Sump Pump Maintenance

People who have a sump pump in their home will tell you they could not do without one. Like many other home appliances, a sump pump requires maintenance. If you want to know how to clean and maintain your sump pump to ensure its long life, then you’ve come to the right place!

It is often recommended that you do not clean the sump pump yourself but leave that task to someone who is qualified. However, you can pour white vinegar through the unit which will help eliminate any build-up in the system. Sump pumps have screens or openings where the water enters the pump. These sometimes get clogged and require cleaning by a professional.

Some manufacturers recommend the sump pump be run and tested every two to three months and others recommend that a yearly cleaning program be completed before the rainy season hits. If you follow the maintenance guide given by the manufacturer, your sump pump should last a very long time.

Below are some tips regarding sump pump maintenance:

• fill the sump pit with water to make sure the pump is working properly.
• go outside to check that the pump is actually discharging water (sometimes the pump will run but it won’t pump any water out).
• check that the operation of the float is not restricted.
• clean the air hole in the discharge line.
• listen for any strange noises coming from the motor.
• replace the battery on the back-up sump pump every second or third year.

Advanced Sump Pump Maintenance

Sump Pump Maintenance Tasks
The main benefit of having a sump pump in your home is that it alleviates the worry of accidental water damage. As long as a sump pump is in good working order, you should feel well protected. That being said, there are several sump pump maintenance tasks that should be performed to ensure that the pump is able to effectively do its job.

After Heavy Rainfall
A build up of debris in your sump pump is one of the major causes of sump pump failure. It is important that you check your inlet suction screen to make sure that there is no blockage. This sump pump maintenance routine should be performed every few months and especially after heavy or persistent rainfall.

Check the Motor
Once annually, it is necessary to check on the effective operation of the sump pump’s motor by pouring water into the drain area of the pump. If the pump is working well, the motor will turn on just as the float rises with the water level. You should repeat this procedure for a few cycles. Keep track of when you last performed this task as it is a very important part of your sump pump maintenance program.

Check Float
Ensure that the float of your sump pump is able to freely move. If the float is obstructed, your pump may fail to start. This task does not have to be performed regularly, but you should get in the habit of doing it every few months.

Verify Oil Seal
If you spot an oily film on the surface of the water in your sump pump, verify the condition of the oil seal. The appearance of oil probably indicates a faulty oil seal which may cause the motor to burn out.

Visual Check
In general, a sump pump does not require extensive maintenance. Most homeowners find it beneficial to do a visual check on the pump every few months. Once annually, it is important that a more thorough sump pump maintenance routine be performed. On the rare occasion of persistent rainfall, your sump pump should be monitored more often to ensure its smooth operation.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 6:58 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.