Maintaining a Sump Pump

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

A sump pump can be a great way to get rid of excess water during heavy rains and flooding

Pump Maintenance

Many people install a sump pump if they live in an area with high water tables, such as New Briton, PA, have poorly draining soil, or have cracks in their home's foundation. Additionally, many homeowners who live in high-risk flood zones install these pumps in preparation for any flooding. These machines will spit any excess that enters your basement out into your yard and prevent you from having to worry about the costs of flood damage and cleanup. Because they have such unusual operating schedules, it is necessary to perform regular pump maintenance to keep your appliance working at peak performance.

Every 3-4 Months
It is a good idea to run through a simple series of tests every three or four months to make sure that your pump is still operating at its best. The tasks you should perform include:

• Cleaning the pump inlet screen
  
• Checking the power cord for nicks or kinks
  
• Testing the outlet to make sure the pump has electricity
  
• Dumping a bucket of water to raise the float and make sure the pump drains properly
  
  

Every Year
Once per year, you should perform a more thorough examination of your machine. Begin by removing your pump from where it has been submerged. Thoroughly clean both the machine and the hole in which it was submerged. While you have the pump out, check the owner's manual to see if you should grease or oil the bearings. If so, follow the instructions in the manual to complete this task properly. When you have finished, put the pump back into the hole where it normally sits. Since you are already working on your sump pump, this may be a good time to perform your regular tests to make sure the pump still works properly.
A sump pump can be a great way to get rid of excess water during heavy rains and flooding. However, it is important to perform regular checks and maintenance to ensure that your machine keeps working at peak performance.