6 Must-Know Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

4/13/2018 (Permalink)

As a homeowner in Greeneville, TN, you may have a sump pump installed in your basement in case there is ever a flood. This piece of equipment sucks up water in your basement and directs it to your home's yard. If you have this piece of equipment, you need to make sure to maintain it properly. Without the proper maintenance, your pump may not be in working order when a flood does occur.

1. Clean Intake Screen: Three or four times a year, you should take the time to clean the intake screen of your pump. This cleaning can help make sure the screen is not clogged with sediment.
2. Check Pump's Electrical Source: Odd things can happen to the power cord of your pump. Whenever you clean the screen, you may want to make sure the device is plugged in and has power.
3. Clean the Pump: At least once a year, you should take the sump pump out of the sump and give it a thorough cleaning and inspection. This can help you find minor repair problems and fix clogs.
4. Apply Grease: Some pumps have bearings that need to be greased occasionally. You can check your owner's manual to determine if this step is right for you.
5. Clean the Sump: While the pump is out, you may also want to clean out the sump. This is usually done to keep sediment from blocking the water's path.
6. Test the Pump: Take a bucket of water and dump it into the sump. The float should rise and turn the pump on. If this doesn’t happen, you may need to have a professional take a look.

Pump maintenance is an important part of owning a sump pump. When storms or burst pipes cause flooding in your home, this piece of machinery plays an integral role in keeping the flood damage minimal. Working with a storm damage remediation team is another great way to reduce storm damage. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROgreenecounty.com/.