As we are heading into monsoon season your sump pump is about to be hard at work. Taking some time to look at your sump pump and make sure it’s in good working order is a great way to save yourself the big money you’d be spending on cleanup if you hadn’t.
- Obviously you should check your sump pump manufacturer’s guidelines but here are a few more tips to help you get the most out of your sump pump.
- There’s no reason to keep your sump pump once it passes it’s 10th birthday. It’s time for a new one.
- If it’s under 10 years old make sure it has a good connection to your power so it’s ready to start pumping as soon as the water is there.
- Do you have a moisture barrier? Asses the area under and around it to make sure there isn’t excessive moisture. If you’re not able to tell, Call Abbotts and we’ll do an assessment for free. Check that your crawlspace is clear of materials such as cardboard or wood as these are organic and can become hosts for mold.
- While taking a look at the sump pump take a look around the surrounding area. Check the ceiling for any signs of mold.
- Make sure that your sump pump is clean. Why? It needs to be clean in order to operate efficiently. There’s a float inside on a metal rod which, if dirty, won’t be able to rise as easily to detect how much water there is. To clean it try steel wool or sandpaper. After, grease the rod with vaseline. To test, fill the pump with 5 gallons of water, if it turns on it’s working.
- Check that the outflow is away from the foundation far enough to avoid re-saturation of your area.
When you have to replace your sump pump we advise investing in the best you can get. A flooded area and water damage will cost much more than your sump pump. If you need a recommendation for a quality sump pump feel free to call Abbotts at (619)223-1800. We also offer free assessments. Happy monsoon season! Stay dry.
