Winter is just about to begin, which means snowmelt and other moisture will be sending your sump pump into overtime. Basements could be at risk of flooding! Our Dubuque plumbers and Omaha plumbers are working with many homeowners to make sure basements stay nice and dry with new installations and sump pump maintenance Omaha NE can repair.
If you just purchased a new home and aren’t sure if it has a sump pump or not, it is pretty easy to identify. It will be in your basement and sometimes it will have a cover over it. If there is a cover, it should be easy to remove it. The best way to identify what a sump pump looks like is by the singular pipe coming from the lid. So, if you aren’t quite sure, go take a look at your basement!
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is designed to remove accumulated water found in its basin and helps keep areas dry while preventing floods. Sump pumps are commonly found in the basements of homes, specifically newer construction homes or those that have had flooding issues previously.
A good working sump pump is the first line of defense for any homeowner against a basement flood, whether it’s caused by a storm or a plumbing leak.
However, a failing sump pump can only compound problems for homeowners - sometimes by causing flooding.
How do I know if my sump pump is working?
The first thing that you will want to do is to free the exterior drain pipe of any debris. You want to be sure that it is directing water away from your foundation. Next, check the power and see if you can hear the motor running.
You can test your sump pump to see if it’s working by pouring a bucket of water into the pit to trigger the pump’s automatic start and it should drain quickly once the pump is triggered. If the pump doesn’t start and/or doesn’t empty, it’s time to have it serviced.
What is the average life expectancy of a sump pump?
There are a couple of factors that can affect the life expectancy of your sump pump and a lot of those mostly just depend on what the water going through it is like. Most pumps last around 10 years. Acidity and the dirtiness of the water in the area will affect the life expectancy.
Is it normal for a sump pump to run continuously?
It is not abnormal for your sump pump to kick on two or three times a day. If it runs all of the time, there is likely a reason for it. Sump pumps only kick on when they are needed, so if it is always on it is likely that water is draining towards your home.
It could be due to a malfunction in the system itself, a high water table or an issue with your home’s plumbing. It’s important to have it serviced as soon as possible if you notice the pump running continuously. The more it runs, the more likely it is to overheat and break down, which would require a full replacement at a higher cost to you.
Why do sump pumps fail?
Oftentimes your sump pump will fail because it has been overwhelmed. If you have an event in which your basement gets very wet, one single sump pump may not be reliable or powerful enough to take care of the high volume of water coming in. Check to make sure that your sump pump maintenance Omaha NE is receiving the proper amount of voltage, that it isn’t hooked into an extension cord or an outlet that shares a circuit breaker with other items.
It can also fail due to clogged sump pumps and switches, or frozen or clogged lines.
A sump pump is designed to pass clear, clean groundwater. If your sump pump is connected to a water softener or laundry machine, it might lead to corrosion on the seals, screws or the machine’s motor shaft. Laundry lint can also play a role by accumulating, therefore jamming up the pump.
How does ServiceOne Connect monitor my sump pump?
ServiceOne Connect offers sump pump maintenance Omaha NE with its sensors, letting you know when it’s running continuously, by detecting moisture or flooding in the basement area. ServiceOne Connect sends alerts directly to your smartphone or connected device through its app so you’re always on top of any issues in your home.
Have a plumbing emergency? Our Omaha plumbers and Dubuque plumbers are available 24 hours a day to ensure your plumbing is working properly. Contact us today!