Sump pumps need love too.

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

 April showers bring May flowers but they also bring flooded basements and leaky roofs. A number of homes that SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle has been to recently was due to flooded basements or other living areas. During the initial inspection process to see what the cause of the water damage was and what was affected, it was discovered that a sump pump might have not been operating correctly and the damage was more extensive due to a malfunction of the sump pump.

   There are some steps that homeowners can take to help maintain their sump pumps and help avoid a costly and time consuming water event in their homes :

Every 3-4 months

• Clean pump inlet screen
• Check power cord / make sure the cord is plugged in
• Make sure the pump turns on by dumping a bucket or two of water into the sump, this will also help to determine if the float is operating correctly up and down.

Annually

• Take the pump out of the sump to clean and inspect it for any obvious defects
• Clean out the sump
• grease /lubricate any necessary bearings on the pump. Check owners manual for maintenance instructions.
• Lower the pump back into its correct position in the sump
• Test the pump and float by dumping a bucket or two of water into the sump.

 Most importantly, if you do not feel comfortable taking care of the maintenance or are not mechanically inclined, ask the company that installed it to do the maintenance or for a referral for a company that can. Regular maintenance of your sump pump will help keep your water prone areas safe from flooding and keep your home environment a safe livable space for years to come. A little maintenance will go a long way.