{"id":700,"date":"2018-12-17T11:00:32","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T16:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/?p=700"},"modified":"2018-12-12T08:51:14","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T13:51:14","slug":"sump-pump-good-working-order","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/sump-pump-good-working-order\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Sump Pump in Good Working Order?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AOr rather, is it ready for winter? Sump pumps aren\u2019t something that other parts of the country need\u2014they don\u2019t have the potential for flooding due to heavy rains and snowmelt like we do. Your sump pump is vital to your home during this time of the year\u2014being able to pump water out of your basement or crawlspace as needed.<\/p>\n

First off, we have to say that if you do need any service work done on your sump pump, it\u2019s important to trust the work to a professional plumber in Chatham<\/a>. Attempting the job on your own could do more harm than good, and leave you with an ineffective sump pump. However, <\/em>there are some steps to take to ensure your sump pump is in good working order for the change in seasons.<\/p>\n

Testing Your Sump Pump\u2019s Functionality<\/h2>\n

There is a simple home test you can perform to check the state of your sump pump. We recommend following the steps below at least once every 3 months, as well as after a significant storm.<\/p>\n

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  1. Check for Visual Signs of Wear: <\/strong>Do you see any obvious signs of wear and tear on your sump pump? This might include frayed wiring or cracks in the case. It may even be that the pump isn\u2019t upright.<\/li>\n
  2. Add Water to the Basin:<\/strong> Next, add enough water to fill the top of the pit. Your pump should automatically start working.<\/li>\n
  3. Clean the Screen or Grate at the Bottom of the Pump:<\/strong> This can collect debris over the course of a few months, and as a result, require cleaning from time to time.<\/li>\n
  4. Check the Drains:<\/strong> The drains leading out of the basement can go to the sewer line or to your yard. If it\u2019s the latter, be sure the check the drainage is able to move freely, and there\u2019s nothing blocking the opening.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Do You Need to Call in a Pro?<\/h2>\n

    When performing the steps above, there may come a time where you need to end up calling in a professional plumber. The following scenarios are all good reasons to pick up the phone and give us a call:<\/p>\n