The sump pump consists of a basin installed in a pit that is dug into the lowest point of the basement or crawlspace and a pump that expels the water through a pipe that goes outside the home. Ground water and storm water will gather in the basin and when it hits a certain level, the pump will turn on to expel the water. The pipe runs the water far enough away from the foundation to drain safely and it has a one-way valve that prevents the water from coming back into the home.
With so many working parts, there is always a chance that something within the sump pump can fail and leave your basement vulnerable to flooding. The following are the most common problems that affect sump pumps:
- Loss of electric power
- Unable to handle volume of water coming into the pit
- Missing or broken check valve on discharge pipe
- Stuck float switch
- Malfunction from old age
You can help avoid these problems with your sump pump by calling our technicians for yearly maintenance. We will inspect the sump pump to look for and address any issues before they become a bigger problem. It is best to have your sump pump maintained in the spring before the rainy season.
If you notice any of these problems with your sump pump, you need to call our professionals right away. Our technicians can diagnose the problem with your sump pump and fix it to keep your basement protected from flooding.