The arrival of spring yields melting snow mounds, increased rainfall, wet soil, and at times, basement flooding, regardless of if you have a sump pump or not. If you have a sump pump installed in the basement of your home or business, spring may be a good time to schedule a sump pump maintenance check to make sure it is ready for both May showers and spontaneous summer downpours.

What You’ll Receive from McHale’s Sump Pump Maintenance

Spring can mean rain, rain, and then more rain, especially during this time of year and the amount of rain that’s in the forecast. That is why it is important to be prepared with a sump pump and to make sure to schedule a sump pump maintenance check in case you think something is wrong with it. No one wants to deal with a flooded basement which is why our plumbers are readily available to handle all concerns you might have for your sump pump and plumbing fixtures. If you want to avoid future damages and expenses, don’t hesitate to call the experts at McHale’s, who will be more than happy to help and save you money and time with efficient and high-quality service. 

Why You Should Check your Sump Pump This Spring

Sump pumps are devices typically installed in the basement of a building to prevent flooding by monitoring and controlling water levels below the foundation. In both submersible pumps, which operate underwater in a sump well, and pedestal pumps, which operate above the sump well, built up water activates afloat once it reaches a certain level in the basin. The float signals the sump pump to turn on and begin pumping the water from the basin. While submersible pumps and pedestal pumps are the two most common types of sump pumps in residential homes, other types of less common pumps include floor sucker pumps, which expel water from a flooded floor, and water-powered pumps, which work within a building’s existing plumbing to disperse water. While all of these types of sump pumps vary in their makeup and parts, they are all comprised of several complicated components including motors, floats, float rods, sump tanks, check valves, discharge lines, backup batteries, electrical outlets, and more. An issue in any of these individual parts can cause a sump pump to malfunction or not work as effectively as it should. While sump pumps are reliable in preventing flooding in most cases, they can still be susceptible to occasional issues including electrical failures, stuck switches, overworked pumps, or clogged or frozen pipes. If your sump pump is not working properly, it could be as good as not having a sump pump at all. Faulty sump pump maintenance could lead to flooding and subsequent damage to a structure and its contents. This damage could cost the property owner thousands of dollars in repairs, in addition to increasing flood insurance premiums. Moisture in the basement can also cause mold and mildew, which can be unsightly, hazardous to health, and expensive to remove. Cold, long winters especially can wreak havoc on and cause damage to mechanical items including sump pumps. After months of being in cold basements, sump pumps may not be ready to perform to capacity come spring. To avoid the possibility of undesirable spring flooding, you should conduct a sump pump maintenance check every so often, especially during this time of year. Below are some of the sump pump warning signs to look out for in the spring.

Spring Warning Signs

There is moisture in the basement: An influx of water after snow melt and increased rainfall can be too much for a sump pump that has been sitting idle all winter to handle. The presence of water in a basement is an obvious sign that a sump pump is not working correctly and needs to be inspected.

You notice a funny smell in your basement: An unusual odor in the area of the sump pump or your basement could indicate a presence of moisture-related mold or mildew. Moisture in the basement, of course, could indicate your sump pump is not working properly and needs to be checked out.

The sump pump is making unusual noises: It is normal for some sump pumps to make noise as they are functioning, but hearing noises that are especially loud or out of the ordinary is usually an indicator that something is wrong with your pump.

Your sump pump is running too often: If it seems like your sump pump is turning on and off frequently, or staying on for long periods of time, there may be too much water for your pump to handle. During the spring, rainfall and groundwater accumulation increases, which can add extra strain to your sump pump.

A professional will be able to locate, diagnose, and fix the issue within your sump pump. He or she may replace a part, replace the entire system, or install a secondary backup pump to accommodate rainfall demands. Sump pumps can experience these issues at any point in their lifespans of approximately ten years. Experts recommend sump pump maintenance at least annually and especially in the spring before rainfall becomes more frequent. So schedule a spring inspection today to ensure your sump pump is ready to serve you through spring rainfall and beyond.

Stay up to date with your sump pump and call McHale’s Plumbing for sump pump maintenance and stay ahead of the spring season!

By McHales