One of the best ways to protect your home during a Michigan winter is to make sure you keep your basement sump pump working properly. Sump pumps are designed to keep water out of basements, and you can use one along with other waterproofing measures to reduce the chances of dampness in your basement and crawl spaces. But do you know how to care for your sump pump, and would you know if it was failing? It’s important to be able to keep your sump pump running all through the winter months. Here’s what you need to consider to keep your home protected from water this winter.
Why You Should Check Your Sump Pump This Winter
Your sump pump is going to take water away from the basement. When water tries to get in and fills up the reservoir, the pump removes it. The more water there is, the more the pump runs, working to remove the water and keep your basement dry. It’s an important piece of equipment for many homeowners in parts of the country where winters can be very cold and damp. Fortunately, there are ways you can check this pump to make sure it’s performing well. But a lot of homeowners forget to do that. They only notice a problem when there’s standing water in their basement. You don’t have to let that happen to you.
Even if your home is cozy and warm, that little pump is down in the basement, doing its job. But it’s cold down there, and not a lot of heat radiates from your house. A well-insulated basement and home can help with that, but you still want to make sure the pump isn’t getting too cold. If it’s freezing outside, it shouldn’t be freezing in your basement. In some cases, a basement can get too cold and actually cause the sump pump to freeze. That can be a big problem and can lead to water backups and a number of other serious issues. Fortunately, checking your pump can help to ensure that you discover the problem early on.
How to Check Your Sump Pump
The best way to check your sump pump is first with a visual inspection. Look for anything that’s out of place or that might indicate the pump isn’t working the way it should be. If you find problems with the pump, that’s the time to take action. Don’t wait for something to break because that can be much more costly. Not only can it be expensive to replace or repair the pump after it breaks, but it can lead to water backup and related types of problems in your basement. That can result in mold, freezing and cracking concrete or mortar, and a number of other avoidable issues.
Rather than take that kind of risk, check your pump and make sure it’s operating the right way. Along with a visual inspection, you’ll want to see if your pump still works the way it should. The sound it makes should be typical for the pump and not strained. It should move water out of the area around it without a lot of effort, and water shouldn’t be pooling or backing up into that area. Additionally, your sump pump should come on when it’s supposed to and turn back off when its job is complete. A pump that’s not working properly should be examined right away so it can start working correctly again.
Warning Signs That Your Sump Pump Is Failing
Sump pumps that are failing aren’t always easy to notice, but there are some obvious issues to look out for. The most common way to tell if your pump isn’t working right is an increase of water in your basement. If you see water puddling or pooling, or you notice a higher level of dampness in the area, your sump pump might not be capable of removing that water efficiently or effectively. When that happens, there are serious concerns. Most notably, you want to get the water out of your basement and make sure the pump continues to do its job without you needing to check on it.
Another way to spot a failing sump pump is by checking its sound. A pump that’s not making a quiet, even sound when it runs could be telling you its motor isn’t working well anymore. These pumps don’t operate forever without maintenance, repair or replacement, so be aware of how long you’ve had the pump and any work that’s been done to it. If you’ve had the pump for years and it’s never been serviced, it’s probably a good time to have a professional company take a look at it. Repairing equipment that’s developing a problem is generally less expensive than replacing broken equipment.
How to Prevent Your Sump Pump From Failing
The single best way to make sure your sump pump doesn’t fail is to have it properly installed and maintained by a professional company. When you do that, you greatly reduce the chances that your pump will stop working unexpectedly. When it’s installed properly, it’s also generally under warranty. That means you can get it fixed, even if something goes wrong and it does break. That’s worth considering since a broken sump pump can quickly become a problem. But in addition to proper installation and maintenance, there are some ways you can make sure your sump pump is less likely to fail.
The intake and discharge lines should be insulated to prevent freezing, and you can help reduce the pump’s workload by making sure water drains away from your house. It’s also important to make sure the basement stays above 55 degrees so the pump doesn’t freeze. If you want to prolong the pump’s life, consider a larger discharge hose to make it easier for the pump to remove water. You’ll also want to install a backup battery in case the power goes out. By doing those simple things, you can help your sump pump last longer and work more efficiently.
Working With Professionals to Keep Your Basement Dry
Keeping your basement dry can be a full-time job for a sump pump. When you have good waterproofing, though, that job is easier. Contact us at Mobile Waterproofing, and let our 40-plus years of experience help you get the basement waterproofing and foundation repair you need. We’re located in Midland, Michigan, and we service all the surrounding areas. We also handle commercial applications, so reach out to us today, and make sure your basement is protected this winter.