A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO SUMP PUMP MAINTENANCE

If you have a basement in your home, then you likely have a sump pump that works to keep it dry at all times. The sump pump’s job is to sit in a sump pit where ground water collects and pump it out of your basement once it reaches a certain level. Without it, you would be susceptible to a flooded basement in Baltimore every single time that it rained or snowed. Check out the things you should do to make sure you maintain your sump pump properly.Take a look at your sump pump often to make sure it’s working.

Most homeowners don’t realize their sump pump isn’t working until there is water in the basement of their homes. You can avoid this by checking on your sump pump every week or two to make sure it’s operating at full strength. Don’t wait until your home is hit by a bad rainstorm to find out that it has stopped working.

Make sure your sump pump has a battery backup.

Many sump pumps are powered by electricity. This is fine under normal conditions, but if a bad storm knocks out power and shuts off your sump pump, you could be in danger of walking into a flooded basement. It’s a good idea to invest in a battery-powered sump pump if you don’t already have one.

Clear dirt, rocks, and other debris out of your sump pit regularly.

Over time, debris will clog up your sump pit and make it difficult for it to remove water quickly. It could even stop it from working altogether and eventually cause your basement to flood. By simply looking into the pit every now and then and clearing out debris, you can lengthen the life of your sump life.

Replace your sump pump every five to seven years.

Your sump pump is not going to last forever. Even if you maintain it the way you should and check on it often, it will likely not last a full decade. After about five to seven years, you should seriously consider sump pump replacement.