If your home is equipped with a sump pump, regular routine testing maintenance will help make sure it is ready to go and operating properly when it’s needed. The worst time to discover that your sump pump has stopped working is when your basement starts filling up with water. Spring is a great time for sump pump maintenance since this is the time of year when sump pumps are needed the most.
Your local plumber can take care of servicing and maintaining you sump pump if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, but the procedure is not difficult and can be handled by most homeowners.
First, make sure there is power to sump pump by checking the circuit breakers. Reset the breaker if it has been tripped. If the breaker trips frequently, stop and call your plumber to have the system checked out.
Next, open the lid to the sump pump well. Use a flashlight to inspect the well and make sure it is clear of dirt, dust, and other debris that may have fallen into the well. Any foreign material can clog the intake just when you need the pump to operate the most.
Fill a five gallon bucket with water and carefully pour the water into the sump well while watching the float switch. When the water reaches the float switch, the sump pump should activate and drain the sump well. If the pump does not activate, you will need to have the system inspected by a plumber.
Finally, once the pump empties the well and shuts off, watch to make sure that no water flows back into the sump well. If it does, your check valve is stuck otherwise not operating properly. If everything checks out, replace the lid on the sump well and you are done until next time.
