Get and Keep That Sump Pump Running Right

Your basement is all aflood and your sump pump is not handling it well. After all, a Stewartville area sump pump is no stranger to water in the lower level. Your home could be sitting on a high water table. If so, chances are you run into water in the basement virtually every time it rains. With this water comes frequent replacement of sump pumps—they are counted upon to do quite a bit of work. We at Gander Plumbing have seen this on a regular basis. As such, we would like to share some tips with you on how you can try to ensure that your sump pump lasts a while—the bonus being a dry lower level!

Sump Pump Efficiency Tips:

1. Take a long peek inside of that sump pump area. Clean the pit; remove any dirt, sand, gravel and other debris to allow for highest pit efficiency, prolonging the life of your sump pump. Clear the discharge line opening of any obstructions so that water can be pumped through it.
2. Always have a back-up battery in place to ensure that your sump pump works through a power outage. If a power outage lasts for an extended period of time, or if you run into frequently occurring power outages, the back-up battery will keep things running. You have multiple options here, marine-grade being strong enough to last half a day. A different type of battery uses water pressure from your water lines to force flood water out of your sump pit.
3. Pour buckets of water into your sump pump to test it. Dump the water directly into the sump pit, which should turn on the sump pump. The sump pump now being on, it should move the water from the pit, shutting itself off within seconds. Ensure that the float and the check valve move freely.
4. Sump pumps all eventually meet their maker. Both electronic and mechanized, the moving parts wear down and need replacement at some point. No general timeframe exists on the lastability of a sump pump—its life dependent upon how much it is used. Check it fairly often to ensure it is in working order.
5. Know a good plumber and reach out to them if sump pump issues appear too daunting. If you find yourself standing in the middle of a flooded lower level, you do not want to have to call around for a best option.

Are you interested in learning more about potential issues with your sump pump in Stewartville and surrounding areas? Call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540, or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.