Don’t Let Your Sump Pump Fail On You

sump-pumpBy actively removing excess water, a sump pump can save your basements and crawl spaces from taking on massive water damage. Their operation is entirely automatic, so you won’t have to worry even when you’re away from home.

Of course, that can only be true when the pump is working properly in the first place. To ensure that your sump pump is going to do what it’s supposed to do, when it’s supposed to do it, you’ll want to ensure that it’s always in good condition. Here’s how:

Test It Regularly

You don’t need to be an expert of plumbing in Albuquerque, NM just to test your sump pump. Testing your sump pump is free, and it’s just as easy as you can imagine it would be. All you need is a bucket of water. Pour the water into the sump, and let the water rise until the float activates the pump. This will be enough to confirm if the pump is activating like it should.

However, you’ll also want to make sure that it’s draining properly, too. You’ll have to ensure that it’s actually being pumped out of the sump and that there’s nothing preventing the water from draining.

You should test and inspect your sump pump about every 4 to 6 weeks. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with preventive devices like sump pumps.

Don’t Skip Maintenance

For all the potential issues that you can’t see or encounter with the bucket test, you’ll need sump pump maintenance. Once a year should be enough if your sump pump doesn’t see much action. If it does activate frequently, however, then you’ll want to have it tuned-up every four to six months.

The best times to get maintenance are just after the snow starts melting and before the rainy spring season begins—roughly late winter and early spring. Sticking to a maintenance schedule will help ensure that you’re getting service at the right time.

Some of the tasks you can expect to be performed during a routine sump pump maintenance check include:

  • Checking the GFCI outlet is working properly. If not reset, it can prevent the sump pump from turning on.
  • Inspecting the power cord.
  • Cleaning the sump pump basin.
  • Replacing the pump when necessary.
  • Testing your sump pump backup.

Know When to Replace

It might be easy to take your sump pump for granted and forget that it will one day need replacement—especially since these devices are rated to last ten to twelve years. We don’t expect everyone to mark their calendars for the day they need a brand new sump pump, so the next best thing you can do is stay up to date with regular maintenance and testing. Your plumber will be able to give you their assessment and estimate for how much longer the sump pump will last.

If you have questions or concerns about your sump pump, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Contact Santa Fe Express Plumbing & Drain today to speak with an expert. Why Wait for Services When You Can Get It Express?

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