Your home’s sump pump is one of the last lines of defense between you and flooding. When water attempts to come into your basement or crawlspace, it will flow into your sump pit and then be pumped out and away from your home in order to keep everything dry.
When your sump pump isn’t functioning properly, it can mean your home is susceptible to flooding and costly structural damage. Because it has such an important job, sump pump inspection is a key element to proper care and maintenance of your home. Inspecting a sump pump to ensure it’s in proper working condition is something that some homeowners will handle on their own.
However, it’s recommended that you allow a professional to perform your inspection since it’s incredibly important that it’s done right. Discussing the inspection and maintenance steps below will give you an idea as to why professional sump pump inspection is preferred.
Cleaning Your Sump Pump is Crucial
Once a year, your sump pump requires a thorough cleaning so that it continues to work correctly.
A sump pump that is regularly cleaned can last up to 10 years, whereas one that isn’t my only last 6 years before it needs replacing.
During your sump pumps professional inspection, your technician will go through the process of disconnecting your sump pump, removing it from its position, and then thoroughly clean it.
Before it gets placed back into position, the sump pit will need to have all standing water drained, and then the sump pump can be reconnected again. When any of these steps aren’t carried out properly, it can cause your sump pump to malfunction – potentially during a time when you need it the most.
Sump Pump Alarms Can Signal When Something is Wrong
One of the most important components of your sump pump is the alarm. When power is lost, or there’s a clog or other issue, sump pump alarms alert the homeowner that there is an issue.
This process ensures there is as much time as possible to address flooding concerns and reduce potential damages.
During a sump pump inspection, the alarm needs to be inspected to make sure it’s working and ready to alert in case of danger. Your professional technician will be able to take care of this during your appointment.
Checking Your Sump Pump’s Discharge Location
The discharge location of your sump pump is referring to where it deposits the water that it filters away from your home; This location should be at least 20 feet away from your home. If your discharge location is too close, evacuated water can seep directly back into your home.
When this happens, you can experience flooding and severe and costly structural damage. Upon your inspection, your technician will double-check to ensure all your sump pumps discharge location is an appropriate distance from your home and installed properly.
If your home is due for its yearly sump pump inspection, calling a professional for the job will ensure everything is properly checked, cleaned and repaired. Do you know someone who could benefit from an inspection? Make sure to share this article with them on Facebook or Twitter!