Is Your Sump Pump Ready?

Winter weather has hit pretty hard in Central IL!  We’ve got a lot of snow and it looks like more will be coming in the weeks ahead.  The snow is pretty, but it will melt before you know it and we want to make sure you don’t have something that’s not pretty at all: a basement full of water.

Here are a few things you can check to make sure your sump pump is ready to get to work when the snow melts.

If you’re able to test your sump pump to make sure it’s working in full force, use these tips:

  1. Locate the outside drain pipe. Make sure it is clear of any ice, dirt or debris. This is especially important after snowstorms.
  2. Fill a 5-gallon bucket or a large cooking pot with water. Slowly pour the water into the sump pit and watch the water level within the pit.
  3. The float on the sump should rise and the pump will kick on well before the water reaches the top of the pit. As the pit empties, the system should turn off.
  4. If the float doesn’t rise or the pump doesn’t turn on/off automatically, the pump should be further inspected.
  5. Keep Listening for Your Sump Pump – if your pump seems to be running very frequently or not shutting off, your check valve or float could be bad. If you don’t think it sounds right, call a plumber at Covenant Plumbing so we can take a look before your basement floods.

It’s always a good idea to have a second line of defense when it comes to your sump pump—this means installing a backup system.  Not sure what backup system is best for your home?  No problem!  Our technicians can come out to your home, evaluate whether a battery or water-powered backup would work best, and install it right there on the spot!

Enjoy the snow as much as you can. If you have a plumbing problem, give Covenant Plumbing a call.

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