One of the most misunderstood pieces of plumbing equipment is the sump pump. However, when you fully understand how a sump pump works, as well as how to avoid these sump pump mistakes, you can be proud of your newfound knowledge. When something does go wrong with your sump pump, you will have a very good idea of how to fix it.
Here are some common sump pump mistakes and what you can do about them:
1. Improper Hose Placement
When using a sump pump, your hose needs positioning in a place that can suck up most of the water and pump it out to a safe area. It’s a good idea to place the hose in the lowest part of your basement and the exit hose at least 10-15 feet away from the home.
2. Setting the Pump Level Improperly
While you might need your sump multiple times throughout the year, you’re mostly going to need it in the early spring and parts of the winter. These are when heavy precipitation is more likely. Make sure it’s at the highest level during these times and the lowest when water isn’t as big of a problem.
3. No Battery Backup
While it might not seem essential to have a battery backup for your sump, it can lead to a disaster in some situations. For example, failure during a heavy rainstorm could cause your basement to flood, which obviously leads to serious problems that will take a long time to fix.
4. Poor Maintenance
A sump pump is just like any tool in your home in that it requires regular maintenance. Make sure the motor has a regular tune-up and that the hoses aren’t leaking any water. You might also need to lubricate the pump at least once a year.
Avoiding These Mistakes
It should be pretty simple for you to avoid making these sump pump mistakes. However, if you have already made a few and worry that they will affect your home, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our professional plumbing services at Smoak’s can provide you with the high-quality system your home deserves.