DIY: Inspect Your Sump Pump to Avoid Water Damage

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

It’s not uncommon for New Haven County homes to have a sump pump installed to keep a basement dry.

The function of a sump pump is to ensure that the water drains properly and reduce the risk of water damage. It’s important to make sure that your sump pump is in good working order with an annual inspection that can be done by most homeowners on their own.  

SUMP PUMP INSPECTION CHECKLIST 

• Check the power source for the pump. It should connect to a ground fault circuit interruptor (GFCI) for maximum safety. Inspect the cord to the pump, looking for evidence of wear and tear.  
• Find the outlet pipe that allows the water to drain outside of your home.  Make sure that there aren't any clogs or damages done to the drain making it impossible for water to exit the home and flow away from the foundation.  
• Make sure the pump is level and upright. When it runs, the vibrations from the motor or the force of the water can cause it to tilt, which will let the float shift out of place.  
• Locate the sump pump in the lower level of your home and check the inside of it to ensure that the pump is not clogged with debris.   
• Take the pump out of the basin. At the bottom, there should be a grate, which needs cleaned of any debris that could cause a malfunction.  
• Slowly pour approximately 5 gallons of water into the pump to simulate if a storm were to hit.  As you pour, watch for it to turn on and start pumping the water out of your home.  If should start pumping when the water reaches about 8-12 inches below the basement floor.  This task simply assures you that the pump will run when it needs to and that nothing has malfunctioned.  
• If your sump pump contains a float in the basin, make sure that it is also functioning properly and not caught on anything while running the test.  This float is what lets the sump pump know when the water reaches a certain height and activates the pump.  

Most sump pumps work with no issues however we do receive calls from those unlucky homeowners that experience a failure and have a flooded basement.

If your sump pump fails, give SERVPRO of Milford-Orange-Stratford a call at (203) 301-0500.