Welcome to spring- and welcome to another lovely rainy day!
The front page of Boston.com is running a story on basement flooding, and we just returned from a flooded basement call in Cambridge from a broken sump pump, so it’s time for an update…
So, can you remember where the sump pump even is? Oh dear. Locate your pump and get yourself a garden hose, and run it over to the pump. Is the pump plugged in (you’d be surprised how many are mysteriously unplugged)? After you ensure that it is plugged in, run some water into the pit; 5 minutes may do the trick, but don’t sweat it if it takes longer…
Sump pumps use a “float” mechanism to trigger the pump. If the water in the pit isn’t high enough to hit the switch, it won’t do a thing. Once the pump begins to run, search for leaks in the pipework, and check the discharge outside your home.
Is there debris in the sump pit?
People often knock things into the pit which cause premature pump failure. Customers ask “how long should a sump pump last?”. It has to do with how you treat your pump, and how clean you keep the sump enclosure. If you’ve got the knack, unplug the sump pump & remove any debris that you can from the pit. Sand at the bottom is no good.
If your sump pump is firing right up- good for you!
It’s a pleasure to know you’re protected from floods. If your pump won’t turn on or doesn’t work too well, give Boston Standard a call. We install quality pump units that stay protected from dirt & debris, and our work is guaranteed. We also offer a unique battery back-up system that can protect you for up to 24 hours in the event of a pump failure. We also keep sump pumps right on the truck.
Categories:
DIY Blog, DIY Plumbing, Sump Pumps
