According to residential remodeling experts, a sump pump is an important part of any American home. In fact, it’s usually the difference between having a dry basement and having a flooding disaster in your home. With that in mind, it’s important that your sump pump remains in good condition and in line with this, you need to know what mistakes to avoid when it comes to maintaining it, such as:

  1. Ignoring the Discharge Pipe – Sump pumps usually have a discharge pipe that are tightly connected and directed away from the foundation of your home. According to experts, one of the mistakes that you need to avoid is ignoring this discharge pipe as it might eventually sustain damage and clogs that can cause basement flooding due to slow or no drainage.

  2. Covering the Sump Pump – As much as possible, know where exactly your sump pump is located because if you forget, you might accidentally cover it and pile some objects on top of it. This can result in sump pump damage and limited accessibility. Therefore, when storing items in your basement, be sure to first locate the sump pump first to avoid this issue.

  3. DIY Installation – If you need to install a new sump pump in your home, avoid trying to install it yourself, especially if you’ve never installed one before. This is because if you make mistakes during the installation, you might wind up spending more just to rectify the problem. With that in mind, be sure to only hire a professional to install a new sump pump in your home to avoid the risks of faulty installation.

  4. Failing to Test the Sump Pump – When it comes to maintaining your sump pump, be sure to test it at least twice a year to ensure that it’s still in working condition. To test it, slowly pour water into the pump until it activates the switch. By doing so, you’ll be able to check if it empties slower than normal. If it does, check the pipe or the pump itself for clogs and other issues that a remodeling contractor can repair.

  5. Unplugging the Pump – If you ever remove the plug of your sump pump, experts strongly recommend that you don’t forget putting the plug back in as doing so can cause flooding in your basement. Alternatively, you should also avoid ever removing the plug to prevent this from occurring.

  6. No Backup Power – Sump pumps need power to work. Without it, they can shut down and cause a flood in your basement. This could be a problem in the event of a power outage during a storm and as such, make it a point to ensure that you have a backup power source like a generator so the sump pump continues to work even if the power is out in your home.

Need someone who can help you maintain your sump pump? Don’t hesitate to turn to Kingdom Restoration, the leading professionals to approach when it comes to remodeling and residential construction projects. Give us a call at (941) 483-3800 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today!