When you purchased your home, it’s likely that it came with an existing sump pump or drainage solution. However, as with everything, wear and tear can cause you to look into sump pump maintenance, sump pump repair or even a new sump pump installation.
If you already have an existing solution and are simply looking into sump pump maintenance and repair, here’s what you need to know.
Sump Pump Maintenance
There are a handful of tasks that should be performed on a regular (typically monthly) basis to ensure that you can quickly catch the need for sump pump maintenance and repair. Here are the main tasks you should start with:
- Make sure that the sump pump power supply is working and connected properly. This means checking that the pump is plugged into a working ground fault circuit interrupter outlet and that the cord is in good shape. This can be important, especially if your sump pump is in a damp area, since GFCI breakers may trip in damp areas, effectively shutting off the pump.
- Ensure the pump itself is in an upright position. While active, a sump pump can produce vibrations that can cause it to fall or become off-kilter. This can result in the mechanism’s failure to start up.
- Throughout the year, pour a bucket of water into the pit to make sure that the pump is triggered and the water drains efficiently once the pump is running. If the pump doesn’t start, it is time to hire a waterproofer to conduct sump pump maintenance and repair.
- Clean any grate on the bottom of the sump pump to ensure that the machine’s sucking action isn’t blocked by debris. The same should be done for the vent hole.
- Ensure the outlet pipes are tightly joined together and in good, solid condition, and draining out at least 20 feet away from your Kansas City home’s foundation.
Once you’ve gone through this checklist, you can soon determine whether a sump pump repair is needed.
Why Maintain a Sump Pump?
A sump pump provides protection to your home in the event of flooding or high flowing water in your home. While sump pumps are overall reliable pieces of equipment, there is a need to assess whether your sump pump is in need of maintenance and repair.
Sump pump maintenance and repair is always more cost-effective than a new sump pump installation, which is why it’s important to keep your system in good working order at all times.
Maintaining Your Sump Pump
Home maintenance can seem never-ending. Instead of DIYing your sump pump maintenance, contact us at KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair to assess the condition and provide expert sump pump maintenance and repair.
While KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair do offer sump pump installation in Kansas City and the surrounding areas including Prairie Village, Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, and more, we can be hired to maintain any model of sump pump even if we did not install it.
Contact KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair for all your Basement Waterproofing and Sump Pump needs in the Kansas City Metro area.
Your Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair experts in Johnson County, Kansas including Prairie Village, Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, and more!
