Sump Pump Repair: Solutions for Common Problems

A constant worry for some homeowners is keeping water from building up in a crawl space or basement. A sump pump is used to get rid of unwanted water buildup under your house. While they are a great tool to battle this problem, like any other mechanical system, these pumps are not perfect and may stop working from time to time. Here are some issues that may arise that you should work to avoid, lest you be plagued with a flooded basement.

First of all, check your pump’s switching mechanism to make sure that it’s working properly. Many problems can be avoided just by assuring that your switch activator can move freely within your sump basin. They can become blocked by debris and therefore become unable to activate the pump, which you definitely do not want.

Additionally, make sure that your sump basin is large enough. Your basin should be at least 18 inches in diameter and 22 inches deep. This size will reduce the chances of your switch activator becoming hung up on something, plus it will prevent your pump from activating too frequently. All too often, sump pump failures are due to power outages, as well. You can prevent this by investing in a backup pump that uses a high-powered battery for emergency situations.

If you are worried about the battery being out of juice when you actually need to use it, fear not. They usually come with alarms that will notify you if it needs a charge. However, if you would rather not deal with a battery at all, you can opt for a water pressure based backup pump that is a viable option in emergency situations. As with any household problem, if it looks too difficult for you to handle, contact a professional.

If you have an issue with your sump pump, please contact us at Sobieski Services. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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