How to Prevent Water Damage with Sump Pump Maintenance?

Your home’s sump pump plays a key role in preventing a flooded basement. Without sump pumps, more homeowners would have to constantly worry about their basement being flooded. To keep your home’s sump pump at the top of its game, maintenance is essential. 

Knowing the ins and outs of sump pump maintenance will keep your home in pristine condition by preventing water damage and diminishing the potential growth of mold and mildew. weDRY Restoration is here to educate you on exactly that. We’ll assist you in grasping a solid foundation of sump pump maintenance information that will help prevent water damage. 

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a pump that removes water from the pit or well located in the lowest part of your home. These pits or wells are dug below the basement or crawl space floor. The sump pump activates when groundwater reaches a certain level so it can drain the water until water levels are back to normal. Sump pumps are recommended for homes in areas with heavy flooding risk.  

Types of Sump Pumps

Sump pumps come in two different types, pedestal and submersible.

Pedestal sump pump. These sump pumps sit outside of the pit or well. They also feature a motor mounted above the sump. Because these pumps don’t sit inside the pit or well, they can last up to 25 years due to less exposure to corrosive water. But, these pumps lack power.

Submersible sump pump. This style of sump pump floats underwater in the sump basin. Compared to pedestal sump pumps, this type is more powerful and can pump out higher volumes of water at a faster rate. With constant exposure to water, these pumps have a much shorter lifespan. 

Preventing Water Damage

At the forefront of sump pump maintenance is preventing water damage. With a sump pump that is regularly and properly maintained, the pump can remove excess water in the sump pit much more efficiently. Ultimately, preventing a flood crisis in the basement of your home after heavy rainfall or plumbing issues. 

Additionally, regular maintenance identifies any potential issues before they can get out of hand. Regular maintenance of the sump pump typically includes an inspection of the pump, checking the float switch, and testing the backup system. This will give you a piece of mind that your sump pump will have your back when worse comes to worse. 

How to Prevent Water Damage with Sump Pump Maintenance?

So, how do you conduct sump pump maintenance? With this list of steps, your sump pump will be ready to prevent water damage that poses a risk for your home. 

1. Test the Pump

Your sump pump should be tested once a year, especially before seasons known for an influx of storms. To test your sump pump, start by pouring water into the sump pit. Once the pump activates, make sure the water is eliminated from the pit. 

2. Unplug and Clean

At this point, you’ll need to unplug the sump pump. Verify it is disconnected from any source of power. With assistance from a flashlight, clean out the basin, inlet screen, and other parts. Clean these parts with a mixture of 1:1: vinegar and water. For a thorough clean, scrape any remnants of sludge and grime away.

3. Check for Corrosion and Faulty Parts

With the constant exposure to water and bacteria, corrosion and rust may manifest on your sump pump. Check for these signs around areas such as the battery, float switch, and the inlet screen. Notice any worn out components? It’s time for a replacement. 

4. Lubricate Bearings

If your sump pump has unsealed bearings, it’s crucial that they are lubricated during this process. You can find out if you need to take this step within the manufacturer’s recommendations for your sump pump. If sump pump bearings aren’t lubricated when they’re supposed to be, issues with corrosion and other contaminants can persist. 

5. Check the Discharge Area

An important factor in an efficient sump pump is the discharge area. The sump pump diverts water away from your home. It’s important for the discharge area for the water to be at least 20 feet from the home to keep it from pooling around your foundation. If the discharge area is too close, pooling water can cause foundation damage to your home. Check the discharge area to make sure that the pipe is flowing freely. Clean out the discharge pipe if needed. 

6. Install Battery Backup (Optional)

If you’re located in an area with frequent heavy rain and storms and typically experience power outages, look into installing a battery backup for your sump pump. This way, if your sump pump can’t operate due to an outage, functionality can still continue courtesy of the back up battery. Test the battery by unplugging the pump.

7. Re-Test the Pump

Once maintenance has been completed, you can finally re-test the pump. Make sure all parts are re-connected, power is intact, the discharge pipe is in a good place so you can test the pump. Pour water into the pump, hit the automatic float switch, and check to see if everything is running smoothly. Now, your sump pump will be ready to handle any incoming storms, heavy rainfall, or plumbing issues. 

Contact us for Sump Pump Flood Cleanup Services in Michigan.

Are you in need of sump pump flood cleanup services? Contact weDRY Restoration today if your southeast Michigan home is in need of flood cleanup services. Our team has the knowledge, tools, and experience to get your home back to pre-flood conditions. 

Other Services We Offer

Our team at weDRY Restoration isn’t only there to help flood cleanup. We are also leading providers that can help with fire damage, mold removal, storm damage restoration, and other commercial services throughout southeast Michigan. Whether you’re dealing with water damage or a sudden disaster at your commercial property, weDRY Restoration is the answer. 

We pride ourselves in making sure you are comfortable by communicating all necessary findings throughout the restoration process. Your damage will be thoroughly examined and properly treated for the safety and well-being of your loved ones and customers. From the start, we will document and photograph all damage and submit all necessary paperwork to your insurance company. We know that dealing with the insurance company can be stressful. Our expert staff will make sure all documents are processed properly so you get the full compensation you deserve.