When & How To Check a Sump Pump - Wisler Plumbing & Air

Where to Look for a Sump Pump

A sump pump is usually located in the basement or crawlspace of a home, which is at the sub-grade below the ground level outside. The purpose of a sump pump is to prevent the basement or crawlspace from flooding during heavy rain or any type of flooding event. Generally, sump pumps remove any rainwater from the surface or ground. They could also be used to prevent water from a nearby spring from making its way in. Here are some important things to remember about your home’s sump pump.

Part of Home Maintenance

The time to make sure a sump pump is working is not whenever you already have water pouring into your home. You should always make sure that the sump pump is going to be ready to do its job. There are also backup sump pumps that should be ready to run in the event of a power outage. Most pumps run off of the main electrical power, but there are water driven pumps for community power and battery-powered backup pumps.

Checking the Sump Pump

Sump pump systems are also commonly fitted with an alarm. It is a floating device that detects when the water level rises higher than a certain point and emits an audible alert. These are especially useful for crawlspaces that you aren’t able to see. Another thing to remember is that a basement sump pump isn’t a trashcan—if any type of debris or objects roll or get swept into the area, they can stop up the pump and cause it to become ineffective. That’s why it’s very important to always keep the area clean and clear.

Regular Attention

You might want to introduce water to the sump pump on a regular basis to make sure it works and look in the pit to make sure it’s good and clean. (These are generally the steps we would take if we checked it out ourselves.) It’s a pretty simple thing to do, but I would definitely recommend that it be performed annually, whether by the homeowner or by a professional. For more information, contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.