Sump pumps guard against water creeping into your basement or crawl space, damaging personal belongings and destabilizing the foundation of your home. Professional plumbers can ensure your sump pump is properly sized and installed to keep your home dry.
A constant cycle of pumping is often caused by a float switch stuck in the on position. This can happen if debris or wiring gets caught in the pit, preventing the switch from moving downwards and clicking off.
Installation
A sump pump is installed in a pit at the lowest part of the basement or crawl space floor to remove water that collects after a heavy rain. The pump directs the water to a dry well or outside drain to prevent mold contamination and wet building walls.
The pump is positioned in the low spot by a waterproofing specialist who determines where the pump should be located by using a laser level. A PVC pipe is then run from the pump to the lowest point of the home’s foundation where a drainage system like a French drain can be inserted.
Pedestal pumps have their motors above ground, so they are easier to service than submersible pumps. However, they may not be as powerful. An annual inspection can catch small problems (like a broken float switch) before they cause major problems (like an unusable pump in the middle of a storm). A battery backup can be installed to keep the pump running if there’s a power outage or the main sump fails.
Maintenance
Designed to prevent water from creeping into basements and crawl spaces, sump pumps protect personal belongings and structures as well as homes’ foundations. The team at Bill Metzger Plumbing repairs and installs sump pumps throughout Orange County to keep your property free of moisture. A sump pump works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so it’s important to check it regularly for problems.
Usually located in the lowest part of your home, a sump pump has a pit with a plumbing pipe that leads outside. This drain pipe directs water to a drainage location, which can be a natural slope, dry well, or municipal sewer if local regulations allow.
Older sump pumps discharge directly into sanitary sewer lines, but this practice is now against the law in many areas. Some municipalities even impose fines for noncompliance. Newer pumps often include a one-way valve that stops expelled water from flowing back into the sump pit.
Troubleshooting
It is important to keep your sump pump in good working condition so it will be able to prevent flooding and water damage in your home. Bill Metzger Plumbing can help to ensure your sump pump is sized correctly and can function properly to protect your property from damage.
If your sump pump is causing your basement to flood, you will need to have the problem fixed quickly to prevent expensive property damage. You may need to replace the battery backup or have the entire pump replaced if it is not working at all.
If you have a sump pump with a battery backup, it is important to test the battery every year to make sure it will work when needed. A backup sump pump will use the home’s pressurized water supply or a battery to run, reducing the need for electricity during a power outage.
Repairs
Sump pumps help keep moisture problems and flooding under control within basements, crawl spaces and other low areas of homes. Often, they also help prevent costly structural damage and water leaks. However, this equipment needs to be regularly inspected and repaired to ensure that it continues to function well.
During sump pump maintenance, it’s important to check that all elements of the system are in working order and not obstructed. For example, if your sump pump discharges to the sanitary sewer, you must get it disconnected and rerouted away from the sewer line by a licensed plumber. This is a common problem that can cause the pump to overwork, leading to broken components.
Another common issue is a clogged suction intake screen or discharge pipe. If you notice a problem, call a sump pump repair expert right away to have it professionally diagnosed and repaired. In addition, you should periodically pour water into the basin to make sure that it is draining properly and that it is not leaking or blocked.
