You don’t want to wait until flooding has occurred before you have a sump pump installed in your basement. Sump pumps can have many benefits, especially if you keep on top of maintenance and book a sump pump repair in Normal, IL as soon as you need it! Firstly, let’s take a look at some advantages of having a sump pump installed:
Our professional plumbers install sump pumps to help control humidity and dampness. Sump pumps will keep your basement dry and prevent you from getting that “musty basement” smell.
Mold and mildew can grow in basements due to excess moisture and water. An abundance of mold and mildew throughout the home can increase the risk of asthma attacks, allergies and other respiratory issues. For prompt assistance if your basement floods, contact our professional plumbers and ask for sump pump repair.
As a result of excess water in the basement, humidity upstairs will rise. Moisture also seeps into the floor joists on the first floor of a basement, putting them at risk of rot. Metal appliances will rust quicker if there is high humidity. Metals rust when they are exposed to water. Rust can be caused by even a small amount of water exposure. Reinforcements such as rebar within concrete foundations to increase strength can be adversely affected by a lot of moisture.
It is crucial to protect the foundation of your home. Flooding can cause severe damage. Water can cause foundation damage, floor cracking and wall cracking, even if the basement is unfurnished. Your home will lose its strength, value and structural integrity once this happens. A cracking foundation can be costly to repair and could lead to collapse. Sump pump installation is expensive, but the cost of flood damage is far more than the cost of a sump pump repair service.
Sump pumps can help prevent this type of damage. It is important to have one installed before any water accumulates. Even houses on the sides of hills can be at risk of flooding. Water can seep into basement walls and foundations if the waterproofing seal is not maintained over time. Cracks may develop that allow water in.
Sump Pump Troubleshooting
If the sump pump isn’t cutting on, check the breaker and make sure the breaker switch is in the correct position. It can be difficult to identify which breaker is on/off. If it moves safely to the on position, it means that it was tripped. If the pump does not turn on after sufficient water has been added to the pit, you can use a reset button. For further diagnosis of power issues, call for a sump pump repair service.
A pump that doesn’t turn off is another common problem. Check the water flow into the pit first. The discharge line could be loose. Next, check the discharge line to make sure it isn’t blocked. If water is not being removed when it should, there may be a blockage or clog in the discharge pipe.
A pump that pumps water from the discharge pipe continuously may require a larger capacity pump or a backup pump to help it keep up with demand. The pump could also be too low in the pit. The pump can be adjusted during a sump pump repair service to the point where the water level stops rising past the pump. If the pit is prone to overflowing, you’ll need to install a larger capacity pump or a backup. A flooded basement can also be caused by an increase in ground water levels, rather than excess discharge from your home appliances.
Sump pumps are mechanical devices that will eventually need to be replaced or repaired. Many homeowners hire our plumbers to install a backup sump pump. This protects the basement from flooding that is more severe than usual and acts as a backup pump in the event you need sump pump repair completed on your primary pump.
Preventing Sump Pump Failures
Sump pumps can fail in many ways. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons that sump pumps fail, and show you how to prevent your Normal, IL home from flooding:
A sump pump that fails to remove flood water from your house can be caused by power outage. Power outages can occur during storms or heavy rain. While we can’t control the weather, this situation can be prevented by homeowners taking one or both of the following actions.
First, install a backup generator. This can be a portable, manual generator or a whole-house generator that automatically activates in the event of an outage.
Secondly, install a backup sump pump that can take over when the main pump is out of commission due to sump pump repair needed.
Power surges can cause electrical failures of sump pumps. A backup generator will not be able to help in this case. Surge protection devices are required at the power meter, home’s electrical panel, and at the pump plug to prevent the sump pump being damaged by an electrical surge. To ensure that your sump pump works when it is needed, maintenance is necessary. The manufacturer may recommend different maintenance schedules, but at a minimum you should always check your sump pump just before the arrival of the rainy season. To help prevent unwanted sump pump repair, you can assess your unit quarterly. Sump pump maintenance includes:
- Cleaning up debris from the screen or sump pit
- Checking electrical wiring and connected GFCI outlet.
- Ensuring the pump is level.
- Ensuring that the drain isn’t full of water before pump testing.
- Removing submersible pumps periodically for cleaning the grate beneath.
- Installing grated covers to prevent clogging or freezing of the discharge pipe
If you find your unit is not working as expected, and your basement is still flooding while you have a sump pump installed, call Covenant Plumbing to investigate. We serve Normal, IL, and surrounding areas with sump pump repair, maintenance, and replacement.
