Homeowners rely on sump pump systems to prevent water from flooding their homes. Waking up to several inches of water in your basement in Rockwall, TX would be a nightmare, and it might happen if your sump pump fails. Fortunately, there are some ways to extend your sump pump’s life so that you can continue counting on it without the constant worry of a basement flooding disaster. Our professional plumbers at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric are prepared to help.
Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Installed Correctly
Your sump pump’s lifespan depends on how well it was initially installed. It should be installed at the lowest point of your basement since water flows down rather than up.
To work properly, a sump pump’s components must be installed correctly and without mistakes, including:
- Sump pump
- Sump basin
- Vent system
- Discharge pipe
Mistakes made while installing any of these components can shorten your sump pump’s life and reduce its functionality. Installing a sump pump should never be a do-it-yourself job. Instead, you should rely on the professional plumbers at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric in Rockwall to handle the job right at the outset. We have the tools and expertise required to ensure that your sump pump installation is completed correctly. This will help it to function properly and prevent water intrusion during heavy rains.
Pay Attention to the Voltage Range
Your sump pump needs to be connected to the proper voltage. It has a voltage rating you must follow when you connect it to a power source. Your sump pump’s connection must be within 10% of its rated voltage. If it’s not, it won’t work as it should and could potentially catch fire.
Before you connect your sump pump to a generator, check to make certain your generator’s voltage is within the sump pump’s range. Our plumbers can verify that your sump pump is connected to an appropriately rated power source.
Level the Sump Pump
If your sump pump isn’t level, it won’t work correctly. Sump pumps have to be level for their float arms to perform as they should. Your sump pump should be installed on a hard, level surface such as concrete or brick and not have any debris surrounding it that could get sucked into the device.
A drain basin must be properly constructed so that the sump pump will remain level. This means you should hire an expert plumber to handle the job rather than attempting it yourself. Sump pumps can also become uneven because of vibrations.
Make sure your sump pump remains level to avoid the float arm becoming stuck. If your sump pump is not level, it can lead to suboptimal performance and failure.
Match the Capacity
Sump pumps have a maximum capacity of water volume they can handle. It’s important to ensure that your sump pump has a large enough capacity to pump out the amount of water that typically enters your basement during heavy rains.
If your sump pump is unable to handle the water, it can become overloaded and fail, leading to a catastrophe in your basement. A sump pump with a motor that isn’t designed to manage a large volume of water will work too hard. This can cause it to overheat, break down, and fail. If you contend with large volumes of water, you might need to have more than one sump pump installed in your basement.
Regularly Clean Your Sump Pump
During heavy rain, water flows over the soil and gathers sediment and other debris before it ever reaches your home’s foundation. When it enters your home and reaches the sump pump basin, these particles can be deposited and built up. You might find debris and dirt deposits in the bottom of your sump pump basin or even inside your sump pump.
Dirt and debris can interfere with how well your sump pump works. They could also potentially cause component failures. To avoid these issues, regularly inspect and clean your sump pump and its basin. It’s a good idea to do this following every heavy rain event.
If your washing machine drains into your sump pump, clean it monthly. Otherwise, check and clean the inlet and screen at least every three or four months. The sump pump itself should undergo a thorough cleaning at least once a year.
Schedule Routine Sump Pump Maintenance
When you invest in a sump pump system, you likely expect it to do its job and keep your basement dry for years. Like anything else, sump pumps and their components will eventually wear down with use. You should schedule professional maintenance annually.
During our visit, your plumber will do the following things:
- Inspect the pit and pit’s size
- Look at the check valve to ensure it prevents water from flowing back to the pit
- Check to ensure the backup power source is working properly
- Inspect the sump pump’s alarm
- Look at the removable cover to ensure water can’t evaporate inside
- Evaluate the discharge location’s appropriateness
- Identify any parts requiring repairs or replacement
- Clean the sump pump, discharge lines, and basin
Annual maintenance can extend your sump pump’s useful lifespan and save you money that you might otherwise have to spend to repair costly water damage.
Clean Your Sump Pump’s Discharge Line
The discharge lines need to be clear for your sump pump to work as it should. A clogged discharge line will keep the water from flowing out to the discharge location, leaving it nowhere else to go but back into your basement.
You also want to make sure that rats and mice don’t build nests in your discharge lines. Our plumbers will inspect your discharge lines and clear any debris they find inside. During the winter months, your pipes need to be protected to prevent them from freezing. Frozen pipes can burst, cause floods, and require expensive repairs.
Test Your Sump Pump
You should occasionally test your sump pump to make sure it’s working properly. Pour water into the basin to activate the pump, and watch the float to ensure it moves without restrictions.
Listen to the motor while your sump pump is activated. It should operate smoothly and not make any weird knocking noises. Finally, watch the discharge valve to verify water doesn’t flow back into the system and your home. If you notice any problems or want help with testing your sump pump, you can call our expert plumbers at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric.
At Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric, our team of expert plumbers, HVAC technicians, and electricians proudly serves people in Rockwall, TX, and throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Our family-owned business prioritizes our customers, and we work to protect your comfort and safety with our hard work. We offer a broad menu of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services including installations, maintenance, and repairs, and we can handle your job professionally and quickly.
Contact us at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric today to learn more about our services and how we can help!
