You might not have thought about the existence of “sump pump season,” but it does exist—and it’s called “spring.” This is the time of the year when the sump pump in your basement or other lower part of your house is likely to be needed the most.
Spring brings with it snowmelt and rainstorms, and that can mean water flooding into the lowest areas of your home. With a working sump pump, you’ve got a fast way to automatically remove this water and protect your belongings as well as prevent severe water damage and the growth of mold and mildew.
Wait, you don’t have a sump pump?
If you were reading all that above and wondered why you don’t have a sump pump, we’re glad we caught your attention. We recommend all homes in the area have a sump pump installed in their basement or crawlspace. It’s a small investment against potentially large catastrophes.
It’s not difficult to get a good sump pump installed. You only need to call our team for plumbing services in Charleston, SC. We’ll find the right type of sump pump for your specific needs. Then, our pros will excavate the sump (a water collection pit) in the lowest spot where water tends to pool.
Depending on the type of sump pump, we’ll either place the pump down inside the sump (a submersible sump pump) or above the pit with pipes reaching down into it (a pedestal sump pump).
If you already have a sump pump…
We recommend you take a few preparations to get your sump pump ready for spring.
- First, clean out the sump of any debris or dirt. These objects may get sucked into the sump pump’s intakes or pipes and create clogging or damage.
- Make sure the pump is connected to its power supply. Then start to fill up the sump with water slowly poured from a bucket. The pump should activate automatically when the water level rises.
- Once the pump turns on, wait and watch as it runs to see if it removes most of the water from the sump.
If the pump doesn’t work at any of these stages, you will need to call expert plumbers to inspect the sump pump and see if it needs repairs. In some cases, you might need to replace the sump pump—these systems can usually last for around 15 years.
Once you’ve taken these steps and had any necessary services done, you’ll have a sump pump that’s ready to handle any flooding emergencies that come its way.
While we’ve got you here talking about spring…
There are several other basic maintenance jobs to do around the house to ensure it’s ready for the change in the weather. One that we can help out with is maintenance for your air conditioner. Ask us about our special maintenance program, the Moose Maintenance Club. As a member, you’ll have both your AC and heating maintenance taken care of each year.
