the pit and if so remove it. Find the water intake on the pump (a round hole with a screen) and remove any debris with your hand. Next examine the float switch and make sure no debris is interfering with the float going up and down. Plug the sump motor back in, get a bucket of water and slowly poor it in the sump pit. Watch the float rise and the motor activate. The motor should run smoothly, in rhythm, and shouldn't be noisy, or race, or sputter, if so you probably need a replacement. The motor should stop when the water is removed. Finally, you should have a battery back-up in case of an electrical outage. The batteries come in a variety of strengths and are priced according to the protection they provide. Many people now have a 2nd or back-up pump inserted in the sump pit and if the motor on the 1st quits, the 2nd will kick on saving the basement from flooding. If your basement floods, you should consider that an emergency that requires immediate action. Standing water in your basement jeopardizes the health and safety of you and your family, as the structural integrity of your home is at risk. Most homeowners who experience basement flooding rely on a professional water damage company. Professionals like ResQ 24 by Thompson Building Associates have the training and equipment to get the job done right. We also know the importance of getting your home and life back to normal as soon as possible. For more information, give us a call and talk to one of our team members today. 614-863-8650