Your home’s sump pump is one of those plumbing systems that you probably don’t think about very often, unless it’s raining heavily and there’s a chance of flooding. A sump pump is designed to turn on automatically when the basement or crawlspace begins to take on water. If it malfunctions and doesn’t turn on, water can quickly accumulate to the point where it can cause expensive damage to your home and property.
Thankfully, by following a few simple maintenance steps you can reduce the odds that your sump pump will fail when you need it the most.
IMPORTANT: Before removing or performing any maintenance on a sump pump, always disconnect the unit from the power supply. And remember to reconnect the power when you’re finished!
Quarterly Sump Pump Maintenance
1. Clean the pump screen or inlet opening. If your sump drain also collects the discharge from your washing machine, you’ll need to clean it more frequently.
2. Test that the sump pump is working. Fill a bucket with water and slowly pour it into the sump pit. The pump should automatically power up and begin removing the water from the pit. If the pump fails to start, check that the float mechanism is not obstructed. Also check that it is connected to a power supply and that the breaker has not been tripped (the circuit can be found in your electrical panel).
Annual Sump Pump Maintenance
Remove and clean the pump. Clean the pump pit also. Do not lubricate or perform any other maintenance unless the manufacturer’s manual says to do so. Ensure that the float arm is able to smoothly move up and down to active the pump. Test the operation of the pump following the instructions above.
Have sump pump questions? Call Superior Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. We can help with all your home plumbing needs.