Get Your Sump Pump Inspected
The conventional perception of a sump pump is that this is a solution to a problem, and therefore should not become a problem itself. In most cases, this is true. But, as with anything in life, things don’t always go according to plan, and there may be occasions where a sump pump, instead of taking care of basement flooding problems, can actually become a cause for them.
Why You Need One
A sump pump is, in many situations, an ideal, compact solution for handling water in basements. When everything is working as planned, a combination of drainage systems, such as French Drains, will direct water away from the basement, and into a tank. From there, a sump pump removes the water to a safe distance away from the home.
However, a sump pump, as the name implies, is a mechanism. It has a motor, it runs on energy. So, like a car or any other mechanical device, the passage of time or certain occurrences can cause a malfunction. When this happens, the pump no longer performs its intended function and all that water that should be carried away is remaining in the tank or overflowing back into your basement.
Be Diligent
You should always schedule a regular inspection of your sump pump to ensure that it is in good working condition. Depending on the circumstances, an annual inspection may be all that is required to ensure everything is in order. There may be some maintenance that is required, if your sump pump uses a pump screen. The inlet and pump screen should be cleaned on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
However, if your sump pump is also connected to your washing machine system and is responsible for clearing out laundry water as well, this is frequent use requires frequent maintenance. Checking and cleaning the screen and inlet every month is advisable if your sump pump is closely integrated with your laundry water systems.