Any home located in an area that experiences flooding should have a critical piece of equipment installed – a sump pump! It helps to keep your basement or crawlspace dry by ejecting any excess water that seeps in from the ground. However, sump pumps can fail. When they do, you might expect a water in your home which can cause significant damage.
Sump Pump Tips When It Rains
If your sump pump fails during a rainstorm, you can do a few things to minimize the risk of damage:
- Check the sump pump. Locate your sump pump itself and ensure it works properly. The float switch should turn the pump on when raised to a certain level, so make sure you have a properly adjusted switch with nothing stopping the float. Also keep the basin free of debris.
- Turn off the power. If you have water in the basement and your sump pump isn’t working at all, turn off the power. This can prevent the pump from burning out, and it can protect you from an electric shock if water starts flooding to the height of electrical outlets without ground-fault interrupters (GFIs). A sump pump with a battery backup can continue to work even with lost power..
- Remove the water. If you already have a flood in your basement or crawlspace, you should remove the water as quickly as possible. You can do this by using a sump pump or other electric pump with a hose, a wet/dry shop vacuum, or buckets.
- Move valuables. If your basement floods, safety should come first, so protect yourself from any potential hazards. After you have secured the ara, move any valuables or furniture to higher ground to prevent them from being damaged by the water.
- Call a plumber. Call a plumbing professional ASAP to repair or replace your sump pump.
- Contact your insurance. Sometimes homeowner policies cover losses from basement flooding. Check with your insurance agent. If your policy covers it, file a claim and take photos and/or video of the damage.
Preventative Tips
Here are some tips to help prevent sump pump failure:
- Have your sump pump serviced regularly. Doing this once per year or two will help to ensure that you have a properly working pump and with no clogs.
- Install a battery backup. This will keep your sump pump running in the event of a power outage. Make sure you inspect that battery to keep it in good condition with sufficient charge.
- Install a sump pump alarm. This will alert you if your sump pump fails. You can take action to prevent flooding. Alarms can give an audio signal, and some alarms can connect to your mobile device.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your sump pump running properly and prevent flooding in your basement. If you have any questions about sump pumps or sump pump maintenance, contact your dependable, reliable, and courteous plumbers, DRC Plumbing and Sewer by calling 708-203-7057 or clicking the button below.